Cerritos police report drops in many crimes but warn of homicide rise and large gatherings
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Summary
Captain Strong reported to the committee that overall Part I crime is down nearly 29% year‑to‑date, including major declines in burglaries and shoplifting, but said homicides increased from one last year to six this year; officers also discussed a large recent gathering and urged residents to report suspicious activity.
Cerritos law enforcement presented the committee with a mixed public‑safety picture on Jan. 21: significant declines in many property and theft categories alongside a troubling increase in homicides.
"Currently, there's been 6 homicides year to date in the city compared to 1 last year," Captain Strong said, adding that most of the homicides are solved but detectives are continuing work on cases in riverbed areas.
Strong said violent crime overall is down about 27.7% and cited category drops including armed robberies down 33%, strong‑arm robberies down 25%, shoplifting down 57% and residential burglaries down 36% (201 last year to 127 this year). He credited targeted enforcement and, in part, a contracted security detail, Southwest Patrol, for helping suppress residential burglary.
Officers described one recent enforcement operation that led to apprehension of suspects in a burglary crew and encouraged residents to report suspicious surveillance devices; Strong described a recovered camouflage camera found in a tree with its own battery pack.
The department also discussed a recent large gathering near Studebaker and Artesia that required a multi‑agency response; officers estimated about 1,000 people and a few hundred vehicles at the event and said deputies issued citations for illegal parking and coordinated with county parks to be notified earlier about future events.
Sergeant Neil Whelan briefed the committee on traffic enforcement. He said traffic incidents rose 10–15% in recent months, noted the department continues targeted enforcement for reckless driving, and outlined state and local changes such as school zones moving to 20 mph and new ebike lighting and rear‑reflector requirements.
Public commenters raised a persistent neighborhood safety concern involving a neighbor identified by residents as "Daniel." Multiple residents described harassment, property theft and an assault on Dec. 23 that left a neighbor injured. Beverly Grismer said, "When you see Daniel coming, you go the other direction or you go into your house and lock your door." Ellen Rojales described the scene as "a bloody scene that day" and said the family has been shaken.
A captain responding to public comment said the individual is in custody and has been charged by the district attorney with assault with a deadly weapon (hands, feet or fists) and is awaiting a court date in February; the officer urged residents to report every incident and recommended civil restraining orders where appropriate.
Committee members also discussed catalytic‑converter thefts and mail theft. Officers encouraged reporting every theft, suggested VIN‑etching events for catalytic converters, and recommended property‑hardening measures such as exterior lighting and visible alarms.
The committee voted to receive and file the police report at the meeting.
