La Mirada Blog
Articles by City Services
New Year Ushers in New Operating Hours for Community Sheriff Station
La Mirada~On Jan. 1, 2014, the La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station implemented new operating hours. The new hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. The Station will be closed on all major holidays, except the 4th of July.
The La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station opened in 2001 to provide residents and businesses access to law enforcement and safety resources that were offered at Norwalk Sheriff's Station. The Station was remodeled in 2008 to enhance service to the community.
Public Safety services available to the public include vehicle releases, non-emergent police reports, Sheriff's calls for service, custody exchanges, Juvenile Probation services, District Attorney requests, and Detective interviews. Other services include bicycle licenses, garage sale permits, preferential parking permits, vacation and security checks, no-cite requests, citation corrections, Animal Control requests, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
Contact the La Mirada Public Safety Team at the Community Sheriff's Station by calling (562) 902-2960. During non-operating hours, calls are forwarded to the Norwalk Sheriff's Station. Residents should call 911 for all emergency related calls.
Deputies Nab Second Half of Alleged Gagely Drive Husband/Wife Burglary Team
La Mirada~On Jan. 3, Sheriff's Deputies from the La Mirada Special Assignment Officer (SAO) Team arrested a female suspect wanted in connection with a string of vehicle burglaries on Gagely Dr.
The arrest comes after recent reports from local residents of increased crime and suspicious persons loitering in the area. The SAO Team had been conducting patrol checks of the area since December to gather intelligence.
This arrest was related to the SAO Team's attempt to locate suspects who were burglarizing vehicles on Gagely Dr. and other areas of the community. It is suspected she was burglarizing the vehicles with her husband, who is already in custody.
Residents are encouraged to continue to contact the La Mirada Public Safety Team at (562) 902-2960 to report criminal activity or suspicious circumstances.
La Mirada Crime Report November 4-10
Aggravated Assault-An assault occurred on the 15000 block of Imperial Hwy. Three suspects were taken into custody after a physical altercation erupted with a male victim in the parking lot of a local business. The suspects had fled the scene, but were eventually apprehended. The investigation is ongoing.
Residential Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15100 block of Cheshire St. It remains unknown if any property was taken. An incident occurred on the 14300 block of Elmrock Ave. Jewelry and a laptop computer were stolen from the home.
Vehicle Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 14900 block of Gagely Ave. Various items were taken. A window smash burglary was reported on the 15200 block of Santa Gertrudes Ave. A bag containing cosmetics and an e-book were stolen.
Be Aware of Scammers Posing as Utility Workers in La Mirada
La Mirada~The La Mirada Public Safety Team is reminding residents to be aware of various scams targeting utility customers. Recent incidents include scams that demand immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills or false requests to leave your residence for a utility-related cause to commit burglary.
In a recent incident on Nov. 10, two males knocked on the door of a house in La Mirada. Refusing to show identification or work orders, the imposters claimed they were from Southern California Edison (SCE) and instructed the residents to vacate the home immediately due to downed power lines affecting their property.
Confused, the residents eventually complied and moved to the backyard. Only after growing suspicious did the residents call 911. The burglars fled the scene before Sheriff's Deputies could arrive. Fortunately, no property was taken.
Residents should always ask for identification when a stranger comes to the door or calls claiming to be a utility worker. SCE utility workers particularly will provide verification, including their department and phone number, when asked.
Gang Member Armed With Assault Rifle Arrested in La Mirada
La Mirada~Deputies from the City's Special Assignment Officers (SAO) team apprehended a confirmed gang member from a neighboring area in La Mirada on Oct. 23. The suspect was armed with a Ruger Mini 14 assault rifle slung across his chest, concealed beneath his clothing.
Working on a tip from a neighboring law enforcement agency, the SAO Deputies spotted the suspected gang member driving southbound on La Mirada Blvd. After conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of La Mirada Blvd. and Imperial Hwy., Deputies quickly moved in on the suspect and two other passengers suspecting he was armed.
During the investigation, Deputies discovered the suspect also had a high capacity magazine loaded with nearly 20 live rounds in one pocket, and methamphetamine in another pocket.
The suspect was arrested for possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm.
Residents May Apply to Serve on City Charter Exploratory Committee
The City Council established the City Charter Exploratory Committee during their August 27th meeting. The five member committee will be charged with reviewing the potential advantages of becoming a charter city and preparing a draft charter for the Council’s consideration.
Applications will be accepted for those interested in serving on the City Charter Exploratory Committee until September 20. Committee members must be at least 18 years old, United States citizens and residents of La Mirada.
The City Charter Exploratory Committee will meet at least monthly, or more often if needed, to review charter city issues and draft the proposed city charter. The committee will explore the differences between charter cities and general law cities, review municipal affairs over which charter cities have authority, identify advantages of becoming a charter city, discuss charter contents, and prepare a draft city charter.
There are currently 121 charter cities in California, including nearby Buena Park, Cerritos and Whittier.
“Charter cities work under the home-rule provision of the state constitution,” says City Manager Designee Jeff Boynton. “This committee will be looking at whether a charter could increase local control and provide other benefits for La Mirada.”
Residents interested in serving on the committee may complete an application and submit it to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20. Applications are available at City Hall and on the City’s website www.cityoflamirada.org.
Sidewalk Improvements Continue Along Santa Gertrudes
La Mirada~Sidewalk improvements along a large stretch of Santa Gertrudes Avenue in La Mirada, from Lemon Drive to Rosecrans Avenue, continue this week. The project was approved by the City Council earlier this year and is part of an aggressive plan to repair La Mirada’s infrastructure over the next several years.
“The sidewalk will be completely removed and replaced with a new layout scheme and landscaping,” says Public Works Manager Gary Sanui. “Overgrown ficus trees and their roots caused most of the damage to the pavement, and will be removed also.”
The new sidewalk path will feature an attractive walkway with alternating landscape strips of camphor street trees and plants, an automatic irrigation system, and new curb access ramps to meet current state and federal regulations. Damaged sections of curb, gutter, and street pavement will also be replaced.
Kasa Construction, Inc. was awarded the construction contract in March with a bid of $794,657. The company has successfully completed similar construction projects for the City in the past. The project is scheduled for completion later next month.
La Mirada Honors Military Members With Blue Star Banners
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council honored two city residents serving in the U.S. Army and their family members during a Blue Star Banner presentation at the Council meeting on Tuesday.
U.S. Army Privates Alexandra and Taylor Ramirez are twin sisters who enlisted in the Army together in December 2012. They were raised in La Mirada and attended Gardenhill Elementary School, Hutchinson Middle School and La Mirada High School.
After attending boot camp in Oklahoma, the sisters were transferred to the Army training center at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to complete their advanced individual
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| Delaine Powers accepts a Blue Star Banner from Mayor Steve DeRuse at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Powers has twin daughters serving in the United States Army |
training to become Military Police.
Alexandra and Taylor’s mother, Delaine Powers, attended the council meeting and was presented with the Blue Star banners in honor of her daughters’ service to our country.
The Blue Star program originated during World War I as a way for families to indicate that a loved one was serving in the military by displaying a Blue Star Banner in the front window of their homes. This practice continues today throughout the country as a way for families and their community to honor those currently serving.
La Mirada has recognized 70 service men and women and their families through the City’s Blue Star Program.
La Mirada residents with family members serving in the military, including activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, can complete an application form on the City’s website and receive a Blue Star poster in the mail to display in your home. Also, the service member’s name, picture and rank will be displayed on the City’s website.
For more information, call (562) 943-1031 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org.
La Mirada Kicks Off Summer Concert Series
La Mirada's summer concert series begins tonight, Thursday, July 11, at La Mirada Regional Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Tonight's concert features World Tour: Legends of Rock playing your favorite classic rock cover songs. Fans of classic rock bands such as Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, Journey, and AC/DC won't want to miss World Tour: Legends of Rock!
Great food will be available for purchase and children can enjoy a variety of activities, so bring the whole family.
Concerts Under the Stars will be held every Thursday, July 11 through August 29, at La Mirada Regional Park. The Stroll in the Park will be held Thursday, July 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Creek Park.
Alondra Boulevard/I-5 Bridge to Close for Over a Year Beginning Sunday, June 9th
Santa Fe Springs~The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the Alondra Boulevard bridge over the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) beginning Sunday, June 9, at 9 p.m.
The street will remain fully closed until mid-to-late 2014, likely impacting the traffic in La Mirada.
The closure is part of the I-5 South Corridor Improvement Project, a $1.6 billion investment along 6.7 miles of the I-5 between the Los Angeles County/Orange County line and the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605). The project will widen the freeway, adding one carpool lane and one general purpose lane in each direction, and provide new safety features and other improvements.
The 57-year-old Alondra Boulevard Bridge will be reconstructed to accommodate a wider I-5 freeway. The new bridge will be widened from four lanes to six lanes, with three lanes in each direction. Retaining wall construction and roadway improvements will be made along Alondra Boulevard.
The Alondra Bridge demolition will take place during nighttime work over six weekends with three weekends of demolition work scheduled for each half of the bridge. The demolition work is scheduled to begin on Friday night, June 14, and continue during weekends through July.
Overnight, directional full-closures on the I-5 between Valley View Avenue and Carmenita Road will occur during the bridge demolition. One direction of the I-5 will fully close each night while the other direction will remain open to traffic.
The northbound I-5 on-ramp at Alondra Boulevard will close beginning Monday, June 10, at 12:01 a.m. Local commuters are encouraged to use the marked detours on Valley View Avenue, Artesia Boulevard, and Carmenita Road and to allow extra time to reach their destination.
Click Alondra Detour for a map of the project area.
For more information visit www.I-5info.com or call the toll-free hotline at (855) 454-6335.
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