Norwalk “is moving forward” says Mayor at State of the City address
Photo courtesy City of Norwalk
NORWALK - After a busy year in 2019, Norwalk looks to continue its momentum through the next year.
Residents and members of the business community gathered at the DoubleTree hotel last Friday, eager to see how the city faired over the past year.
The first speaker of the afternoon was Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Caren Spilsbury, who described 2019 as “a busy year,” highlighting the State of the State, State of the Nation, Annual Business Expo, Paint the Town Pink, Small Business Saturday, and various ribbon cutting / grand opening events.
Spilsbury also encouraged those in attendance to continue to shop and dine locally as opposed to other cities.
“Remember to shop local,” said Spilsbury. “When you go to other cities, you’re taking those resources somewhere else. Those resources aren’t here anymore to support the community, to support the residents, to support the businesses.
“Next time you want to eat out, go to Outback. Go to Chick-fil-a. Go to Panera Bread. Go to IHop. Go Somewhere local. When you want to get groceries, go to Grocery Outlet, go to Stater Brothers. Shop local, because that is what is going to continue to allow this city to provide the needs and resources they do, and continue to support local businesses.”
LA County Sheriff’s Captain James Tatreau followed Spilsbury, giving an update on public safety in Norwalk over the last year.
According to information presented by Tatreau, the Sheriff’s Department saw several improvements over 2019, including a 19 percent increase in arrests and a 33 percent decrease in citizen complaints.
“It takes everyone; it’s a group effort. It doesn’t happen by accident,” said Tatreau. “This has been a great effort between the city. Mayor [Margarita] Rios’s priority of public safety being number one, we appreciate that dedication and support.”
“Norwalk Public Safety, they’ve been a great partner to us; they help us a lot and it’s nice to have them as a partner.”
Norwalk also saw a significant decrease in the number of major crimes, such as homicide, rape, arson, burglary, robbery, grand theft auto, etc.
“Norwalk station finished this past year with minus 16 plus percent in the down direction; that’s huge,” said Tatreau.
Tatreau added that this was the second biggest reduction in such crimes out of over 40 patrol stations in the county.
The main event of the afternoon came from Mayor Rios, who gave updates on city dealings as a whole over the last year.
According to Rios, the city focused on public safety, diversifying and improving businesses, improving streets and infrastructure, and expanding community programing.
She also highlighted the city’s 2020 census outreach.
“We also made history becoming the first in the state to launch a comprehensive 2020 campaign, said Rios. “This campaign featured bus and vehicle wraps, as well as a robust community outreach.”
Rios also gave some peeks into future city infrastructure plans, including completion of the LED streetlight project, traffic street improvement projects on Rosecrans, Studebaker Road, and San Antonio Boulevard, increased engagement to neighborhood block watch meetings, hosting more coffee with a cop and block party events, and continuing to work closely with Athens Waste Services to add more waste management trucks and identify hotspots of illegal dumping.
The Parks and Recreation Department will also be on the receiving end of several projects this year.
“This year, residents and stakeholders will also see additional projects such as the replacement of all wood floors inside the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex, resurfacing of the pool deck at the aquatic pavilion…and the installation of field lights at Gerdes Park,” said Rios.
Rios concluded her comments by saying “Norwalk is ready.”
“I hope you’ll continue to pay attention and learn about our efforts,” said Rios. “I’m really excited about everything that’s going on…We want you to help us spread the message that Norwalk is moving forward.”