Cerritos Sheriff’s Station Plans Open House

On Saturday morning, sheriff’s deputies plan to throw open the doors to all eight jail cells inside the new Cerritos sheriff’s station.

What’s more, they want to let any Tom, Dick and Harry roam freely through the station’s narcotics vault, armory and even the offices of the top brass. But come 3 p.m., it’s down to business.

For 4 1/2 hours, the $10-million station will be open to showcase, among other things, its tasteful combination of high-tech security and sprightly interior decorating.

Visitors may also discover a few reproductions of artwork by Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein.

Unlike many other sheriff’s stations, whose consoles tend to be buried in dreary basements, the Cerritos facility “doesn’t look like a dungeon,” Lt. Ted Siara said during Thursday’s sneak peek for the media.

In fact, Siara said, there’s nothing like the station anywhere else in the county. None of the other 41 cities that contract law enforcement services from the county Sheriff’s Department own and operate their own station, he said.

Cerritos officials say they built the 30,000-square-foot building to better accommodate the 36 deputies now assigned to the city but headquartered in Lakewood, and to provide more focus to the city’s community policing strategy.

Nearly a third of the station’s main floor is dedicated to community meeting rooms and windows where residents can sign up for volunteer positions.

Until now, Cerritos-based deputies have had to commute 20 minutes from the Lakewood sheriff’s station.

The new facility is expected to cost the city $600,000 more every year to provide the extra clerical and supervisory staff.

But Councilwoman Grace Hu said it will be worth it.

“Hopefully we can lower the crime rate in our city,” she said.

The station’s new telephone number--not for use in lieu of 911 for emergencies--is (310) 860-0044.