10:15am | Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell, just over one month into his new role, will speak at a 6th District community meeting tonight and two Commanders will speak to the 2nd District today as McDonnell attempts to familiarize himself with Long Beach residents, and vice versa.
A 2nd District community meeting hosted by Councilmember Suja Lowenthal at the Paradise Cafe (1800 E. Broadway) from 12:00pm-1:00pm will feature Commanders from the East and South Divisions – Cynthia Renaud and Jay Johnson. McDonnell was forced to cancel to attend the funeral of former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates. Anyone interested should RSVP at 562.570.6684.
This evening, McDonnell will meet with residents of the 6th District at a meeting hosted by Councilmember Dee Andrews from 6:00pm-7:00pm, at the Veterans Park Community Center at 101 E. 28th Street. Attendance is free to both events.
“We are fortunate that our City has an excellent law enforcement department and its leadership is very important to us,” said Andrews, in a statement. “I hope that you can join me as we get to know our new Police Chief and see his vision for keeping crime down in Long Beach.”
McDonnell is a 12-year Long Beach resident who was hired as the department’s 25th Chief after serving 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, ultimately earning the rank of First Assistant Chief and nearly becoming Chief of that department in both 2002 and 2009.