Cerritos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cerritos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Allegations against former Councilmember Chang Vou regarding Florida residency
Councilmember Yokoyama presented a resident's letter alleging the former councilmember claimed Florida primary residency since 2024 while serving in Cerritos. The council directed the city attorney to get facts from the Bay County property appraiser and report back.
Declining residential burglaries and public safety partnership
Home burglaries dropped about 37% in 2025 (127 vs. 200+ in 2024), credited to extra patrols, drones, security guards, and watchful residents. New license plate readers have arrived and will be installed soon; a resident asked why the mobile plate reader stays in one spot all year.
Asbestos exposure from neighboring demolition
A resident whose home was contaminated by smoke and asbestos from a January fire next door says the demolition crew has been cited twice by air quality regulators and is asking the city to require a full plastic barrier around the site. Staff promised to follow up with her directly.
Pedestrian safety at Maria Avenue and Andy Street
A 10-year-old resident asked for a multi-way stop sign near Heritage Park, describing two near-misses with speeding cars blocked by parked vehicles, and collected 50 neighbor signatures.
Electric bicycle regulation
Councilmember Hong raised concerns about teenagers riding e-bikes at high speeds; the council agreed by consensus to have staff bring back a report on potential e-bike regulations.
Coyote Creek encampment and neighborhood safety
A resident described a repeat trespasser from a Coyote Creek encampment entering backyards near Cerritos Elementary seven times in eight weeks, and asked the council to put encampment solutions on future agendas and work with neighboring agencies on permanent fixes.
Brown Act public comment commitment
A new state law forces the city to run hybrid meetings with equal remote public comment by July 1, 2026. The council adopted the required disruption policy and will invite neighborhood groups to meetings, at a modest cost of about $1,600 a year.
Curb address painting program
Mayor Johnson won agreement for monthly public reporting of council travel and conference expenses. Councilmember Hong also got consensus for a staff report on repainting faded curb address numbers using charitable donations instead of city funds.
Sky Knight and ALPR public safety funding
Phase 3 of the city's ALPR camera installation is done — all planned intersections are now covered, and the sheriff's station says the cameras are helping identify vehicles tied to crime.
Property nuisance enforcement at 19435 Ellen Way
The council upheld a ruling that a trailer stored in a driveway is a public nuisance, giving the tenant ten days to remove it. The case sets a precedent for how the city enforces its trailer and vehicle storage rules.
Ban on recreational nitrous oxide
Cerritos is moving to ban the sale, possession, and use of laughing gas for recreational purposes, with exceptions for legitimate medical, dental, food, and automotive uses. Enforcement will rely on tobacco retailer license renewals, vendor letters, and code enforcement checks.
Door-to-door solicitor regulation
A resident pushed for a real ordinance regulating solicitors, noting none have applied for permits this year and that neighboring cities have fines while Cerritos only has suggested hours on its website.
Nitrous oxide ban proposed in Cerritos
The commission is backing a citywide ban on selling, possessing, and recreationally inhaling nitrous oxide, with exemptions for medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. The City Council takes it up March 23, and it could be enforced starting mid-May.
Fire hydrant testing and South/Bloomfield lighting concerns
A resident pressed the council on fire hydrant testing records and the darkened, closed restaurant at South Street and Bloomfield Avenue. Staff confirmed hydrants are flushed and tested on a two-year rotating basis and said the city is developing more formal reporting.
Sanctuary city request after student ICE walkout
A Whitney High junior asked the council to declare Cerritos a sanctuary city and adopt support policies after a 500-student walkout; staff noted city sheriff's deputies don't participate in immigration enforcement.
Private surveillance cameras on public property
A Morning Sun tract resident said 30+ privately owned cameras were mounted on public utility poles without authorization and asked the city to enforce its own rules; a neighborhood watch volunteer defended the cameras his group paid for. The city says the installations are unlawful and removal was directed.
Senior Services Commission and Community Safety Committee codified
New ordinances formally establish a Senior Services Commission and City Celebrations Committee, and memorialize the Community Safety Committee's duties in city code.
Recreational nitrous oxide prohibition
Following the lead of other California cities, the council wants to ban recreational sale and use of laughing gas, citing CDC health warnings. A code amendment goes to the Planning Commission in March 2026.