EXCLUSIVE: La Mirada to Reconvene Gang and Drug Task Force
La Mirada~The City Manager has called for the reconvening of a community group that has sat idle in recent years.
Jeff Boynton told the La Mirada Blog the Gang and Drug Task Force, which existed for a number of years in the city in the past, will be reconvening beginning with the initial meeting last evening (Thursday).
Boynton told the LMB the group will include representatives from the “Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, Probation, School District, clergy, counseling services, and City staff.”
In the past the group met periodically to discuss general issues in the community, primarily involving youths, the idea being that the members of the group could serve as mentors and a resource for the kids.
No McKidding; Road May be Paved for McDonald’s to Replace The Carriage
La Mirada~Whatever you think of the concept, a McDonald's may be opening in La Mirada for the first time ever.
The La Mirada Blog has learned the La Mirada Planning Commission will be voting at its March 20th meeting whether or not to grant a McDonald's franchisee a conditional use permit to allow a drive-thru at the proposed new restaurant.
The meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:30 p.m.
La Mirada High Basketball Boys Fall
Santa Margarita~The La Mirada High Boys Basketball season came to an end Friday night falling to Santa Margarita 66-51, in the CIF Southern Section Division 3AA Semifinal.
The Matadores fell behind early 9-0 and never seemed to recover in front of a raucous crowd at Santa Margarita.
La Mirada ends the season with a overall record of 21-10 including going 10-2 in the Suburban League with their two losses to Mayfair who lost to Mater Dei 77-59 in the Cif-SS Open Division quarterfinal.
La Mirada Cub Scout Pack Hosts Annual Dinner and Show
La Mirada~Over 200 guests attended the Blue and Gold Dinner hosted by La Mirada Cub Scout Pack 919 this past Friday at Community Presbyterian Church of La Mirada.
Every February, packs across America celebrate the “birthday” of Scouting and it is the highlight of the year, bringing families together for an evening of fun and cheer.
The theme for the La Mirada pack event this year was Star Wars and included a silent auction, a bbq dinner and a live auction along with plenty of kids’ activities.
An entertainment show entitled the “Star Wars Extravaganza” included a laser battle that wowed the crowd.
The event serves as a major fundraiser for the pack with all funds, “going back to the pack,” said Sandra Green who serves as the pack city liaison and also helps organizes various events.
Parent Kati Dominguez told us, “This is certainly our biggest event and everyone gets really excited We have some really awesome parents who really go all out, so it makes it really nice.”
Cub Scouting is a year-round, family-oriented part of the Boy Scouts of America program designed for boys for boys who are in first through fifth grades (or are 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age promoting character development, good citizenship and personal achievement.
Cub Master Brandon VanScoy advised us the Scouts hand out flyers at local elementary schools every May and September in ”The Roundup” a program designed to inform the community about Scouting.
Anyone looking for more information about the La Mirada Cub Scout Pack including how to join may call (562) 310-3171 for more information.
Latest La Mirada Crime Report; Two Window Smashes on Santa Gertrudes
The following is the crime report for La Mirada for Feb. 17 - Feb. 23, 2014
Aggravated Assault-A domestic dispute was reported on the 14000 block of Estero Rd. The victim was punched and bitten their significant other.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 12700 block of Valley View Ave. No items were stolen from the location. A burglary occurred on the 15900 block of Alicante Rd. Miscellaneous food items were taken from the location.
Vehicle Burglary-Two separate window smash burglaries were reported on the 12000 block of Santa Gertrudes Ave. Purses were stolen from the vehicles in both incidents. A MP3 player and case was reported stolen from a vehicle on the 14400 block of Valley View Ave. A purse and tablet computers were stolen from a vehicle on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd.
Grand Theft-Cell phones were stolen from a business on the 14900 block of Imperial Hwy. Copper wiring was reported stolen from an electrical shed on the 14200 block of Imperial Hwy.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A vehicle reported stolen by the Long Beach Police Department was recovered on the 14400 block of Firestone Blvd.
La Mirada Remains as One of the Safest Cities in L.A. County
The City of La Mirada experienced one of the region's lowest crime rates in 2013 and remained one of the safest cities in Los Angeles County. The City's low crime rate is attributed to the strong partnership between residents, businesses and the Public Safety Team.
According to a recent crime analysis of surrounding communities in southeast Los Angeles and northern Orange County, La Mirada experienced the lowest number of Part 1 crimes last year. The amount of crimes committed has decreased by 34 percent in La Mirada over the past ten years.
Overall, there were 905 Part 1 crimes reported in La Mirada in 2013. Part 1 crimes include murder, larceny, burglary, automobile theft, robbery, assault, and arson. There was a slight increase in property theft and burglary crimes from 2012. Many of these cases were crimes of opportunity, where valuables were left in plain view, often in a parked vehicle. Other crimes, such as robbery and assault, decreased last year.
Girls & Boys Soccer, Boys Basketball All Advance in CIF for LM High
022614 20:10 UPDATE: The La Mirada High Boys Basketball team advanced to the Division 3AA semifinals with a thrilling 54-50 victory over visiting Palm Desert Tuesday. Bryson Laverde sealed the victory with two clutch free throws down the stretch. La Mirada will be playing in the semis for the first time since 2009 and only the fourth time in school history when they face number one seed Santa Margarita on the road Friday February 28th at 7 p.m.
The Boys Soccer team fell to Sierra Vista earlier in the day by a score of 3-0. The Mats end the season at 16-7-3.
In girls soccer, The number one seed in Division IV Lady Matadores were shocked Wednesday by Lancaster 3-1. The loss snapped the Mats 13-game winning streak and was the only second time this season the girls allowed an opponent more than two goals. The girls end the season at 25-2-1.
La Verne~The La Mirada High boys basketball team beat Bonita Friday night 48-34 in second round action to advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF Division 3AA Southern Section Playoffs.
The victory capped off a week in which the school went 4-0 in CIF action.
In the opening round on Tuesday the Matadores pummeled La Puente 65-41 behind Kendall Lauderdale’s 24 points and Vittorio Reynoso-Avila’s 13.
The Mats next take on Palm Desert in the quarter’s at home Tuesday February 25th starting at 7:00 p.m.
In other CIF action:
In Division 4, La Mirada High Boys Soccer (16-6-3) opened the playoffs at home this past Thursday with a 2-0 win over Bishop Amat.
The team advances to the second round where they will play on the road at Sierra Vista (21-0-2) on Tuesday February 25th. Game time is 5:00 p.m.
In Division 4, the La Mirada High Girls Soccer team (25-1-1, 12-0), continued their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Saddleback on Friday night at home.
The team advances to the second round where they will take a long road trip and play Lancaster on Wednesday February 26th at 3:00 p.m.
The Lady Mats have now won 13 games in a row after finishing 12-0 in the Suburban League. Their only loss of the season was to Mira Costa on December 28th.
In that 3-1 loss to Mira Costa it was the only time the Lady Mats have allowed more than one goal in a game and they have outscored their opponents 107-7 this season.
Neighborhood Watch Meeting Scheduled for West La Mirada
A Neighborhood Watch meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26th at 6 p.m. The meeting is for residents in Reporting District No. 0469. The meeting will be held at Foster Road Elementary School for residents who reside east of Marquardt Ave., south of Imperial Hwy., west of Valley View Ave., and north of Rosecrans Ave.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Curtis Jensen and the La Mirada Public Safety Team will address local crime issues and prevention tips.
City Council Recognizes Deputy for Number of DUI Related Arrests
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council recognized Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Blanca Creta at the City Council Meeting on Jan. 28 for her efforts to keep La Mirada roads safe through enforcement of DUI laws. Deputy Creta made 72 DUI related arrests in 2013.
"Deputy Creta's feat is a remarkable achievement and great for the City," explains Captain Curtis Jensen of Norwalk Sheriff's Station. "She has more DUI arrests than other Sheriff's Stations in the area alone."
Deputy Creta was also recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), who annually honors law enforcement officers who make 50 or more DUI arrests in a calendar year.
Playoff Week at La Mirada High
La Mirada~The CIF-SS high school playoffs begin this week with contests scheduled to take place at La Mirada High.
Tonight, boys basketball, led by third year head coach Bryce Jones, will take on La Puente after earning a first round home game.
The Mats are competing in Division 3-AA as a number five seed.
The Matadores (18-9, 10-2) finished in second place in the Suburban League, its only league losses coming at the hands of first place Mayfair.
The Warriors (13-12, 10-4) finished in third place in the Montview League. Game time is 7:00
Thursday, La Mirada boys soccer earned a first round home game and are competing in Division 4. They host Bishop Amat beginning at 3 p.m.
Friday, La Mirada girls soccer competes in Division 4 as the number one seed after finishing 12-0 in the Suburban League. They will host the winner of today's Don Lugo/Saddleback contest. Fridays game at La Mirada High starts at 5 p.m.