Cerritos mayor highlights public safety, economic growth at State of the City

Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama delivers Cerritos’ state of the city address. (Courtesy photo)

Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama delivered the 2025 State of the City address Tuesday evening to a crowd of more than 300 community members at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, marking the first time the city itself hosted the event.

Centered on the theme “Cerritos in Progress,” the mayor’s address emphasized the City’s Strategic Plan and outlined key priorities across public safety, infrastructure, business development, and community services.

“The City of Cerritos is unwavering in its commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and your property,” said Yokoyama, noting that enhancing public safety was listed as the City Council’s top goal when adopting the Strategic Plan last December.

He pointed to tangible progress: prioritizing residential burglary alarm calls has reduced law enforcement response times from 24 minutes to just seven, and the city has installed 11 automated license plate recognition cameras, with more on the way. Additional public safety staff have also been hired. As a result, residential burglaries dropped 7.5% during the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Economic development was another focal point. Yokoyama celebrated the opening of several new businesses and announced the upcoming arrival of Tokyo Central/Marukai, a Japanese market set to open later this year at the former Pacific Sales building in the Cerritos Towne Center.

“This market expands Cerritos’ already strong international-based stores and restaurants, offering Japanese goods and supporting cultural engagement,” he said.

Yokoyama also unveiled a new membership program for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, which will offer free enrollment and exclusive benefits to Cerritos residents, including early ticket access and performance discounts.

Other community updates included the debut of a new line of city merchandise and enhancements to popular services and spaces—12 new pickleball courts at Liberty Park and Cerritos Park East, a new Kanopy streaming service for library cardholders, and nearly 40,000 senior meals delivered last year through a partnership with the Human Services Association.

On infrastructure, the mayor noted upgrades to parks, water wells, streets, sidewalks, and a renewed effort to reopen areas of Heritage Park. “These spaces belong to our residents,” Yokoyama said. “Maintaining and improving them ensures resident tax dollars are invested wisely.”

He also addressed ongoing budget challenges, thanking his colleagues and staff for identifying more than $2 million in cost savings and new revenue streams.

Yokoyama concluded his remarks by urging residents to stay engaged and help strengthen the community. “Together, we are making Cerritos stronger, more resilient, and more connected.”

For more information about the Strategic Plan and to view the State of the City presentation, visit cerritos.gov/2025stateofthecity.