LOS CERRITOS
Serving Cerritos and ten other surrounding communities • October 30, 2020 • Vol 35, No. 10 • loscerritosnews.net
Armed Robber Hits Cerritos' Trader Joe’s, Suspect Still At Large
Hahn Approves Four Motel Conversions in District
BY BRIAN HEWS The Trader Joe’s in Cerritos Towne Center near the 91 freeway was robbed this past Thursday by a brazen armed gunman. According to the Cerritos Sheriff’s Incident Report, the robbery occurred ten minutes before closing time, approximately 8:50 p.m., when an unidentified male walked into the store pointed a gun at the manager and demanded money. The manager, fearing for his safety and the safety of others, handed over $1,000 in cash to the robber. The robber then exited the store “in an unknown direction,” it was also not known if he used a car to flee the scene. Cerritos Sheriff’s indicated they responded within one minute of the distress call with units and the SkyKnight helicopter, initiated a massive search, but were unable to apprehend the robber. The sheriffs stated that the robber is believed to have has committed similar robberies in the area. An investigation is underway, anyone with information can call the sheriff’s anonymously at 562-860-0044.
BY BRIAN HEWS
THE FOUR MOTELS will be converted to affordable apartment units with wraparound services for formerly homeless residents. BY BRIAN HEWS This week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn approved plans to purchase four motels in her district and convert them to supportive housing units for formerly homeless residents. The projects are part of the state’s Project Homekey effort to protect the state’s homeless residents who are at high risk
for serious illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are in the middle of dual crises-an ongoing homeless crisis and a pandemic that threatens the lives of people living on our streets,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We need to act with the urgency that both crises demand. With the State’s funding and support, we are transforming
See MOTELS page 11
Board and GM Continue Rehab of Artesia Cemetery
New Murals Coming to Bellflower Underpass BY TAMMYE MCDUFF The Bellflower City Council, at its October 12 meeting, approved two locations for new murals. The first location is at Town Center Plaza, on the tower between Hambones Bar and Grill and the Stand Up Club; and the second location at the Lakewood Boulevard and 91 Freeway under pass. Mural artwork designs were presented to City Council October 26 for review and discussion. The proposed cost for both murals at the mentioned locations is $35,000 and $40,000. There is sufficient funding for the project already allocated in the Economic Development Account. City Staff has been in discussions with the artist Dave Van Patten for both murals
See MURALS page 4
Superspreader event caught at local park in Cerritos. Page 2.
Los Cerritos Center and LASD Prepare for Election Night Unrest
FIXING FINANCES AND HEADSTONES: Cemetery GM Tony Mendoza (left) directing the placement of a headstone at the cemetery. Mendoza and the new board are directing many changes at the grounds and plan to hold touring events soon. BY TAMMYE MCDUFF “I have some really big plans for Artesia Cemetery District,” stated General Manager Tony Mendoza “The staff and I are working on a strategic plan and are hoping include events that will engage the community.” When Mendoza took the General Manager position for the District last year, the
OP/ED What has happened to the Republican party? See page 4.
Holiday wreath fundraiser for Bellflower families. See page 5.
cemetery grounds had not been kept up, missing grave markers, historic headstones broken or destroyed and a slew of mismanaged financing were at the top of the list to be investigated and corrected. But after just a little over a year, Mendoza has been able to bring about change. When Mendoza took over, he was immediately bullied by the President of the
As election day approaches, and with the potential of increased demonstration and protest activity across the region, the Los Cerritos Center is making plans with the LASD and businesses for possible civil unrest activity next week. Every LASD station will be on tactical alert between Nov. 1 and Nov.9 also.
See UNREST page 13
Contentious Props. Mark the General Election Ballot BY BALA THENAPPAN The 2020 general election is just 4 days away - here is HMG’s overview of 5 of the most contentious propositions on the ballot. Prop 22 - App-Based Drivers Summary: A “yes” on 22 is a vote in favor of exempting app-based drivers, most notably those working for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, from AB-5. Passed by the state legislature last year, AB-5 classifies several types of workers, including app based drivers, as employees rather than independent contractors. Companies must pay employees the minimum wage and provide them with all benefits mandated by California law - the same regulations do not apply to independent contractors. Prop 22 does include a provision that would require rideshare companies to provide their drivers with some benefits, including healthcare subsidies and accident insurance - but not the full range of benefits that they would be required to cover if the drivers were considered employees. Polling: An LA Times online poll, conducted in October, found 46% of likely voters to be in favor of prop 22 and 42% to be against it (remaining voters are undecided). Prop 16 - Affirmative Action Summary: A “yes” on 16 is a vote in favor of eliminating California’s ban on affirmative action, which has been in place since the passage of prop 209 in 1996. If approved, prop 16 would allow public universities to give a preference to applicants
See CEMETERYpage 10
Cerritos and La Mirada crime summaries, man pulls knife in Cerritos. See page 7.
Barrel & Stave brings self-pour to Downtown Fullerton’s SOCO district. See page 8.
See PROPS page 10
Improvements at Ecology and El Rancho Verde parks in Cerritos. Page13.