Perris Receives Check from Congressman for Senior Center Expansion

PERRIS, Calif. (August 16, 2024) –– The City of Perris was honored to host Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) for a check presentation for the Perris Senior Center Expansion Project on August 15, 2024.

Mayor Michael M. Vargas, Councilmember Marisela Nava, and city staff were honored to receive Congressman Takano as he presented Perris with a check for $1,866,279. $1,666,279 of these funds are for the expansion of the Senior Center with the remaining $200,000 to be spent on body cameras for our code enforcement officers.

Mayor Vargas expressed gratitude to Congressman Takano for always being a friend to the city.

“It’s not often we get a check for $1.8 million, but we are excited and grateful, so we’re going to run with it,” said Vargas. “Congressman Takano has always been a big friend and supporter of Perris, and our entire community is appreciative of his contributions.”

Takano praised the city for their efforts in community projects as well as strong proposals for funding.

“Every year, Perris has the ability to do community project funding and Perris has gotten a good amount of proposals thanks to your leadership and excellent city management staff,” said Takano. “Perris is the little city that can, but not for much longer, because you keep growing. We want to make sure that you have the resources to make the quality of life here more and more inviting so you can serve all of your citizens, and that includes your seniors as well.”

Councilmember Marisela Nava acknowledged these funds will be a great support for the Perris community.

“I am greatly appreciative of Congressman Takano’s continued commitment to the City of Perris and our residents,” said Nava. “These funds will be put to great use for our community and the seniors who frequent this facility.”

The Perris Senior Center provides social, educational, and recreational opportunities, serving a primarily disadvantaged minority elderly population. The center was established in 1989 and has been designated as a nutrition site by the County of Riverside Office on Aging, as well as a Cool and Warm Center by the Riverside Community Action Partnership.

The center is currently limited by space, with a multipurpose room that can only accommodate 68 people, serving an average of 65 seniors daily. Nearly 25% of the Perris population is above the age of 50, creating an urgent need for expanded services and facilities.

The expansion will increase the center’s size by 2,250 square feet, including kitchen renovations and an expanded multipurpose room. The expansion will allow for more meals to be served, additional space for health and wellness services, and increased capacity to host interactive events and educational sessions.

The project will protect seniors from extreme weather, ensure food security, promote mental and physical health, and support the well-being of disadvantaged elderly residents.

Additionally, Takano has allocated funding for the City’s Code Enforcement Team in the amount of $200,000 for Body Cameras.

Public safety is a top priority for the City of Perris, especially when upholding municipal codes to prevent disasters. The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for field inspections to ensure compliance with building, zoning, safety, and nuisance codes, contributing to a safe and healthy community.

Body cameras will enhance officer safety by recording interactions with the public, documenting potential threats, and providing critical evidence in the investigation of incidents. The cameras will provide an objective, unbiased record of interactions, helping to resolve disputes and prevent misunderstandings, thereby building trust within the community.

The Code Enforcement Body Camera Public Safety Project will support the city’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public safety operations, reinforcing trust between the city’s enforcement officers and residents.