Fireworks Prohibited

On March 27, 2007, the City Council upheld the ban of fireworks within the City of Whittier. The ban prohibits anyone from possessing, selling, and igniting any type of fireworks in the city. Based on the prohibition of fireworks, the Whittier Police Department will actively enforce the city ordinance starting June 28, 2007 through July 4, 2007, through the deployment of extra personnel during the holiday season. Eight officers per day will exclusively handle calls pertaining to fireworks. Violations of the ordinance are subject to citation and a $1,000.00 fine.

To remind residents and visitors in the city of the fireworks ban, signs have been posted at entrances into the city. However, the City of Whittier is encouraging citizens to attend the Fourth of July picnic at Joe Miller Field from 11:00 am to 3pm. The picnic will feature old-fashioned games, music, and crafts. Joe Miller Field is located at 7630 Washington Avenue.

Tagger Arrested in Uptown

On June June 19, 2007 at 1:15 a.m., the Whittier Police Department received a phone call from an anonymous witness who said that they had observed a male walking in the area of Philadelphia St. and Comstock Ave. who was using a spray can to vandalize several buildings. Officers detained and later arrested 25 year old, Marcus Borjon, of Whittier, for vandalism. Borjon admitted to a total of thirteen different vandalisms to various business buildings in the area. The damages is estimated at approximately $1,900. Borjon is currently in custody at the Whittier Police Department Jail and his bail is set at $5,000.

City of Whittier Employee Arrested

A City of Whittier employee was arrested for embezzlement on January 10, 2007. Ira Moreland, 33 years of age, a resident of Riverside, worked as an acting supervisor for the solid waste department for the city. The investigation covered approximately three years of Moreland’s employment with the city. It is alleged that Moreland was responsible for embezzling $230,000 of the city’s funds during his employment with Whittier. Moreland was arrested and booked at the Whittier Police Station but was released on $20,000 bail. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has filed charges against Moreland for embezzlement. Moreland appeared in court on June 18th and the proceedings were continued to a future date.

For further information, please contact Officer Diana Salazar at (562) 945-8287.

Officers Help Deliver a Baby Girl

On June 13, 2007 at 2:45pm, officers were dispatched to a 911 call of a woman in labor at the apartment complex located at 9039 Pioneer Blvd. in the City of Santa Fe Springs. As the first officer arrived, he observed that the woman was in labor. As the officer comforted the woman, the second officer arrived. The woman went into active labor prior to the arrival of paramedics . Within minutes the woman had delivered a baby girl with the assistance of the officers. As paramedics arrived, they began to treat the mother and the newborn baby girl. The woman and child were transported to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital for observation and appear to be doing very well.