Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Weekly Tip - Know a Teen Interested in Law Enforcement? They Can Become a Police Explorer
WHAT IS AN EXPLORER?
An explorer is a volunteer scout that participates in civilian observer ride-a-longs. He or she assists the police with searches for evidence; report writing, desk officer duties, command post operations, crime prevention surveillance, disaster assistance, crowd and traffic control, security at major events, and other challenging assignments, some of which help the Explorers earn money for their post. Explorers also participate in educational and recreational trips, which involve visits to other police agencies throughout California and the Nation. With the training and direction received as Police Explorers, many young men and women have gone on to choose law enforcement as a career. Others have chosen to enter the Armed Forces and are now serving around the world.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Arcadia Police Department Explorer Program is designed for youths 14 to 18 years of age. After graduating from the San Gabriel Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Academy, explorers are assigned to Explorer Post 101. Police officers then work with the explorers in an effort to provide community service. Officers also provide insight and guidance to explorers who decide to pursue a career in law enforcement.
EXPLORER ACADEMY
The Explorer Academy is held at the San Gabriel Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Academy located in the City of Arcadia. Training includes instruction in crime prevention, basic law, report writing, drill and ceremonies, physical training, and other topics. Instruction is provided by current and retired Police Officers. Upon successfully completing the Academy requirements, recruits will receive a certificate verifying completion of training and an identification card.
QUALIFICATIONS
-Be at least 14 years of age and in the ninth grade, or 15 (regardless of the grade).
-Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all schoolwork.
-Pass an oral interview and a background investigation.
-Have no record of arrest convictions.
-Be free of any physical deficiencies that would jeopardize yourself or others.
-Maintain good moral character.
-Register with Learning for Life (Boy Scouts of America)
-Demonstrate a willingness to participate in Explorer activities.
-Attend and graduate from the Explorer Academy.
EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS
All equipment and uniforms (except shoes) are provided by the Police Department.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact a member of the Explorer Coordination Team at the Arcadia Police Department:
Detective Wally Ashby
Officer Larry Peralta
Officer Jeff Stark
(626) 574-5151
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Marijuana Grow House - News Release
Incident: Marijuana Grow House
Date and Time of Release: July 26, 2013 / 01:20 a.m.
Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police
By: Roy Nakamura, Lieutenant
Case: 13-3492
Date and Time of Release: July 26, 2013 / 01:20 a.m.
On July 25, 2013, at approximately 7:34 p.m., the Arcadia Police Department received a request for assistance from the Pasadena Humane Society. They reported that their field services personnel responded to a residence located in the 200 block of East Longden Avenue on a report of dogs-at-large. Once the dogs were located and returned to the residence, an attempt was made to contact the owner. The front door of the residence was open but there was no answer which prompted the call to the Arcadia Police Department for assistance.
The officers of the Arcadia Police Department were also unsuccessful in their attempts to contact anyone at the residence. The officers then entered the unsecured home to conduct a welfare check. During the check, the officers discovered what appeared to be a marijuana grow house operation. The home was unoccupied and no arrests have been made. Approximately three hundred marijuana plants in various stages were confiscated.
The Arcadia Police Department Detective Bureau is conducting the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5150, and refer to case #13-3492. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police
By: Roy Nakamura, Lieutenant
Case: 13-3492
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Remembering our Partner and Friend, Officer Mike Daleo
Flowers were placed today at the grave site of our fallen partner and friend, Officer Mike Daleo, who lost his battle with cancer three years ago today. We miss you, Mike!
Weekly Tip - What is a "Sharrow"?
"Sharrows" or Shared Lane Markings (SLMs) are pavement markings installed to direct bicyclists where to ride on roadways shared with motor vehicles. The SLM is typically used along corridors with insufficient width for bike lanes. The marking is intended to direct bicyclists in terms of positioning, provide guidance to motorists for awareness of bicyclist presence, and reduce the chance of bicyclists striking abruptly opened doors of motor vehicles on a shared roadway with on-street parking.
Sharrows are currently in use in some California cities and are being considered for use in others. Locally, Sharrows are used in areas of Los Angeles and some beach communities. South Pasadena received a grant to fund a Sharrow and bicycle project along Mission Street earlier this year.
Here are some articles on the topic:
If you come upon a marked Sharrow lane, remember to drive safely, share the road, and bicyclists are able to occupy the entire lane.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Nixle Message Types and Adjusting Your Settings
The Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog is a great way to stay informed on up to date info from your Police Department. But, we also offer emergency alert, advisory, traffic, and community information that can be sent directly to your cellular phone and email. This service is provided FREE to you and free to local governments (emergency notification) nationwide by Nixle. Nixle is operated in conjunction with NLETS, an international public safety information network providing secure, authenticated messaging.
The information distributed through Nixle is controlled by personnel at the Arcadia Police Department. Notifications or alerts of an emergent nature, community or City information, traffic or road closures, crime information, are just some of the examples of what can be communicated to the residents who subscribe to Nixle. The information can be sent to the entire user group or a specified target area based on locations related to the information. For example, a crime bulletin may be sent to a particular neighborhood or a specified radius, such as within a ¼ mile of the target address or area.
There are two ways to "subscribe" to the Arcadia Police Nixle alerts and notification. In order to receive just emergency alerts, you can text your zip code, 91006 or 91007, to the law enforcement Nixle number of 888777 on your text capable cell phone. You will receive a confirmation text in response letting you know that you are set-up properly. This will work for any zip code so long as the local agency or county is participating in Nixle. You may incur text related charges but that is based upon your personal cellular plan. This type of enrollment limits your notifications to emergency alerts to your cell phone only!
The more complete and informative way to subscribe to our Nixle page is to register on-line at http://local.nixle.com/arcadia-police-department/. By subscribing via the web, you will be able to receive all messages from the Arcadia Police Department. Once you subscribe to the Arcadia Community Wire, there are settings that allow you to select things such as the time of day that you may be notified and also types of notifications you receive. (See below)
(Settings allow you to select types of messages and method of delivery)
(Account allows to you select time of day messages will be sent to your phone)
By using Nixle, the Arcadia Police Department adds another valuable tool that allows us to better communicate and share information with our community. Use of Nixle is in addition to conventional notifications, meetings, bulletins, news releases, and other forms of communication. We look forward to sharing information with you!
License Plate Scanners Pits Policing Against Privacy from FOX11/KTTV
The Arcadia Police Department has been using Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) since 2008. FOX11 Reported Sandra Endo recently rode-along with Captain Paul Foley for a piece discussing the use of ALPR technology by police and privacy concerns. In addition to the FOX11 video, you can view a blog post about our ALPR equipped patrol units HERE.
For the complete article from FOX11, please link to www.MyFoxLA.com's post HERE.
Officer Matthies You will not be Forgotten
Members of the Arcadia Police Officers' Association placed a wreath at the grave site for slain Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies today in memory of his line of duty death. Officer Matthies was killed 86 years ago today.
Pictured are Officer Trejo, Detective Turner, and Officer Botello (left to right) at Live Oak Memorial Park in Monrovia.
Remembering Slain APD Officer Albert E. Matthies
Today is the 86th anniversary of the murder of Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies, the only Arcadia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Matthies was shot while detaining three young men near the intersection of Northview and Foothill in north Arcadia on July 18, 1927, shortly before midnight. Officer Matthies came upon the men inside a vehicle parked on Northview. Officer Matthies was unaware that the men were preparing to conduct a robbery at a business nearby. The rear seat passenger was Frank Miller. Miller pulled out a .45 cal handgun and shot at Matthies, striking him in the neck. Matthies later died from the gunshot wound at 12:07 AM on July 19, 1927.
Leo Bertolina, a friend of Matthies, was riding along that night in the police car. Bertolina was able to scramble away after being shot at and hit with flying glass from windows being struck by gunfire. Bertolina telephoned for additional police assistance. The trio of suspects got away that night but were later apprehended in Los Angeles within days. The three suspects were later convicted of the murder of Officer Matthies and sentenced to prison. The shooter died in prison. The two accomplices were later paroled and died shortly after release.
The murder of Officer Matthies is memorialized at the following locations:
- Plaque memorial at Foothill Blvd/Northview Ave, Arcadia CA. Northview Avenue has been co-named Albert Matthies Way in honor of Officer Matthies.
- Los Angeles County Peace Officers Memorial, Whittier CA
- California Peace Officers Memorial, Sacramento CA
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington DC
- Officer Down Memorial Page
- Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia CA
- Arcadia Police Department, Arcadia CA
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Southern California Gas Company Participating in Methane Emissions Study with Washington State University in Arcadia
During the week of July 22, 2013, a Washington State
University research team, accompanied by representatives of Southern California
Gas Company (So Cal Gas), will conduct field visits throughout various
locations in Arcadia. The field visits
will be for the purpose of studying methane emissions from facilities and/or
natural gas distribution pipelines.
Similar studies are also scheduled to take place in the cities of
Claremont, Covina, and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County in
Altadena.
The study is being conducted by Washington State University's
(WSU) Laboratory for Atmospheric Research.
The research team carefully selected numerous sites in various regions
around the country that meet specific criteria in order to ensure that the
dataset will be as comprehensive and representative for national scaling as
possible.
So Cal Gas does not expect any disruption or
inconvenience from the testing/site visits.
The team will set up portable equipment for short durations (20-30
minutes +/- setup and tear down) generally on private property or parkways. Also, there will be a So Cal Gas employee on
site at all times with the research team.
This information is provided as a courtesy should you
see WSU and So Cal Gas teams in your neighborhood. This message was adapted from a WSU Press
Release and information provided by So Cal Gas.
Always remember to never allow unknown persons access to
your home or property unless you have verified their purpose and identity.
Uniformed service employees will gladly provide
identification, company contact information, and should have an obviously
marked vehicle. If you have not called
for service, or you have any doubt, call the police. Our dispatch can be reached at 626.574.5123.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Weekly Tip - Vacation Home Checks
Before you head out of town for vacation this summer, do everything you can to make sure your home is safe while you are gone. After you get your home ready and ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, there is one more thing you can do to have some extra piece of mind while you are away.
The Arcadia Police Department’s Volunteers in Patrol offer a free Vacation Home Check where police volunteers will keep an eye on your home and conduct periodic safety checks on your property. To sign up for this free service, call 626-574-5151 the day before you leave.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Woman Struck on Head and Robbed in West Arcadia
After arriving home from work, a woman parked her car in the 800 block of Arcadia Avenue, at about 12:19 a.m. this morning. She walked to the sidewalk and was suddenly struck in the side of the head by what she thought was a closed fist. The victim fell to the ground and felt the suspect pull her purse off of her shoulder. The suspect said nothing and ran off westbound toward Golden West Avenue toward a second male suspect. The pair ran off out of sight and the victim ran to her apartment and called the police.
The victim suffered bruising to her head and arm and refused any medical treatment at the time of the call. The suspects made off with the victim's purse containing her wallet, miscellaneous credit cards, cell phone, and a minimal amount of cash.
The suspect descriptions were minimal with the first suspect being described only as a male, 5'08", thin build, possibly dark complected, wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans. The second was only described as a male.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Felony Vandalism Arrests - News Release
Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Felony Vandalism
Arrests
Two male adults have been charged with
three felony counts each for shooting a BB gun at a passing motorist,
possessing a weapon on a school campus, and vandalizing 31 windows at an
Arcadia school.
The pair was arrested by Arcadia
Police officers Monday night, July 8, 2013, at about 9:00 p.m. on the grounds of Longley Way
Elementary School, located at 2601 Longley Way Avenue, Arcadia. Officers had been called to the area after a
projectile struck the driver’s door of a car being driven eastbound on Las
Tunas Drive adjacent to the school. The
female driver stopped the car and saw the damage appeared to be from a BB or
pellet and called the police. Officers
arrived and contacted two males on the Longley Way campus. The men were in possession of a BB gun and
packages of BB’s. The pair told officers
they had been shooting at a bottle and denied aiming at the driver or car. A bottle was found, however, evidence led
officers to believe the shooting of the car was intentional. The suspects were arrested and booked at the
Arcadia City Jail.
While conducting this investigation,
officers saw the type of BB’s used to be consistent with BB’s found at the
scene of an extensive vandalism case on June 26, 2013. Thirty-one (31) windows had been shot out
with BB’s throughout the campus of Dana Middle School, 1401 S. First Avenue,
Arcadia, during the evening hours of June 25, 2013. Damage was discovered by a custodian and is
estimated to be in excess of $22,000.00.
Follow-up investigation and interviews determined the two suspects
in-custody were responsible for the vandalism of Dana Middle School.
Jacob C. Moreno, 18-years-old, of
Temple City, and Albert J. Lewis, 18-years-old, of Arcadia, were both charged
by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with felony counts of Assault
Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury, Vandalism, and Possessing a Weapon on
School Grounds, with the bail set at $50,000.00 for each.
Robert Guthrie, Chief
of Police
By: Tom
Le Veque, Sergeant
July
15, 2013/2:00 p.m. (Case #13-3225/2999)
Friday, July 12, 2013
What is that? - Automated License Plate Readers
Ever wonder what the odd looking device was on the roof of some of our patrol units? In 2008, the Arcadia Police Department began using a new tool in combating crimes and "wants" associated with vehicles. The Department initially purchased four, mobile based, automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems that are installed on patrol units. The system is manufactured by Federal Signal/PIPS Technology and is currently in use in many other agencies.
Simply speaking, cameras on the police unit read license plates on vehicles and then compare the plates read to those listed on a computer database. The vehicle and plate are also photographed. If there is a “hit” on the plate, such as a felony want or stolen vehicle, the PIPS system alerts the Officer who can then take action. If there is no hit, the vehicle information is stored in the database. The cameras work in daylight and darkness as they are equipped with infrared (IR) readers as well.
In addition to the use of this technology for recovering stolen vehicles and reducing auto theft, the system can be used to recover vehicles with excessive parking violations and as an investigative database as well. Investigators can conduct many different searches for suspect vehicles by use of the information collected by the PIPS system.
This is a great tool and has a positive impact our ability to investigate all crimes involving use of a vehicle,quickly and more efficiently.
National Night Out 2013
National Night Out is fast approaching and we wanted to let everyone know a bit about the night and how it will be celebrated here in Arcadia. Celebrating it’s 30th year, National Night Out is a unique crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. This year the date for National Night Out is Tuesday, August 6, 2013 and here is what it is designed to do:
• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
This is Americas night out against crime! The City of Arcadia will be celebrating National Night Out on Thursday, August 8, 2013 and it will be in conjunction the Arcadia Summer Concert on the lawn series. Please stop by and show your support for Arcadia’s Police and Fire Departments who will be in attendance for this very special occasion. Free fingerprinting for the kids, crime prevention materials and other information will be available. Last year over 37 million people, from 15,000 communities in all 50 states participated in this nationwide event.
Arcadia City Hall
240 West Huntington Drive
Thursday, August 8, 2013
6:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Arcadia Police Department Makes National Top Ten Twitter List
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) periodically conducts rankings of like sized police agencies throughout the nation for numbers of social media followers. The number of “likes” on Facebook and the number of “followers” on Twitter are considered. The IACP promotes the use of social media in law enforcement and aims to better inform and help law enforcement agencies build and use these social platforms for crime prevention, community engagement, and enhanced operations.
@ArcadiaPD has consistently been in the national top ten for Twitter followers since IACP began publishing these stats in 2012. Near the beginning of 2013, @ArcadiaPD was ranked 7th. As of June 2013, @ArcadiaPD was ranked 6th in the nation for police agencies of 50-99 sworn personnel. The account currently has 5,049 followers.
Other California police agencies in similar size to Arcadia Police Department who are ranked include; @MountainViewPD, ranked 1st (heart of the Silicon Valley), @SanRafaelPolice, ranked 9th, and @PaloAltoPolice, ranked 10th. Southern California’s @NewportBeachPD is ranked 5th in the category of agencies with 100-249 sworn officers. NBPD currently has 5,028 followers.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Da Bears...Be Bear Aware!
(Photo courtesy RMG News)
The City of Arcadia’s proximity to the foothills increases the opportunity for various wildlife to wander into neighborhoods and onto private property. Bears are no strangers to the foothill neighborhoods and the likelihood of bears coming into yards, pools, and trashcans is increased during the summer months.
Foothill residents should be alert for bears in their neighborhoods and take the following actions to prevent bear activity in their area:
- Secure trash cans in an enclosure if possible
- Harvest ripened fruit from trees
- DO NOT FEED the bears
Bears are wild animals and should not be approached.
Make sure to check your yards and closely monitor children to ensure they do not come into contact with bears or other wildlife that might cause them harm.
Should you see a bear in your neighborhood, contact the Arcadia Police Department at: (626)574-5151
For additional tips and information, please visit the California Department of Fish & Wildlife at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/bear.html
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Days Gone By
Have you visited the Arcadia Police Department Facebook page, Days Gone By? For some classic APD photos like these, please take a look!
Monday, July 8, 2013
The 1st Marine Division Band kicks off the Arcadia Summer Concert Series
The free Arcadia Summer Concert Series is fast approaching and kicks off this coming Thursday, July 11, 2013. The 1st Marine Division Band (Patriotic) will take the stage from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the City Hall lawn. In addition to great music and time with friends, there will be a Kid's Fun Zone for young children and food available for purchase from Dogtown Dogs. For more information or questions, please call 626.574.5113.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Enjoy a Safe 4th of July!
Wishing the best to all on this 4th of July. Celebrate safely and remember - ALL Fireworks are Prohibited in the City of Arcadia. HERE is a list of local fireworks shows in LA County.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Weekly Tip - 4th of July Pet Safety & Information
July 5th is a busy day for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and animal shelters around the country. The festivities we humans enjoy can be terrifying to our pets, and humane officers and concerned citizens bring countless dogs and cats—most of them exhausted and confused — to safety at animal shelters during and after the 4th of July holiday.
The safety and comfort of your pet requires special attention. PHS offers the following recommendations to help keep your pet secure.
•Do not take your pets with you to watch fireworks.
•Keep your pet inside during 4th of July celebrations. Many cats and dogs are frightened by the loud noises of fireworks and will be happier safely confined at home. Playing a radio may help diffuse the loud noise of fireworks.
•Be certain that your pet's ID tag is current. Update your pet's microchip information if necessary. A visible form of identification is the best way to ensure that your pet can be returned home to you.
•If you think your pet may become extremely agitated or stressed, consult your veterinarian and discuss the possibility of sedatives or overnight boarding. You may wish to call an animal behavior specialist to work with your pet, but do this well in advance.
•If your pet runs away, search the kennels of the shelter closest to you. Many shelters post photos of the animals that come into their facility on their website. PHS' website, www.pasadenahumane.org, is updated hourly so that lost animals may be quickly reunited with their lost owners. Post signs and visit nearby shelters for at least the next month. Animals can run a long way when they are badly frightened.
•If your cat is lost, it may stay in hiding for several days or weeks, so leave plenty of food and fresh water outside your door. (Pick it up at night so you don't attract unwanted wild animals.) Post signs and check your local and neighboring shelters in person and on line; your description of your pet may fit several animals in the shelter.
Staff at the Pasadena Humane Society will be available from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th and again at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 5th so people can find their lost pets.
The staff at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA wishes you and your pets have a very safe and happy 4th of July.
*PHS is is the primary Animal Care and Control provider for the City of Arcadia.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Sobriety & Driver's License Checkpoint, Saturday, July 6, 2013
July 6th, 2013
The Arcadia Police Department will be hosting a multi-agency sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday night July 6th, 2013, in accordance with a grant issued and administered by the Glendora Police Department from the Office of Traffic Safety, as part of the AVOID the 100 DUI Campaign, East-Los Angeles County. Participants will include officers and personnel from the Arcadia, El Monte, Monrovia, and Baldwin Park School Police Departments. The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location in Arcadia.
One of the goals of the checkpoint is to promote public safety and increase awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. This will be accomplished by providing a highly visible enforcement and publicity campaign, in order to deter intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and driving. Through these efforts, we also seek to reduce the number of injuries and deaths associated with collisions involving intoxicated drivers.
We would like to remind the public of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. It simply is not worth it to drive while impaired. Give the gift of life this holiday weekend and celebrate responsibly by using a sober designated driver. Remember, “Friends don’t let friend’s drive while impaired.”
Jan’s Towing provides a no cost “Don’t Drive Drunk” detour program, 365 days a year, and will provide a free lift home for drivers and their vehicles up to 7 miles in their service area. Call (626) 334-1383 for more information.
Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent news and information. Remember, the solution begins with you!
Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police
By: Brett Bourgeous, Traffic Sergeant
(626) 574-5475
Monday, July 1, 2013
Farewell to Retired Lieutenant Ed "Eddie O" Ostashay
We lost a member of the Arcadia Police Department family last Friday, June 28, 2013, when retired Lieutenant Ed Ostashay passed away. Ed's wife and kids were with him when he died.
Known to most of us as "Eddie O", Ed was a friend and mentor to many a young officer and partners alike. Ed was born in 1950, in Detroit, Michigan, and worked as a machine operator before becoming a police officer in 1972. Ed was promoted to Sergeant in 1981 and Lieutenant in 1986. Along his career path, he worked in Crime Prevention, Patrol, the Detective Bureau, Administration, and as the Reserve Officer Coordinator. Ed retired on March 28, 2002.
Lieutenant Ostashay is pictured below along with retired Sergeant Andy Balantyne on the roof of the old Bekins building. They were working a suicide case while both assigned to the Detective Bureau when the photo was taken.
Take a look at Ed's farewell email to his partners at APD...he left many of us with some good memories! Rest in peace, Ed, and watch over us!
Wilderness Park Closed, July 3-7 except for Day Camp - Santa Anita Canyon Rd. is subject to closure, July 3
Santa Anita Canyon Road may be subject to closure at any time, Wednesday-Saturday, July 3-6, 2013. Closure of Santa Anita Canyon Road will be determined based on weather or fire hazard conditions and will be made in cooperation with the Fire Service and Cities of Sierra Madre and Arcadia.
ALL Fireworks are Prohibited in the City of Arcadia.
http://local.nixle.com/alert/5024311/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)