Artesia News

Artesians Enjoy Public Safety Expo

Jake, a member of the Lakewood Sheriff's K-9 Unit, lies on the soft grass, soaking in the sun. He pants happily as children approach, pat his head, and scratch his behind his ears.

Sometimes being a police officer isn't about drugs and criminals; sometimes it's about being appreciated for a job well done.

Artesia held their annual Public Safety Expo March 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Artesia Park.

Approximately 800 people are estimated to have attended, enjoying free food, public safety demonstrations, and cheering the five recipients of awards meant to honor their extraordinary service. District Supervisor Don Knabe, Lakewood Sheriff Captain Dave Fender, Assistant Fire Chief Angel Montoya, and Sergeant Jeanette Duran-Dingillo presented the awards.

The landing of the L.A. Sheriff's Department's Sky Knight helicopter signaled the beginning of the Expo, a day set aside by Artesia to inform residents on the varying elements of public safety. In attendance were representatives from the Fire Department, the Lakewood Sheriff's, Los Angeles County Public Health Department, Animal Control, and of course, City Staff.

Officer Joy Birch, of the Sheriff's K-9 unit, showed how effective Jake's nose was in sniffing out narcotics. As he walked alongside a trash can, Jake started scratching the ground at the foot of the can. Underneath the can was a baggy of marijuana. He found another baggy of marijuana underneath a chair.

According to Birch, Jake's nose is trained to look for only certain drugs like marijuana. However, Jake has been able to find other drugs because people often smoke marijuana along with the other drug.

“In all, Jake brought in about two million dollars in drug money last year,” said Birch.

The Sheriff's bomb squad also had a demo, albeit a quiet one. Their robot stealthily climbed up onto the stage, rolled up to a chair, picked it up, spun it around, and set it back down. The operator was about 100 feet away.

The Fire Dept. had two demonstrations. The first was the proper use of a fire extinguisher. The Dept.'s public relations specialist, Sam Padilla summed up the proper use of a fire extinguisher with the acronym P.A.S.S., which stands for Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep the area. Padilla had his assistants light a gas-fed fire and he demonstrated how P.A.S.S. works.

The other demonstration the Fire Dept. showed was the Jaws of Life. Starting with a car in good condition, the Fire Dept. went to work tearing the car apart with a series of tools, drills, and of course, the Jaws of Life.

A fireman named Brookhyser called out to the kids in the audience, “Are you ready to be exposed to the jaws of life ?” Brookhyser emphasized ‘the jaws of life' as if it were some sort of monster.

The “jaws of life” is a hydraulics-powered tool that spreads apart metal. Halfway through the demonstration, the Fire Dept. received a call for a real emergency somewhere in Hawaiian Gardens. A few of the fire fighters present jumped into one of the fire trucks and sped off, heading east on South St., presumably to head south on Norwalk Blvd.

The rest of the firefighter stayed to finish the demonstration. At the end of the demonstration, the car had no doors, all the glass was broken, and the roof of the vehicle was folded back.

Assistant Fire Chief Alex Montoya awarded Fire fighter Ed Turner for his services, citing that he devotes even his off-duty time toward helping others.

“There are many hardworking firefighters in our fire department, but it wasn't hard to choose this individual,” said Montoya. “We feel very highly of [Turner] because he represents the department how we want it to be portrayed.”

District Supervisor Don Knabe awarded Deputy Steve “Esti” Soliz the Deputy of the Year for Artesia. Soliz added that though he passed the test for detective, he hopes to handle some cases for Artesia in the future.

Captain Dave Fender named Charles Guevarra the “Reserve of the Year”. “We tried to put Guevarra in other communities and he would reply, “No, I'm Artesia.”

Fender also awarded Barbara Liberator as “Volunteer of the Year.” Liberator said she enjoyed putting her time in Artesia and watching the city grow over the past five years.

Additionally, Fender also mentioned that of the five cities that the Lakewood Sheriff Station services, Artesia has the lowest crime rate.

Sergeant Jeanette Duran-Dingillo, who is in charge of the city's Special Assignment Officers, awarded Neighborhood Watch Captain Dody Bedingfield for her actions and determination, citing Bedingfield's organizing a Public Safety in the mobile home park where she is Captain.


Firefighters make a dent in the side of the car to insert the Jaws of Life.	In the middle of the demonstration, firefighters received a call for a real emergency.	The car after being ripped apart by crowbars, the Jaws of Life, drills, and saws.

City staff prepare chid ID cards.	Lining up at A.J. Park before the bicycle ride-along.	Kids drove their bikes from AJ Park to Artesia Park .

A kid checks out the bomb squad's robot.	Esteban ‘Esti' Soliz escorts the children during the Ride-Along.	Officer Joy Birch and her drug sniffing canine friend Jake.

Sky Knight made a few low passes over the park.	This kid shows off the Lomita posse's horse.	Firefighter Brookhysan answers a listens to a little girl's question about the Jaws of Life.

Firefighter demonstrate the Jaws of Life by tearing up a car.	This robot is being controlled by an operator in the large van in the back.	Onlookers check out a sheriff's helicopter.


Jake hangs out in the crowd waiting to be petted.	A horse from the Lomita posse.	Officer Joy Birch and her drug sniffing canine friend Jake.