Agustin Estrada
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Verenis Vidales B–
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 12:18 PM
Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Possible Street Name Changes
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The Downey Patriot just posted that you will be considering a name change to some streets here in Downey, near downtown?? Please leave it alone. Do not make changes. I grew up in Boyle Heights where they changed Brooklyn Avenue to Cesar Chavez. I still, to this day call it Brooklyn. Like so many of the people that grew up there. Don’t change it. Think of the headache you will give so many people. Spend money of something more meaningful. Please!!!! Thank you for your time.
Verenis V.
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Agustin Estrada
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Vileana De La Rosa i
Thursday, May 23, 2024 2:56 PM
Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Public Comment for Downey City Council from Vileana De la Rosa (life long resident) Follow Up Flag:
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Hello,
Please submit the following comments to city council:
Good evening, Downey City Council. My name is Vileana De La Rosa, a born and raised (Rio Hondo Hospital, now defunct) resident of Downey and a public health professional (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
I want to both express my concerns over the regressive social, cultural, and political climate which is overtaking Downey city council’s neutral flag policy. This policy is reactionary and is a step back from the progress the city has been making to support LGBTQ+ rights. For me, this indicates weakness in the city’s leadership to stand as advocates and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. The fear motivated decision to adopt a neutral flag policy demonstrates deep internalized sexism and homophobia. I am concerned about the message this sends to youth, that it is not okay to identify as LGBTQ+ and how this affects the cultural and political climate of Downey. This policy also demonstrates a culture of sexism and heteronormativity, in which the message it sends to youth is that it is not ok to be anything other than heterosexual.
The reasoning for the neutral flag policy is also outrageously sexist and hypocritical, especially since the message it sends to young women and girls is that it is not acceptable to be gay, but it is acceptable to be sexually objectified as a woman in exchange for wages and tips, as we see at the infamous “breastaurant” open across the street from Downey High School (where I attended and graduated from). Now, if we are so concerned about what decisions are affecting the climate in which we raise youth, why don’t we start to examine the sexist and macho environment where we currently raise our youth in? Why is the city invested in petty anti-woke politics rather than addressing community health and safety? How is our city leadership going to demonstrate that we care about the issues affecting youth, LGBTQ+ community, and women in this city? Warm regards,
Vileana De La Rosa
Vileana De La Rosa
Agustin Estrada
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Tuesday, May 28, 2024 12:40 PM
Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Special Council Meeting May 20, 2024, Downey Resident Comment for Mayor/City Council, agenda item review
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Good afternoon Mayor/Councilmembers,
This Downey Resident comment is in reference to the Special Council meeting on 5/20/2024, specifically on the presentation on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Order of Proposed Budget presentation.
During the Police Department's presentation the first bullet point {Implemented a formalized training p San for a// department personnel) was skipped and the presentation ensued to the second bullet point (Digital evidence collection programI Would the council ensure that the first bullet point is disclosed to residents in a following meeting or advise where we can view this formalized training indicated within the skipped bullet point. It is essential that transparency related to the much needed update to the current Department Manual, which is dated (seemingly reflecting decade or longer revisions) in order to improve the quality of life within Our City (as it pertains td how officers will protect and serve our community with professionalism and diligence).
Also, due to the recent decision by the council to rescind the flying of the Pride Flag which was initially set in place to embrace diversity & inclusivity, there needs to be discussions on how our Public resources will evolve with the times, to train personnel to better interact with LGBTQIA Residents/Visitors and Businesses, when enforcing Law Enforcement duties. The current training manual on the department's website appears dated and lacks any visible metrics to gauge officers during their training (online training manual) when interacting with such groups (proper utilization of pronouns, search procedures with persons based on gender identity, etc). Other Police Departments have brought their training manuals up to date/current in these areas and so should ours, in an effort to respect quality of life for these marginalized groups and especially after the rescinding of the flying of a the Pride flag, which as many agree throughout the city and visible in letters to the editor within Downey Patriot, that it is seen as a step backwards. (notable contributors against the rescinding include, Congressmember Robert Garcia, Congressmember Linda Sanchez, Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco & LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn,.
Finally, if the City is looking to hire new officers and especially lateral Officers, it needs to be at the forefront of their training and assessment period to promote respect for all within the community and embrace diversity by actions, words and in their daily function, as persons sworn to protect our City and interests..
Note: Downey discussion should elaborate on the Police Dept. as it has done so, with the Fire Dept. It is common knowledge that Our Police Department has endured several scandals & lawsuits due to misconduct by some Officers, within the last few years (as indicated within the major media outlets) and we need to be proactive and ensure Citizen/Resident's feedback is not guided or directed to a specific set of possible questions.
Thank you,
Downey Resident District 4
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