Fire Chief Matt Hallock has left the city’s employment after 22 years of service on January 25th. He will be the new Fire Chief in Santa Monica.

He thanked Monterey Park for letting him be part of the community. As Fire Chief he made many changes to his department to better serve the community. He is very proud of his department. He thanked the city and residents for supporting them.

Matt Hallock said the day after the January 21^st shooting a family came by Station One and thanked the Paramedics for bring their family member to the hospital so they could say “good bye”.

He said the Paramedics and Firefighters need to hear this thank you since they were so upset about the event.

Interim Fire Chief Chris Thompson said he has been employed by our city fire department for the last 24 years. He is not planning to make any changes to our fire department. They will continue to keep doing their jobs as well as they do now.

Alhambra School Board member Bob Gin presented a proclamation to Matt Hallock for his service to our city.

Alhambra School Board member Bob Gin presented a proclamation to Matt Hallock for his service to our city with several friends.

Bob Gin, Matt Hallock and Councilmember Vinh Ngo  posed for a picture in honor of this event.

Matt Hallock posed for a picture with some of his many friends.

Many of the Monterey Park Firefighters posed for a group picture in honor of this event.

Former Mayor Hans Liang and his wife Lani posed for a picture with Matt Hallock.

Garvey School Board member Andrew Yam presented a gift to Matt Hallock in the presence of Vinh Ngo.

Many residents and guests posed for several pictures with Matt Hallock and our firefighters in honor of this event.

Employees served cake slices with punch and coffee on Matt Hallock last day of service to Monterey Park at Station One.

MPK Cascades Newspaper for February 2024 Now Available for Download

Download the latest issue of the Cascades for municipal, educational and regional government events and activities for the Monterey Park community.

City of Monterey Park Appoints Interim Fire Chief Thompson, Thanks Chief Hallock for His Service

City of Monterey Park Appoints Interim Fire Chief Chris Thompson, Thanks Chief Matt Hallock for His Years of Service to the Community

The City of Monterey Park is pleased to announce the appointment of Interim Fire Chief Chris Thompson. With an extensive career spanning almost 24 years in fire service in the City of Monterey Park, Chris has been an invaluable asset to the City’s Fire Department.

Interim Chief Thompson started as a Firefighter/Paramedic and worked his way up through the Department. He has served as Battalion Chief and holds certifications as both a Chief Officer and an Executive Chief Officer with the State of California. Chris’s commitment to professional development is evident in his educational background, which includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management.

Chris also serves as the City’s Emergency Manager, showcasing his dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of Monterey Park residents.

The City also extends its gratitude to Chief Matt Hallock for his 22 years of service, exceptional leadership, and unconditional commitment to the Monterey Park community. Chief Hallock’s leadership has been particularly evident during challenging times, notably steering the department with resilience through the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His efforts ensured the safety of both the firefighting personnel and the community at large, exemplifying his commitment to public health and safety.

In addition to his outstanding efforts during the pandemic, Chief Hallock demonstrated unwavering leadership in the face of adversity during the tragic mass shooting incident on January 21, 2023. His actions played a crucial role in coordinating emergency response efforts, providing support to the affected individuals, and compassionately leading his Department during a period of crisis and profound challenges.

Monterey Park wishes Chief Hallock the very best as he takes on the role of Fire Chief for the City of Santa Monica and congratulates Interim Chief Chris Thompson on his new role for the City of Monterey Park.

City of Monterey Park Releases Draft Sustainability Plan for Public Review and Comment

The City of Monterey Park Draft Sustainability Plan is open for review and comments through 5:00 p.m., February 29, 2024.

Residents and community stakeholders can review the draft plan online by visiting www.montereypark.ca.gov/goinggreenmpk. Hard copies are available at the City Hall Planning Division Counter at 320 West Newmark Avenue, Langley Senior Center at 400 West Emerson Avenue, and Bruggemeyer Library at 318 South Ramona Avenue.

The Draft Sustainability Plan was prepared in response to Monterey Park City Council’s prioritization of climate change adaptation and mitigation issues. The Plan seeks to produce the following benefits:

• Lower City and community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Prioritize holistic climate action that integrates emission reduction, resource conservation, economic benefits, and environmental equity to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
• Promote education and resources to community members.

Join us for Community Workshops on the Draft Sustainability Plan! Attend in person at El Encanto, 700 El Mercado Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754, on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 6:00 pm or attend virtually via Zoom on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 6:00 pm (Meeting ID: 811 2470 6068).

All questions and comments regarding the Draft Sustainability Plan can be submitted as follows:

• By email: GoingGreen@montereypark.ca.gov.
• In-person or by phone to: Community Development Department, Planning Division, 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754, 626-307-1315.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Homeowners’ Exemption Property Tax Savings Program Available from LA County Assessor’s Office

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office encourages eligible homeowners in the City of Monterey Park to take advantage of the Homeowners’ Exemption (HOX) property tax savings program.

The HOX reduces the assessed value of a home or condo by $7,000 for tax purposes, provided that the property is the owner’s principal place of residence as of January 1. This translates to a reduction of $70 annually to a homeowner’s property tax bill. Eligible homeowners who would like to apply will need to fill out an application at Assessor – Homeowners’ Exemption (lacounty.gov).

The deadline to apply is February 15, to take advantage of the entire savings, however, if a homeowner misses the deadline, the LA County Assessor’s Office encourages them to file anyway. The savings will be prorated for that year and the homeowner will receive the full amount in following years. The savings will continue until a change (such as a sale) is recorded.

For additional information and questions, please call the LA County Assessor’s Office at (213) 974-3101 or visit the website at https://assessor.lacounty.gov/exemptions/homeowner-exemption.