Suspicious Item Found at Mall

Incident:  Suspicious Item Found – Stores Evacuated

Contact:  Watch Commander, (626) 574-5156

Date / Time of Press Release:  September 29, 2011 – 9:30pm

On September 29, 2011 at about 6:15pm, police officers and Fire Department personnel responded to the Promenade area of the Westfield Shoppingtown regarding a suspicious item found in a rear corridor.  The item had the appearance of a possible explosive device.  Several stores were evacuated and a perimeter was established to keep patrons out of the area. 

The Los Angeles County Arson/Explosive Detail was contacted and they responded to assist.  The device was inspected and it was determined that it was not an explosive.  The evacuations were in effect for about 90 minutes.    

Chief Robert T. Guthrie

By: Lieutenant Bob Anderson    

Stay Informed!

The Arcadia Police Department street banner was hung above Baldwin Avenue at Huntington Drive earlier this week.  The banner is a part of our efforts to engage and reach out to the community through our use of various social media and instant communication platforms.  One of the goals of this participation is to enhance our ability to communicate with the community.  Through participation, the community becomes better informed as to the activity in their neighborhoods, information about the City, and we are able to build channels of communication with our citizens before crime, emergencies, or disasters strike.

Follow us on Twitter @ArcadiaPD or stop by our Facebook page.  Visit Nixle and sign-up for free alerts and messages sent directly to your email, along with texts sent to your cell phone, direct from the Department.  Our Nixle messages will include notifications like police activity, gas leaks, school lock downs, road closures, traffic information, community events, and much more.

The Public Information and Resources page on the Arcadia Police Department website has links to these and other programs offered by the Department, such as Crime Mapping, A Child is Missing, Online crime reporting, Weekly Activity Reports, and Crime Stoppers Submit a Tip.

Weekly Activity Highlights for September 18-24, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_9-18.pdf

Weekly Tip - Avoid Car Burglary

When it comes to auto burglaries, most cars that are broken into are targeted either because of opportunity or since someone has left valuables in plain sight.  Laptops, backpacks, purses, navigation devices, cell phones, all have been taken and are quite often listed as loss in reports. Keep your property out of sight, out of the car, or take it with you.  If items of value are left in your vehicle and are readily seen, you are creating a target and inviting a burglary.

Park in well lighted spots with good visibility. Be aware of your surroundings and look around. If you see someone suspicious or an occupied vehicle that looks out of place, note the description and license plate and call the police to report the activity. Don't invite the thief! Don't be a victim!

Weekly Activity Highlights for September 11-17, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_9-11.pdf

Weekly Tip - Double Parking

With school in session, double parking abounds on many roads near our schools. It is not uncommon to stop a parent and have them not understand what "double parking" means. The usual response is that they were "just dropping off" their student. Double parking is the simple act of stopping in a lane of traffic where a parked vehicle is present. Whether you place your car in "park", allow someone to enter or exit your vehicle, or simply are "waiting" on the street; you may be in violation of CVC 22500(h). By blocking the lane or causing other vehicle to slow or stop behind you, may also be the moving violation of Impeding Traffic, CVC 22400(a).

Double parking and allowing a passenger in or out of your car is a safety hazard. This type of violation is a common target of our Video Enforcement Program. Take a look. Pedestrians in the roadway pose a danger to themselves. Help improve traffic safety around our schools and keep our students safe - DO NOT DOUBLE PARK!

Local Police Chiefs Look to Technology

The latest article posted in the California Police Chiefs Association, Cal Chiefs News, features Arcadia Police Chief Bob Guthrie and neighboring Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt.  The article points out both neighboring Chiefs are embracing technology in furthering service to the community by their respective departments.

Bob Guthrie and Jim Hunt not only share the distinction of taking over as police chiefs in the adjacent cities of Arcadia and Monrovia within a month of each other this summer, but they also have similar visions about embracing technology and social media during an era of tight budgets and limited resources...

Be sure to link to the Cal Chiefs News to view the entire article and other great information from the California Police Chiefs Association.  

Child Passenger Safety Week

The week of September 18-24, 2011, is Child Passenger Safety Week in California. This week serves as a reminder to parents and everyone who transports kids to make sure that they are properly fitted for their car/booster seats and seat belts. Visit the Safe Kids USA website for tips and important information on child passenger safety! Safe Kids USA also has a link so that you can find local car seat check-up events in your area.

Weekly Activity Highlights for September 4 - 10, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_9-4.pdf

Weekly Tip - Stay Informed with Crime Mapping

We provide "Weekly Activity" reports to the local media for publication in their papers.  However, there is no longer a need to wait for the police blotter to appear once a week.  You can take a proactive approach to crime prevention by becoming aware of crime trends and activity in your neighborhood on a daily basis! 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 inbox. 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.



September 11th Remembrance Ceremony

Members of the Arcadia Police Officers' Association (APOA) joined the Arcadia Firefighters Association (AFFA) in a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony this morning, honoring those public safety professionals who paid the ultimate sacrifice ten years ago today, September 11, 2001.  The ceremony included a roll call of those lost that day our Nation was attacked, an honor guard and wreath laying, a traditional bell ceremony, reflections, song, and prayer.

In attendance were members of the community, members of the armed forces who call Arcadia their home, City dignitaries, and proud members of both the Arcadia Police and Fire Departments, current and retired.

During the ceremony, the AFFA paid special tribute to the FDNY Dean Street Station, Ladder Truck 105, whose station lost seven heroes on 9/11.  The Dean Street crew shares the same unit designation as AFD Station 105, Ladder Truck 105, and AFD personnel have enjoyed a relationship with the FDNY crew over the years since 9/11.  Photos of the seven FDNY Ladder Truck 105 heroes were displayed at the ceremony.

See additional photos of the ceremony on both the APD and APOA Facebook pages.    

September 11th Memorial Service

The Arcadia Firefighters' Association (AFFA) will be conducting a memorial service to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial service will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at the flag poles of Arcadia Fire Station 106, on the corner of Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue. The service will begin at 6:45 a.m.  This year marks the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks against our Nation.  To honor the sacrifice of the public safety officials who perished in the Twin Towers, the Arcadia Police Officers' Association will join the AFFA in honoring all law enforcement and fire fighter personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day.  A traditional bell ceremony, musical tributes, wreath laying, and a roll call will serve to commemorate the public safety personnel lost, and the strength, resilience and unity of the American people . The event is free and open to the public. A small coffee reception will immediately follow. Parking is available behind the station in the Westfield Santa Anita Mall parking lot.

Weekly Tip - Avoid that Parking Ticket

With school back in session, there is certainly no shortage of parking violations near the campuses. Some of the most common complaints and requests for police service near the schools are related to parking violations. In the rush to drop off a child, it is not uncommon to find parents double parking, stopping in a lane of traffic to drop off or pick up a child, parking or stopping in a red zone, parking well away from the curb because "the trash can" was in the way, blocking or impeding a resident's driveway...you name it, we see it.

Here are a few suggestions to help alleviate the congestion and avoid a parking or moving citation:

•Leave a few minutes earlier and avoid the rush.

•Park a little further away and walk your child to school.

•Obey all parking regulations.

•Follow the school's traffic plan.

•Be patient.

•Keep off the phone and pay attention.

•Set the example, don't encourage unsafe or illegal behavior.

•Be courteous to the school neighbors. It is NOT OK to impede a driveway, even if only for a few minutes.

Weekly Activity Highlights for August 28 - September 3, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_8-28.pdf

Happy Labor Day 2011