Halloween Traffic Safety

This weekend and Halloween night will bring plenty of Halloween gatherings.  Please pay close attention for pedestrians and little goblins running across the street.  Watch out for our kids as they trick or treat on Halloween night from house to house or while getting out of parked cars.

Arcadia, like many communities, has many homes that are decorated and offer "haunted houses" attracting crowds of kids and traffic.  When visiting these locations, enjoy the experience but remember to obey traffic laws and parking regulations.

• Don't double park or drop off passengers in the roadway.
• Don't block driveways.
• Don't park in crosswalks.
• Don't park in front of fire hydrants.

Please be courteous and respectful of your neighbors.  Drive carefully and be aware of all the children celebrating this weekend!

And always - Don't Drink & Drive!

Roving DUI Patrols for Halloween Weekend

The Arcadia Police Department will join officers throughout Southern California this weekend by fielding additional officers targeting drunk drivers.  Our Traffic Officers are part of the California AVOID program and APD will be conducting roving DUI patrol on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from about 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Party goers will be out this weekend to celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday.  The Arcadia Police Department asks all to party responsibly and reminds you - Don't Drink & Drive!

Remember, everyone is different and any amount of alcohol consumption can impact your ability to safety operate a vehicle.  Designate a sober driver for your evening, plan ahead for a ride home, or take advantage of programs like "Don't Drive Drunk Detour Program" from Jan's Towing.  Jan's Towing will take you and your vehicle home if you have had too much to drink - for free within their local service area.  Call Jan's for details at (626) 914-1841.

To report a drunk driver, call 9-1-1.

Weekly Activity Highlights for October 16 - 22, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_10-16.pdf

Weekly Tip - Halloween Safety

The safety of our children is on our minds each and every day. The celebrations and traditions that go along with Halloween add to the importance of monitoring our children's activity and giving them the guidance to help keep them safe. Here are a couple of websites that offer good tips on Halloween safety:

• CDC (Department of Health & Human Services)

• Halloween-Safety.com

There are also options to traditional "trick or treating" that allow your children to celebrate in a controlled and safe environment. The Arcadia Public Library is offering a trick or treat in the library for Arcadia residents, TODAY, Wednesday, October 26th at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Call the library for information and registration at (626) 821-5567. The City will be hosting their annual Halloween event at the Community Center on Halloween, Monday, October 31st from 4:30-6:30 pm.  The Community Center event is open to the public.

Three Arrested for Residential Burglary After Pursuit

Incident:                                            Residential Burglary and Vehicle Pursuit

Date and Time of Release:                October 25, 2011 at 5:00PM

On Tuesday October 25, 2011 at approximately 11:30AM, the Arcadia Police Department received a call of an in-progress residential burglary in the 00 block of E Forest Avenue.  A neighbor reported seeing three unknown suspects enter a neighbor’s home, steal electronics, including a flat panel television, and leave in an awaiting vehicle.  Arcadia Police Officers spotted the suspects in their vehicle and attempted to pull them over.

The suspects failed to yield and led police on a high-speed chase eastbound on the 210 freeway, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph.  The suspects exited the freeway at Citrus Avenue in the City of Azusa, lost control and crashed their vehicle into shrubbery on the off-ramp.  One suspect was apprehended immediately and two additional suspects were captured after a short foot pursuit.  No injuries were sustained by officers or suspects. 

Arrested were:

1. Dominic Bertirotti, male Hispanic, 23 yrs old from Monrovia, $50k bail
2. Salim Alayache, male Middle-Eastern, 23 yrs from Pasadena, $50k bail
3. Salvador Esparza Jr., male Hispanic, 18 yrs from Azusa, $75k bail

The suspects are held at the Arcadia Police Department jail charged with residential burglary and felony evading of a police officer.

For any questions or concerns, contact the Arcadia Police Department at

(626)574-5150.

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By:      Lieutenant Paul Foley

Refer Case # 11-5196

Red Ribbon Week 2011

Red Ribbon Week runs October 22nd-30th, 2011. Red Ribbon Week began in remembrance of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena who was kidnapped and murdered in Mexico in 1985. Agent Camarena had been working undercover for the DEA and was key in developing information that led to the eradication of large scale narcotics manufacturing operations in Mexico. Mexican cartel leaders sought revenge for these operations, murdering alleged informants and ultimately Agent Camarena. The Red Ribbon Coalition website gives a well written summary of the history of Red Ribbon Week and offers an excellent tribute to slain DEA Agent "Kiki" Enrique Camarena.

Following his death, in Agent Camarena's home town, Calexico, CA, the public outpouring of support turned in to an organized community response in which citizens dawned red ribbons. They became a voice for prevention in order to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and use of drugs in America. The following year the California State PTA adopted the Red Ribbon Campaign. Then, in 1988, Red Ribbon Week was recognized nationally with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as the Honorary Chairs.

Today, the Red Ribbon Celebration brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.

Peace Officer Memorial Dedicated at APD

Retired Captain Randy Kirby and the Arcadia Police Officers' Association presented the Arcadia Police Department with a Peace Officer Memorial plaque at a dedication ceremony held today.  The plaque hangs in the entryway of the police station and is dedicated to those law enforcement officials who have died in the line of duty serving the City of Arcadia and our community.

Albert E. Matthies is the only Arcadia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty.  Officer Matthies was gunned down in 1927 near the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Northview Avenue.  Officer Matthies was recently honored with a ceremony and honor guard on the anniversary of his death.  His name has been placed below the memorial plaque.

About 9 years before the murder of Officer Matthies, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy, assigned to the Sierra Madre area, was gunned down at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue.  Deputy George Van Vliet was killed on November 18, 1918, by a "Bonnie and Clyde" type duo who had previously murdered two lawmen in Colorado.  Deputy Van Vliet was assisting the Pinkerton Agency and the Postal Authority in attempting to capture the duo at a gas station and market in Arcadia when the gun fight took place.  The suspects were killed by the deputies, but Deputy Van Vliet also died in the gun battle.  His name joins that of Officer Matthies on our memorial.

For additional photos, please visit the Arcadia Police Department Facebook photo album page.

DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON!

Drop, Cover, and Hold On!  It's 10:20 a.m. and we are participating in the Great California Shake Out, a simulated earthquake exercise for all of California.  Are you prepared for the next big quake?  How are we teaching our children and loved ones to respond in the event of an earthquake?  Some great information can be found at EarthquakeCountry.info. 

 

Weekly Tip - Driving in the Fog

With winter comes adverse driving conditions.  The roadways were damp and fog had settled in this week throughout the San Gabriel Valley.  In conditions like this, it is important to slow down and increase your following distance.  When driving in the fog, make sure that your low beams remain on - use of high beams will only decrease your visibility.  Allow your vehicle to warm up before leaving and use window defrosters.  Open your windows slightly and listen for other traffic on the roadway.  Visit the CHP website for other winter driving tips.

Weekly Activity Highlights for October 9 - 15, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_10-9.pdf

Arcadia Elks Honor Local Public Safety

The Arcadia Elks Lodge 2025 honored local police, fire, sheriff, and CHP personnel at their annual appreciation luncheon today.  In attendance were members from the Arcadia and Sierra Madre Police Departments, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Temple Station, Arcadia and Sierra Madre Fire Departments, Sierra Madre Search & Rescue, and the California Highway Patrol - Altadena and Baldwin Park Stations.  Representatives from each agency were presented with a charitable donation from the Elks during the luncheon.

We wanted to take a moment and thank the members of Lodge 2025 for the honor, the luncheon, and their continued support of each of the agencies. This is a great event that has been a long standing tradition for our local Arcadia Elks. Thanks again from the men and women of APD.

Weekly Activity Highlights for October 2-8, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_10-2.pdf

Weekly Tip - Earthquake Preparedness

Law Enforcement along with all emergency service personnel responds when an earthquake strikes. The better prepared every family and individual is, the better off we will all be in the event of a catastrophic quake. Emergency services are prioritized in the event of a disaster and you may not receive the immediate response from police, fire, medics, public works or any other service that would normally occur on a daily basis. FEMA has a website dedicated to earthquake preparedness and includes topics of what to do BEFORE, during, and after an earthquake. Other websites have earthquake and disaster preparedness lists and are a great resource for preplanning. The American Red Cross has readymade kits available as well. Take the time to research the topic. Discuss options with your family and be ready in the event of a significant earthquake in our area.

Great Reminder about Phone Scams & the Elderly

The Pasadena Star News ran a recent article on phone scams targeting "grandparents" or other older relatives occurring in the Whittier area.  Brian Day at the PSN has been following this type of scam and mentions Arcadia in the article from previous incidents earlier in the year.  The article serves as a great reminder to be aware of this type of scam.  Take the time to talk with older relatives or neighbors, and let them know about these scams.  Tell them to always confirm the identity of the caller and immediately follow-up with their families to verify any alleged "problems" before parting with their money.  Here are links to previous posts on this topic:

• "Grandparent Scam" - Don't Fall Prey 
• Weekly Tip - Telephone Scams & the Elderly
• Elder Scams courtesy of Redlands Police Department

Weekly Tip - Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence calls are all too common on police blotters. California law has evolved over the years and encourages officers to make arrests in these types of incidents. October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month by the Presidential Proclamation.  The purpose is to bring education and prevention efforts to the forefront and help reduce the number of domestic violence victims.

Additional information and resources on domestic violence issues can be found at the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence websites. If you are a victim or know someone who is a victim, put an end to the cycle. Call your local police agency or a hotline today.

Weekly Activity Highlights for September 25 - October 1, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_9-25.pdf