Artesia, California - Maintenance Worker Andy Estrella helped reunite a toddler with her parents last Thursday.  Estrella was about to begin mowing a city park when he saw the young child walking around by herself.  “That’s when I went into dad mode,” said Estrella. While Eye On Pioneer is choosing not to divulge further details out of respect for the family’s privacy, we can report that Estrella followed the appropriate safety protocols and was able to successfully reunite the child with the parents. Estrella is the newest maintenance worker with Artesia’s Public Works Department. If you see him out there, give him a shout out!

Officer Choi keeps watch in the direction where he chased two pit bulls that were  attacking an elderly man only minutes before. ARTESIA, CALIFORNIA - Local Code Enforcement Officer Sam Choi—widely regarded by residents as a dedicated public servant—is now fighting to keep his job, not for misconduct or poor performance, but for refusing to abandon a philosophy that has defined his career: treating people with fairness, respect, and common sense. For over a decade, Choi has practiced what he calls  “voluntary compliance” —working with residents and businesses to resolve code issues without immediately resorting to citations, fines, or court action. It’s an approach rooted in cooperation rather than punishment, and by all accounts, it has worked. Choi has maintained a strong record, including a consistently high case-closure rate. Cite First, Ask Questions Later That approach now stands in direct conflict with a new direction from the City's management—one that can best be des...