The "Grandparent" scam has been making the rounds, to include local victims. The Redlands Police Department put together a very nice video demonstrating how the scam may work. This video is a great way to get the word out to the community and bring awareness to this crime. Please pass this information on to your loved ones and friends!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Weekly Tip - April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Congress designated April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Arcadia Police Department joins in bringing your attention to the dangers associated with distracted driving. The video above comes from the National Safety Council, an excellent resource for education and awareness information related to distracted driving.
Here are some interesting facts on the topic, courtesy of the California Office of Traffic Safety:
· “Distraction” is a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on some other activity instead. (Source: Overview of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Driver Distraction Program).
· The No.1 source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device. (Source: Virginia Tech/NHTSA)
· Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
· Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. (Source: Carnegie Mellon)
· Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source: University of Utah)
Help improve safety for all on the road - don't drive while distracted!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Staged Auto Collisions
If you have been victimized, we encourage you to report the event. If you become involved in a minor collision on the street, or in a parking lot, and you believe the collision is staged, call the police immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia Police Detectives at 626-574-5160. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by clicking on the "Submit a Tip" button on the APD Blog side bar.
Refer any questions to Lieutenant Bob Anderson, Patrol Division, 626-574-5156.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Weekly Tip - Crime Mapping
Take a proactive approach to crime prevention by becoming aware of crime trends and activity in your neighborhood! The Arcadia Police Department provides the community with daily updates that detail crimes occurring within our jurisdiction through the service CrimeMapping.com. You can access the CrimeMapping.com website at any time, or you can subscribe to daily email alerts, delivering a daily synopsis of activity directly to your email in-box. Community members are the first step in crime prevention and this type of information will give you the advantage in knowing what to watch for. Sign-up for daily updates HERE.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Looking Forward to Summer in Arcadia
Over on the Arcadia's Best website, Scott Hettrick has a nice article outlining some upcoming summer activities for the Arcadia community, including the return of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce summer carnival, along with an Independence Day weekend celebration.
The summer carnival is scheduled for the weekend of June 24-26, 2011, and the Independence Day celebration will take place on Saturday, July 2, 2011. According to the article, the Independence Day activities will include "...this town’s first-ever Independence Day weekend community parade, street fair, car show, and performance program." Take a look at Arcadia's Best for details of the listed events and much more information.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Driver's Edge Returns to Arcadia
The non-profit driver training program, Driver's Edge, returns to Arcadia over the weekend of April 16-17, 2011, to Santa Anita Race Track. Driver's Edge offers four sessions over the weekend, free of charge, to young drivers between the ages of 15-21 that have a valid drivers license or permit. Each session is a combination of behind the wheel, classroom, and safety instruction for the drivers. This is an excellent program for our kids! Visit the Driver's Edge website link above. Unfortunately, the sessions are already full for this year, but they are taking student names to be placed on a waiting list.
Traffic Officers from the Arcadia Police Department will assist with the instruction for all four sessions. Take a look at our blog post from the event last year, HERE.
Friday, March 18, 2011
WANTED for Grand Theft
WANTED for Grand Theft
Female, possibly Hispanic, 5'-04"/140-150 lbs, dark straight hair.
Last Wednesday, March 16, 2010, a woman was shopping at the Pavilions Market, 745 W. Naomi, Arcadia. When the victim went to pay for her groceries, her wallet was missing from her purse. At some point while shopping, someone removed the wallet from the victim's purse, which had been placed in a baby seat attached to the shopping cart. The theft of the wallet occurred sometime between 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Within an hour, the victim learned that her stolen credit cards were being used at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall, 400 S. Baldwin, Arcadia, to make purchases at two locations, to include Nordstrom & Daniel's Jewelers. The suspect using the stolen credit cards is shown above in a photograph from Nordstrom's security cameras. It is possible that the stolen cards were used at additional local locations and the investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia Police Detectives at 626-574-5160. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by clicking on the "Submit a Tip" button on the APD Blog side bar.
Brought to you by Blogger!
A quick shout out to our blog host, Blogger. This free platform allows the Arcadia Police Department to bring current news and information directly to you, free of charge. With current budgets being what they are today, we can't say thanks enough to products like Blogger!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Roving DUI Patrols in Arcadia Tonight!
Just got a reminder from our Traffic Lieutenant that members of the Arcadia Police Department Traffic Bureau will be out tonight, evening and early morning hours, conducting roving patrols for those driving under the influence (DUI). As noted in our previous post, we wish that everyone enjoys their St. Patrick's Day celebrations, but always remember to party responsibly. Don't Drink and Drive! Dial 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers! There are many other options like calling a cab, calling a friend or family member, having a designated sober driver - all are good choices.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at the Arcadia Police Department!
Celebrate smartly and safely! If you plan on attending a celebration party or event where you will be drinking, please designate a driver for you and your group. Should you partake too much, take advantage of Jan's Towing Detour Program. Jan's will take both you and your car, in tow, home. There are some restrictions, call Jan's at (626) 914-1841 for details.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Heads are Shaved at St. Baldrick's Event
A big thank you to Matt Mc Sweeney, owner of Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant, for hosting the annual St. Baldrick's event last night at his restaurant. The Arcadia Police Department was well represented at the event and our personnel raised $3,550.00 in donations to help fight childhood cancer. As you can see from the photos, there are quite a few shaved heads at APD now! Thanks to Sergeant Dan Crowther for coordinating the event for APD. Sergeant Crowther was joined by Sergeants Castro & Whalen, Officers Castro, St. Pierre, K. Clark, Tea, Trejo, Ventrice, Jurman, Turrell, K. Lee, Fox, Jackson, Stark, & Botello, Community Service Officer Calatyuud, and Cadet Elders - all shaved their heads for this worthy cause!
Many members of the community also participated as well as members of the Arcadia Fire Department. Take a look at an informative article by Tiffanie Ma at the Arcadia Patch. The event raised over $30,000.00 for St. Baldrick's this year.
Weekly Tip - Home Repair, Tree Work, other service? Check their License!
People get taken advantage of in many ways when it comes to consumer fraud. One common scheme that is fairly easy to protect yourself against is the unlicensed contractor or repair person. Be careful when you respond to an ad for remodeling, home repair, tree trimming, or other services. Be leery of the person who is "just passing by" and stops, offering to perform body work on a car in your driveway. Not only does the City require a business license to perform most work in town, but the State requires many professions to maintain licenses as well. Check websites like the State Contractors Board and the LA County District Attorney for license information and other consumer fraud tips. Do homework before you enter into financial arrangements with these people. Don't be taken advantage of!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"If You See Something, Say Something" - U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The following is a video provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with their public awareness campaign, "If You See Something, Say Something." The campaign is meant to raise awareness of terrorism and violent crime indicators, stressing the importance of observing and reporting things that you see in your community. The video is just shy of ten minutes. Please take some time to view this important message from DHS.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Why I Love My Job
From time to time, our officers have the opportunity to conduct school visits, work with student groups, assist with leadership or career workshops, and other events that interact with the kids in the community. One of the most rewarding benefits to these opportunities is when the officer receives a "thank you" card, photo, or note from the kids that we have worked with.
Officer Bryant Agcaoili recently shared a "thank you" from students at Highland Oaks School that was sent for him and Officer Karl Taylor. Bryant's comment, "I love my job because of little things like this." I could not agree more with Bryant's thoughts!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Three Men Arrested for Residential Burglary
A woman was disturbed yesterday morning by loud and continuous knocking on her front door at about 8:45 am. Not expecting anyone and feeling that these actions were unusual, the resident looked through the peep hole and saw a male, who she did not know, standing on the front porch. She continued to watch the man as he walked to the side of the residence and then returned to the front door, knocking once again. The male left the porch and now entered the backyard. The female ran to the master bedroom and woke her husband. As she did so, they heard persons on their rear deck and at a rear bathroom window. The residents immediately dialed 9-1-1 to report a burglary in progress. While on the phone, the residents watched as two male suspects, both male African-American adults, walk briskly out of the backyard and down the driveway toward the street. One of those suspects was the man the resident saw on the front porch.
Officers arrived at the home, located in the 400 block of Arbolada, and confirmed that an attempt burglary had occurred at the residence. The suspects had removed the bathroom screen and tried to open the window. It appears that the suspects either saw or heard the residents inside the home and abandoned their attempts to gain entry, choosing to flee.
A short time later, a Sierra Madre Police Officer stopped a vehicle on Baldwin Avenue at the IS 210 Freeway. The occupants in the vehicle matched the suspect descriptions from the attempted burglary and were detained. APD officers responded to assist on the traffic stop, and after positive identification of two of the suspects, the trio was taken into custody. Additional evidence was found inside the vehicle and the investigation is continuing.
Kenneth M. Battle, male African-American, 25 years old from Los Angeles, and Justin D. Tyson, male African-American, 29 years old from Fontana, were both booked on felony charges of attempt residential burglary, receiving stolen property, and a parole hold with no bail. Dewayne M. Tyars, male African-American, 25 years old from Redlands, was also booked on felony charges of attempt residential burglary and receiving stolen property with a bail of $50,000.00. All three suspects were booked at the Arcadia City Jail.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Prepare and Use Your Cell Phone During Disasters
FEMA provides some excellent information on use of a cell phone during a disaster in a recent blog post, HERE.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Brazen Robbery Foiled
Two juveniles chose the wrong location to target for a robbery yesterday. Shortly before 11:00 am, the pair entered the Advantis Ride Shop in the 1000 block of South Baldwin and pulled out two "handguns", threatening and ordering an employee to the ground. The employee, fearing for what may happen if he complied, grabbed one the weapons and forced it away from one of the suspects. The victim struck one of the suspects and knocked him down, but was attacked by the second suspect with the butt of one of the weapons. The suspects abandoned their robbery and fled with the employee giving chase.
An Arcadia Police Officer happened to pull into the parking lot near the Ride Shop and was flagged down by a witness. Officers responded to the area and after a brief area containment, the suspects were found and detained. The employee victim identified both juveniles who were taken into custody. Officers located pieces of a broken replica handgun and other evidence at the scene.
The juveniles, 16 and 15 years old, both from Pasadena, were booked on felony charges of attempted robbery, false imprisonment, and assault with a deadly weapon. The juveniles were transferred to the Eastlake Juvenile Detention Facility after booking.
Weekly Tip - Window Tinting
From the California Highway Patrol (CHP) website:
Most of the time, this violation is a "fix-it" ticket and can be signed off by a police officer. Unless the material you have applied is clear, UV only, with documentation, almost all tinting is unlawful in California.
Refer California Vehicle Code sections 26101 and 26708(a)(1).
Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?
The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are: The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting. If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.
The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.
However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced
Most of the time, this violation is a "fix-it" ticket and can be signed off by a police officer. Unless the material you have applied is clear, UV only, with documentation, almost all tinting is unlawful in California.
Refer California Vehicle Code sections 26101 and 26708(a)(1).
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Police Explorers to Host a Car Wash
The Arcadia Police Explorer Post #101 is hosting a fundraising car wash on Saturday March 5, 2011 at Holly Avenue School.
Please stop by between the hours of 7:00AM & 4:00PM and get your car cleaned by this energetic and motivated group of young men and women.
Any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated!!!!
Holly Avenue School is located at:
360 W. Duarte Road
Arcadia, CA 91007
(Corner of Duarte Road & Holly Avenue)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Weekly Tip - Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is not an uncommon factor in collisions, especially while travelling or on the highway. Granted, fatigue may set in more frequently at night, but daytime drivers may be just as susceptible. Time, distance, and being mentally/physically alert are your friends while driving. Fatigue can greatly reduce your ability to react or interpret road conditions, hazards, and other factors that impact safe operation of your vehicle. Pay attention to warning signs: dozing off, heavy eyelids, yawning, drifting, just to mention a few.
The US Department of Transportation offers some good information and tips to recognize and avoid driver fatigue. The information targets commercial drivers, but is applicable to all drivers.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Battle of the Badges
Come cheer on members of the Arcadia Police and Fire Departments as they battle it out on the basketball court to raise money for Special Olympics! Friday, April 22, 2011, 7:00 pm, at the Arcadia High School. Contact Officer Walter Ashby for additional information at (626) 574-5188 or washby@ci.arcadia.ca.us.
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