Welcome to our City Newsletter!
Greetings!
Its only been a few days since the new year started and already so much has happened in 2019. Reflecting back at 2018 Long Beach remains optimistic about the future. Starting with crime, the City’s Police Department (LBPD) announced the continuous decrease in both violent and property crimes when compared to 2017.

The City’s Animal Care Services (ACS) also resumes its 10-year trend of increasingly positive results for shelter animals. From 2017 to 2018, ACS decreased the number of animal impounds by 13.2% and total euthanasia was reduced by 6.7% in 2018 from the year before.

There’s also a lot of events happening this month like the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade, the grand opening of a new playground at Drake Park and the Mayor’s State of the City.

Scroll down to get more important news and details on all the events happening. 
Crime Continues to Decrease in Long Beach
The Long Beach Police Department announced that year-end citywide crime statistics for 2018, reflect an 8.4% decrease in Part 1 crime, which includes reductions in both violent and property crimes when compared to 2017.

Violent Crime reflected a 16.5% decrease, with double-digit reductions in the areas of Robbery and Aggravated Assault. Property Crime is down 6.4%, with reductions in the areas of Residential Burglary, Commercial Burglary, Petty Theft, and Auto Theft.
Closure Notice of Blue Line During Construction
Major improvements begin January 26 for Metro’s oldest light rail line. Work to modernize the Blue Line has been ongoing since 2014 with a series of safety and operational improvements.

Metro will begin another round of significant construction and maintenance improvements on Saturday, January 26 through late May, 2019. Through these improvements, Metro will invest $350 million to enhance safety, increase reliability and improve the customer experience. Metro has designed a Bus Shuttle Service Plan during these closures to provide customers with a variety of service options during the New Blue Improvements Project.
Animal Care Services Euthanasia and Impounds Continue Downward Trend
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine’s Animal Care Services Bureau (ACS) continues downward trend in euthanasia and impounds in 2018. From 2017 to 2018, ACS decreased the number of animal impounds by 13.2%.

New ACS manager named, and strategic plan and task force take shape in 2019
Staycee R. Dains was recently named the new Manager of the City’s Animal Care Services Bureau. Ms. Dains comes from the City of San Jose where she was the Shelter Operations Supervisor for the past ten years and oversaw a staff of 100.

Zero Cases of West Nile Virus in
Long Beach for 2018
Health officials announced earlier this month that for the first time in nearly a decade, there had been no cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) reported in Long Beach in 2018. WNV first appeared in Southern California in 2003 and in Long Beach in 2004. Long Beach has documented human cases of WNV almost every year since it arrived. Last year, Long Beach experienced 15 human cases, and in 2016 there were 53 human cases.
Let’s Tackle Climate Change at CAAP Open House #2!
The City is developing its first-ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and we want you to be part of the process! Join us at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library on Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for our next public workshop and resource fair. RSVP here.
Willow Springs Native Plant Nursery
You are invited to the first Native Plant Workshop at Willow Springs Park! Come meet the plants at Willow Springs with our Native Plant Coordinator, Blanca Diaz. Workshops will continue every 2nd Saturday. Learn more.
Vector Control Plays Critical Role In Protecting Long Beach From Deadliest Animal On Earth
Read about the City's unsung heroes who diligently work to keep the public safe from lethal, mosquito-borne diseases.
Register your bike and get free lights!
Public Works will be hosting six pop-ups throughout the city in January and February. Ride your bike to one of the pop-ups and staff will help you register your bike with Garage 529 and provide front and rear bike lights to those who need them.

To view all current employment opportunities with the City visit www.longbeach.gov/jobs/

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