Photo Courtesy of John Blue

New police Chief Tony Vairo (center) is congratulated by San Fernando City Council members (below) after being officially sworn in April 6 (top). Vairo, who has served on the San Fernando Police Department for 33 years, said among his top priorities are filling five officer vacancies and “continuing the connection with community” he said the police department has had for many years. Vairo said his immediate challenges include reducing a recent 7 percent increase in lower-level crimes (i.e. auto break-ins and shoplifting), and “dealing with the early release of convicted felons now on probation not parole. We have 47 residents that fall under that in our city.”