City Council opposes sheriff’s moratorium on law enforcement
Public Safety Officer Eric Wosick outlines the Norwalk Hazard Mitigation Plan that would minimize property damage and public health risks in an emergency. (Photo by Vincent Medina)
NORWALK – The Norwalk City Council expressed their frustration over LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s moratorium on the hire of LA County Sheriff deputies during Tuesday’s city hall meeting.
Councilwoman Jennifer Perez explained that Villanueva’s action prevents the hire of Sheriff deputies in the city. She explained that the move goes against Norwalk residents’ vote to increase the sales tax to fund public safety.
“I do not like being told what we can or cannot do here in our city,” said the councilwoman. “I’d like to ask our mayor and city manager to prepare a very strongly worded letter, and get involved with our city attorney, that we oppose this moratorium.”
“I would like for that to happen sooner rather than later.”
Councilmember Margarita Rios echoed Perez’s message, citing her experience as a law enforcement professional.
“I would like to take it a step further and let our county supervisors know that this is unacceptable,” said Rios. “I want everyone to understand the impact this has on our community and us.”
Mayor Rick Ramirez and the council later took the time to recognize LA County Sheriff Department Homicide Detective Grant Oberle, Sergeant Daniel Rodriguez, and Sergeant Julio Saldana for their work to keep the community safe.
After thanking city employees and volunteers for their hard work during the winter holiday events such as Angel Tree and Stuff A Bus, the council expressed their condolences to the family of Shannon and Ashley Alvarez. The mother and young daughter were killed in a violent car accident on Jan. 3.
The council stated they will work harder to ensure that Norwalk intersections are safe and analyze the Foster and Studebaker Road intersection issue.
Public Safety Lieutenant Eric Wosick addressed the council and explained the proposed adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Wosick detailed that the plan would help assess the risks and minimize property damage and public health risks during a natural or man-made disaster.
“As we update hazards, per the pandemic, we will be able to adapt to address any new issues,” said the public safety lieutenant. “We will also update the plan every five years.”
The council voted to pass the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Wosick continued to update the council on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city.
According to the LA County Department of Public Health, 429 people in Norwalk have died from COVID and 26,822 people in the city have tested positive for COVID since the start of the pandemic.
On Jan. 16, LA County found 43,883 new cases of COVID and 53 people died from the virus.
“We’ve seen a significant increase since my last update. Cases are 20 times higher than in December when there were 20,000 new cases a day,” said Wosick. “Hospitalizations and deaths are the main concern. We are averaging 600 hospitalizations per day from COVID, and 27% of people in the ICU from the virus are on ventilators.”
He says 25% of all ICU patients are COVID positive, and 80% of all ICU beds in the county are occupied.
Due to the limited space, Kaiser Hospital in Downey started to divert emergency room patients earlier this month.
Wosick and Ramirez continued to encourage vaccinations and emphasized the free vaccine site at the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex.
The mayor also updated the community on the mega COVID-19 testing site at the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Station.
The site will reduce its days of operation to six days a week, Mon. - Sat., from 7am - 7pm.
City facilities, such as the Norwalk Senior Center, will operate by appointment only and remain closed until Feb. 1.
“The Omicron variant is more contagious than previous strains of the virus,” said Wosick. “What we can do is preach to the masses to get vaccinated, follow the guidelines, wear a mask indoors, do all the correct steps to protect yourself and the community.”
The next city council meeting is on Feb. 1, at 6 pm.