Waldo Pérez: Victim turned Citizen Crime Fighter

On November 10, 1992, Waldo Pérez, 51, a mechanic and longtime resident of South Gate, experienced a gruesome life-threatening event. It was an attack that would mark the beginning of his fight against local crime.

“A person asked me for a ride to Atlantic Avenue,” said Pérez, who made a brief stop at a mailbox on Tweedy Boulevard on that day. “I guess I was trying to be nice, it was on my way, so I agreed.”

The willingness of Pérez to help out, what he thought was but a young man without a car, would nearly end up costing him his life. Upon entering the car the man took out a gun, and told him to hand over his valuables.

“I told him I did not have anything,” said Pérez. “So he told me to keep driving.”

Pérez kept on driving and took a risky decision after reaching the intersection of California Avenue and Tweedy Boulevard, near the border with Lynwood.

“I decided to accelerate and jump out,” said Pérez. “I felt like that I was going to die, wherever I was being taken to.”

Pérez managed to escape, but was shot on the side of his stomach by the man with the gun.

After a month of recovery Pérez was released from the hospital. 

The police arrested the perpetrator, Albert Aguilar,  who was 18 at that time of his conviction. He was later imprisoned.

Pérez, whose activism is quite well known amongst police officers, residents and city officials, admits to not not having told too many people about this moment in his life. This is despite the fact that his desire to eradicate local crime grew out of this experience.

“I decided that I did not want this to happen to anyone,” said Pérez. “Especially my children.”

Shortly after this experience Pérez became more active and joined Community in Action (CIA), a South Gate organization of self-proclaimed concerned citizens that works with municipal agencies, like South Gate Police Department (SGPD), to combat local illicit behavior.

Longtime members of the organization, such as South Gate resident Mary Castillo, 41, have always been impressed with Pérez’s passion.

“If he believes in fixing something he will stop at nothing until finding a way to do so,” said Castillo, who has worked with Pérez for the past 13 years. “He is a very passionate about the issues he feels strongly about.”

Pérez has taken part in some of the most important problems that CIA has decided to tackle. 

These issues include, prostitution on Long Beach Boulevard, , and in the monitoring of illicit activity that tends to happen on a

Tony Morales, 42, another member of CIA, insists that Pérez’s is an important asset to the group. Further adding that his knowledge of municipal government has been very helpful to the organization.

“Waldo has a lot of experience on dealing with [city] departments,” said Morales.  “He has the patience to work with them and understands how they operate.”

This is a skill that has gathered Pérez much respect among some of South Gate's most important departments, such as the local police.

“Knowing and understanding what resources are available, and who to call to address a problem or concern goes a long way to making your voice heard,” said Captain Keith Hupp of the SGPD. “Waldo does not just call and complain about problems.”

Pérez insists that he is merely doing what he feels ought to be done.  He has a lot of pride for South Gate and because of this he will never leave. 

Pérez believes that there are problems everywhere, and that he rather focus on those that affect his city.

“I rather combat problems that are happening in my hometown,” said Pérez, who considers South Gate to be a safe city. “I have worked hard to have my family home and I am not going to lose this because of the actions of others.”

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