Southeast/ Long Beach : TAKING IT TO THE STREETS
Considering that they didn’t dial 911, Norwalk residents will probably be glad that it only took the city three months to heed their call for more community-based policing.
The first of two community policing centers is to be opened today by city public safety officials, who say the facility is an answer to recent community calls for localized law enforcement.
Located at 10931 Firestone Blvd. in the 605 Shopping Center, the new facility will handle local issues such as Neighborhood Watch programs, parole reporting, truancy and vandalism. The second facility, planned to open next month at 14429 Pioneer Blvd. in Wong’s Market Shopping Center, will serve similar needs. Both shopping centers are providing free rent.
Norwalk business and Neighborhood Watch groups suggested the police centers earlier this summer as a way to make law enforcement more responsive to community needs. The Firestone center will house six county sheriff’s deputies, city public safety staff and volunteers.
Until now, residents took their concerns to the Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Norwalk at 12335 Civic Center Dr., about three miles from the new center. In addition to its proximity to some neighborhoods, the center will add a “personalized touch” to law enforcement, said Kevin Gano, Norwalk public safety director.
“The kids are going to know that their probation officers are just right around the corner,” Gano said.
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