Downey Police Department

Just wanted to remind everyone that there will be street sweeping enforcement on President's Day, Monday February 15, 2021.

During the month of February, officers will be conducting directed enforcement looking for violations which make the roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. While on patrol, Motor Officers Matute and Olivares came across this new cyclist wearing a helmet, elbow pads and gloves while riding her new bike. Great job!

The Downey Police Department will be conducting roving DUI patrols during the month of February. As restaurants and outdoor dining open back up, please remember to designate a driver or use your favorite rideshare!

Congratulations to Detective Estrada on your promotion to Corporal.

This morning students from Downey Family Homeschool stopped by the police station to pass along their appreciation to members of the Downey Police Department and drop off a handmade card and delicious snacks for our staff to enjoy. The time spent together was truly appreciated by our personnel. It’s always nice to spend time with members of the community, albeit is a safe manner due to COVID, and we would like to thank Downey Family Homeschool for their kindness.

Last night, while many of you were still sleeping, the Downey Police Department’s graveyard shift was out doing their best to keep our community safe and protect the property of those we serve. As an example of their efforts, early this morning Corporal Hernandez was proactively patrolling the residential areas around Brookshire Avenue and Cleta Street when he spotted two men working their way underneath a parked vehicle. The two had tools and saws with them and they were ...about to cut off and steal the vehicle’s catalytic converter. Corporal Hernandez was able to take the two into custody and caught them before they were able to do any damage to the vehicle. The two males, adult residents of Los Angeles, were booked for vehicle tampering. Just as Corporal Hernandez saw something suspicious and took action, so can you by alerting us. In the event you see something suspicious yourself, please help us by calling the police department. Alert communities play a critical role in keeping our city safe and if you see something, please say something.

Thank you to all of the officers and community who came out to the 2020 Downey Candy Crawl! We had a blast!

Thank you to everyone that participated in making this a successful Drug Take-Back event.

Come bring your unused prescription drugs for disposal today from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. No needles or glass items will be accepted.

On Saturday, October 24th, 2020, from 10am - 2pm, the Downey Police Department, in partnership with the DEA is hosting a Drug Take-Back event in the West parking lot at the station.

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY OPERATION PLANNED FOR OCTOBER The Downey Police Department will conduct a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation during the month of October aimed at keeping people who need to go out to exercise or run essential errands safe. While the COVID-19 pandemic is requiring residents to stay home as much as possible, the Downey Police Department recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers ...and pedestrians that make roads unsafe. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other traffic violation. Officers will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers. Just because there’s less traffic doesn’t mean traffic rules go out the window, Chief Dean Milligan said. To protect you and your family, we want to make sure those that are out are following rules intended to keep them safe. Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed is up nearly 25 percent over the past five years. In 2019, the Downey Police Department investigated 3 fatal and 97 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians. To keep you and your family safe, the Downey Police Department offers the following tips when out biking, driving or walking: PEDESTRIANS Only cross at marked crosswalks or intersections with a stop sign or signal. Look for cars backing up. Avoid going between parked cars. Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume they see you. Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night. DRIVERS Wait for pedestrians to cross the street. Be courteous and patient. Stay off the phone. Follow the speed limit. Look for pedestrians when backing up or turning. BICYCLISTS Always wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18. Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle. Everyone who is out is reminded to practice physical distancing measures, when feasible, staying at least six feet away from others. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

** Illegal Gambling Operation ** At approximately noon on October 16, 2020, the Downey Police Department served search warrants at two businesses in a strip mall at the northeast corner of Paramount Boulevard and Imperial Highway. An on-going criminal investigation into illegal gambling and gang activity in the area led to the discovery of a gambling operation at Vikum’s 2am Liquor (8035 Imperial Highway) and in a neighboring vacant business (8041 Imperial). As a result of the search warrants, detectives seized cash, 2 gaming machines, and a large quantity of pre-paid credit cards. The owner of Vikum’s Liquor was arrested and booked for operating an illegal gambling establishment.

Earlier this morning, employees of the Downey Police Department joined millions of other people with Drop, Cover, and Hold On in The Great ShakeOut, the world's largest earthquake drill. Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work, or travel. The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your family, and our community. Why is a ...Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill important? To respond quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down, or something falls on you. Learn more at www.shakeout.org.

** Downey Police Department Conducting DUI Patrols ** Additional officers from the Downey Police Department will be out on patrol during the month of October looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Downey Police Department is committed to keeping the public safe when they need to run essential errands.... As our Chief of Police Dean Milligan notes, Safety is paramount, but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all in this together and want everyone to be as safe as possible when they are out. One way to do that is by not driving impaired. The Downey Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or operating heavy machinery, which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home. Driving sober is your safest bet. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI will pay a stiff price: an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Downey Police Department will be wearing their pink patches in support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Pink Patch Project. Although we will not be selling any patches or shirts due to Covid-19, you could donate directly through the Pink Patch Project website. https://pinkpatchproject.com/

** Auto theft arrests ** Yesterday morning, a work truck was stolen from the 9400 block of Imperial Highway. Detectives following up on the case were able to locate the truck in the City of Compton where a number of people were stripping the vehicle of its equipment. Downey detectives detained the individuals and the subsequent on scene investigation revealed there were an additional five stolen vehicles and one stolen trailer at the location as well. Detectives ultimately concluded these individuals were a part of an auto theft ring stealing vehicles from around the area. Downey detectives arrested three individuals (all were adult male residents of Compton and Paramount) and they were booked on felony auto theft related charges. All stolen vehicles were recovered for return to their rightful owners.