UPDATE 11:45am | As promised, the following is additional information about John Watkins, a retired Long Beach Police Department sergeant who Wednesday morning announced that he is tossing his hat into the ring for the city’s Fourth Distrct council seat in next year’s election.
After joining the Long Beach Police Department in 1982, Watkins went on to spend 20 years of his tunre with the department working directly in Community Policing. He and his LBPD partner were the first patrol officers to initiate the “bike patrol” along the Anaheim Street corridor.
He was promoted to sergeant in 2000, and he continued to work with community and city leaders, business owners and residents through expanded community policing programs.
Watkins also worked closely with the Long Beach Airport where he was heavily involved in
airport security and related issues.
“I have had the opportunity (to) work with the residents and business owners in this area for many, many
years. I have heard their concerns, worked with them to promote a safe environment and a higher
standard of living,” Watkins said in a statement. “I now look forward to representing these folks on the City Council, promoting job growth and retention, safe neighborhoods and assuring fiscal prudence on budgetary matters.”
According to the Wednesday morning e-mail announcing his candidacy, Watkins has been a builder and a small business owner for years.
In his free time, he serves as a pack leader for Boy Scouts of America and, according to the e-mail, he has been tapped to be installed as a commissioner in the Los Fieras District of Scouts. Watkins is a member of the Long Beach Masonic Lodge. He also competes in triathlons each year.
Watkins attended Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach. He and his wife, Dawn Watkins, have six children ranging in age from 9 to 28 years old.
The Fourth District runs largely west to east across Long Beach, bordered by Gardenia Avenue on the west, the I-405 (San Diego) Freeway on the north, El Dorado Park on the east and 10
th and Atherton streets on the south.
10:01am | John Watkins, a retired Long Beach police sergeant, has announced that he plans to run for the Fourth District council seat in the April 2012 election.
Watkins filed the necessary paperwork today, according to a Wednesday morning e-mail.
Current Fourth District City Councilman Patrick O’Donnell has served on the Council for eight years and is facing term limits next spring.
“My life and career in Long Beach has revolved around public service, first with the Long beach Police Department and now with Special Olympics,” Watkins said in a statement. “I look to continue that service as a member of the City Council representing the neighborhoods I have worked with and resided in for decades.”
Watkins joined the LBPD in 1982.
Stay tuned for an update with additional information later today.