Hello Downey,

Spring is a season of renewal—and this year, that meaning feels especially close to home. After a time of recovery and healing, I return with a full heart and a renewed commitment to serve you. As our city begins to bloom once again, so too does our shared commitment to one another, grounded in resilience, faith, and the strength that defines Downey.

 I’m grateful for the strength, compassion, and unity that make Downey so special.

Community Engagement

Spring programming is here! We invite everyone to join these upcoming City activities.

Compost and Shredding Event (=)

Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Independence Park – 12334 Bellflower Blvd

Arbor Day (=)

Saturday, April 25, from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Independence Park – 12334 Bellflower Blvd

Special Needs Awareness & Resource Fair (*)

Saturday, May 09, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Apollo Park – 12544 Rives Ave

Touch-A-Truck (=)

Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Independence Park – 12334 Bellflower Blvd

 For more information and to register, contact:

(*) Parks and Recreation Department at (562) 904-7238 or visit www.downeyca.org/PR.

(=) Public Works Department at (562) 904-7102 or mldelgadillo@downeyca.org.

Spring Event Spotlights

City of STEM

On April 26^th at Exposition Park South Lawn, experience the City of STEM + Los Angeles Maker Faire—the official science festival of Los Angeles County. Presented by Columbia Memorial Space Center, this FREE, all-ages event is SoCal’s largest celebration of science, making, creativity, and invention. It’s a full day of hands-on activities, immersive experiences, workshops, live demonstrations, and appearances by renowned creators and science personalities. Designed to reflect the diversity of the greater Los Angeles region, the festival champions curiosity, creativity, and access to STEM for all—now with programming available in both English and Spanish.

For more information, visit www.cityofstem.org.

Keep Downey Beautiful

The Keep Downey Beautiful program will host a cleanup to help keep our community clean and attractive.

 Special Clean-up with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling: Wilderness Park

10999 Little Lake Rd. - Saturday, April 11, from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Monthly Clean-Up: Downey Elks Lodge Parking Lot

11233 Woodruff Ave. - Saturday, April 18, from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM

 (Students are eligible to receive documented volunteer hours. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 16)

Neighborhood Beautification Awards

From April 1 through June 30, the City of Downey invites residents and property owners to participate in the Neighborhood Beautification Awards Program. This program honors homes and non-residential properties that showcase community pride through attractive, well-maintained appearances.

 Award recipients will receive a certificate of recognition and a commemorative yard sign, with winners announced in July.

How to Nominate

Who Can Nominate: Anyone may nominate a property within Downey city limits.

Requirements: One nomination per property; include three current color photographs of the exterior and landscape.

Evaluation: The Public Works Committee will judge entries based on curb appeal, design, overall condition, harmony, and compliance with City codes. Properties with code violations or those part of a City project are not eligible.

Deadline: June 30 at 5 PM

Submit Your Nomination (mail or in person delivery):
City of Downey

Neighborhood Beautification Awards
11111 Brookshire Ave, Downey, CA 90241 

For more information, contact the Public Works Department at (562) 904-7102 or visit www.downeyca.org/kdb.

Public Safety

Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT)

The City of Downey's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is offering a training that can improve your ability to survive and help others in the aftermath of a disaster, when professional responders may not be able to reach you. 

• Friday, April 10, from 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
• Saturday & Sunday, April 11-12, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Fire Station 1 Training Room - 12222 Paramount Blvd., Downey

Individuals completing CERT training will be able to: increase their neighborhood’s disaster readiness, assess damage after a disaster, extinguish small fires and teach fire safety, perform light search and rescue operations, perform triage and provide medical services to the injured, and organize procurement of Supplies.

Participants must be 11 years or older. Children between the ages of 11-17 years old MUST be accompanied by a participating adult (1 adult per child). All participants must attend all 2.5 days of training to receive a certification of completion.

 For more information, contact the Emergency Management Office at ready@downeyca.org.

Community Development

Code Enforcement

The City of Downey is committed to keeping the community safe and welcoming for all. Proactive steps are taken to maintain our neighborhoods, ensuring Downey remains vibrant for everyone. Here are ways you can help.

How to Report a Code Violation

City of Downey Code Enforcement: Report bulky items, large trash/debris, and encampments on public property in the City of Downey.

(562) 904-2392

CodeEnf@downeyca.org

Downey Connect App 

Caltrans: Report bulky items, large trash/debris, and encampments at freeway/underpasses.

Online Customer Service Request: https://csr.dot.ca.gov/ 

Union Pacific: Report bulky items, trash/debris, and encampments at railroad tracks.

(888) 877-7267

Online Communication Center: www.UP.com.notifyUP

A Quality Neighborhood Starts With You

To assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment, the City of Downey has put together a helpful resource guide. This guide offers valuable information on addressing common neighborhood concerns, including maintenance, safety, and property upkeep. 

For more details on maintaining a quality neighborhood, download the brochure at www.downeyca.org/qualityneighborhood.

Resources

The City of Downey’s official mobile app, Downey Connect, makes accessing City services easier and more convenient than ever, providing residents, businesses, and visitors with a streamlined, user-friendly experience.

With features like service request tracking, water bill payments, business licensing, and real‑time City notifications, Downey Connect puts the City of Downey right at your fingertips.

Download Downey Connect today from the Apple App Store or Google Play. 

Graffiti Hotline

(562) 923-4484

Abandoned Shopping Carts

(800) 252-4613

Illegal Dumping

(562) 904-7194

Homelessness Hotline

(562) 299-6770

Stay connected by following our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @cityofdowneyca and @discoverdowney.

As we move forward together, may we continue to show up for one another—with compassion, strength, and a shared commitment to serve. It is in these moments, both challenging and joyful, that we are reminded of who we are as a community. I am honored to continue serving you, and I look ahead with hope and determination for all that we will accomplish together—because engaged communities are strong communities.

#EngagedCommunitiesAreStrongCommunities

Claudia M. Frometa

Mayor, City of Downey