Lawndale Tribune
AND lAwNDAle News
The Weekly Newspaper of Lawndale
Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - October 5, 2017
Cardinals Have a Field Day Against Tartars
Last weekend, the Lawndale High Cardinals had their way with the Torrance Tartars in an impressive 42-0 home victory. In this photo, Lawndale’s Jordan Wilmore sprints down the sideline with Torrance’s
Adam Mendoza in pursuit. Wilmore finished the game with 172 rushing yards on just 15 carries. Photo by Dirk Dewachter
Lawndale Remains Safe After Early
Morning Alert Rouses Neighborhood
By Haleemon Anderson
incident was recorded by the officer’s partner.
The Lawndale City Council opened Monday
The woman was recognized as a local transient.
with a dramatic account of a bomb scare that
She was arrested and booked without further
had over 100 residents evacuated from their
incident.
homes in the early morning hours of Friday,
The Council took action to clarify nomination
September 29. Captain April Tardy reported
criteria for the City of Lawndale’s second annual
the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Wall of Distinction induction. The entire pool of
emptied homes in a four-square-block area
applications will be returned to the nominations
surrounding the 14700 block of Avis Avenue,
committee for review under “clarifying changes”
after officers found a cache of firearms and other
to Council policy #101-16. The change reflects
World War II-era weaponry at an abandoned
the Council’s direction to staff to bring back
home. “Over 50 ordnances were found in the
language spelling out the original intent to
initial search,” said Tardy.
honor “unsung heroes…individuals who had
The entire ordeal unfolded over a 14-hour
not been and would not likely be honored by
period, during which the Sheriff’s Department
other means.”
and LA County bomb and hazmat squad,
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Reid, who was not
and other first responders were called to the
present at the meeting, had vigorously objected
scene. Captain Tardy said an anonymous call
last week to amending the policy. In his absence,
triggered the response. After a neighbor reported
the four members voted yes to accept the change.
a suspicious occupied car, officers found the
The Council also approved capital improvement
occupants in possession of a handgun they
funds of $189,000 for street and alleyway repairs
claimed came from a nearby house. The house
and appropriated an additional $69,000 from
was apparently abandoned since the death of an
the general fund in accordance with SB1. The
unidentified veteran, and had been taken over
expenditures assure the City keeps up its end
by transient individuals.
of the bargain to receive state funding under
Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles thanked the
the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act.
community for its cooperation in de-escalating
“Basically, we need to appropriate $70,000 from
a potentially volatile situation. “Evacuating your
the general fund yearly to be eligible for the
home is an inconvenience, but a resident saw
federal funds,” said City Manager Steve Mandoki.
something that just didn’t seem right,” he said
Mayor Pullen-Miles added, “It’s unprecedented
of the anonymous source. He credited the safety
for the state to have a plan to update infrastructure
protocol of “see something, say something,”
like this.” RMRA funding was approved this
emphasizing that it proved essential in this case.
year and mandates “basic road maintenance,
“Despite the danger these explosives posed to
rehabilitation, and critical safety projects on…
the community,” said Pullen-Miles, “it worked
local streets and roads.” Monies will be used
out just the way it should have.” Several of the
in part to repave a stretch of alleyway east of
ordnances appeared to be in an active state,
Hawthorne Boulevard at 163rd to 166th and
according to Tardy. All were confiscated by
from 167th to 168th.
the Sheriff’s Department arson and explosives
In public comments, resident Gary White
detail, ultimately to be stored and investigated
asked the Council to enforce safety protocol
at a military facility or detonated at the Wayside
for City public workers, saying he observed a
facility, according to Tardy.
man sawing concrete and running the saw with
In an incident filed on September 28, an
one hand. “He wasn’t wearing his glasses either,
officer was assaulted after a routine stop for a
and that’s just not the way to act,” said White.
code violation. Tardy reported a female suspect
“Safety is a no-excuses program.” White noted
assaulted the officer, biting him on the arm and
that litigation in the event of an accident can
kicking the mirror of a service vehicle. The
impact the whole city.
Also, White said, cars speeding through the
neighborhood has started again on residential
streets. He asked if officers could be posted
during the peak hours of 3 to 6:30 p.m. “That
deters it,” said White, noting that Condon Street
is a main drag.
Resident Pam London asked to have the minutes
of the September 21 meeting edited to better
reflect the conversation about code enforcement
to eliminate RV parking in residential areas.
Councilmember Jim Osborne reported on the
recent South Bay Cities Council of Governments.
Osborne said the COG announced a Take Back
Our Communities campaign. Osborne said efforts
are underway to counter the negative effects of
Bills 109, 47 and 57. “We are looking at ways
to combat the rise in crime associated with the
move,” he said.
In announcements, Councilmember Pat Kearney
said Torrance Memorial Hospital will give free flu
shots to the first 100 responders on October 10,
from 9 a.m. to noon. Councilmember Osborne
noted the next Coffee with a Cop session will take
place October 10, from 9-11 a.m. in the Library.
The outreach program promotes awareness and
community building. Kearney also announced the
annual Halloween Haunt on October 31, from
4-8 p.m. on the City Hall Plaza.
Mandoki said submissions for the Veterans
Day Field of Honor are now available. The City
promotes the memorial event and sponsors flag
sales. The field will be installed on the City Hall
lawn November 10 and will remain on display
through November 12.
Mayor Pullen-Miles requested the meeting be
adjourned in honor of Marvin L. Kennedy. The
longtime resident was a veteran and joined the
Navy after graduating from Gardena High in
1950. Kennedy was honorably discharged in 1954.
As a civic leader, he sat on the Parks and Rec
Committee, before serving two four-year terms
on the City Council, including one as Mayor.
The Lawndale City Council meets the first and
third Monday of every month, unless otherwise
noted. The next regular meeting is on October
16, at 6:30 p.m., in the Lawndale City Hall
Council Chambers. •
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.......................5
Classifieds............................3
Finance..................................2
Food.......................................5
Hawthorne Happenings....3
Legals............................... 3, 7
Looking Up...........................7
Pets........................................6
Seniors..................................2
Sports....................................4
Weekend
Forecast
Friday
Sunny
76˚/64˚
Saturday
Sunny
81˚/62˚
Sunday
Partly
Cloudy
74˚/62˚