Thursday, February 26, 2015

Purse Snatches from Parking Lots of Asian Markets


Arcadia PD has experienced several purse thefts between 12/16/14 and 2/25/15, occurring in the parking lots of Asian markets.

The purse theft victims have all been Asian females who have had their purses taken from the trunk area of their car or the front passenger’s seat. The suspect opens the passenger door and removes the victim’s purse before fleeing to an awaiting vehicle.

The suspects have all been Hispanic males of varying ages and descriptions. Please be aware of your surroundings. Always lock your car doors, even if you are sitting inside. Keep your purse and valuables out of view. Do not leave your purse on the car seat, on the car roof, or in an open trunk where it can be easily stolen.

* Call the police immediately and report any suspicious subjects or vehicles
* Obtain license plate and as much vehicle information as possible

Anyone with information on this or similar crimes is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5150.  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.


Arcadia Police Department Launches Weibo Page, Broadening Reach to Chinese Community in Arcadia

Arcadia Police Chief Bob Guthrie is excited to announce the Department’s new page launch on the Chinese-based social media website, Weibo – a social platform used in similar fashion to Facebook and Twitter. “Weibo” is the Chinese word for “micro blog”, and is one of the most popular websites in China with more than 500 million subscribers from around the world.  “By sharing information on Weibo, our Department will broaden its reach to our Chinese population in Arcadia, which makes up approximately 60% of our community,” said Chief Guthrie.

The APD Weibo page will be posted in simplified Chinese, as well as some English, and will be maintained with messaging similar to other APD social platforms currently in use like Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, and the APD Blog. Police Volunteer David Liu will assist with translation for the postings and messaging.

The Police Department’s participation on Weibo will enhance its ability to better engage and communicate with a specific portion of its community that, to this point, has not been easily reached through social media. “The Arcadia Police Department’s motto is Making a Difference,” said Chief Guthrie, “and we expect Weibo to help us do just that when it comes to expanding our communication efforts within the community we serve.”

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Weekly Tip - Stop Means Stop!

How many times a day do you come upon a stop sign? Stop signs are everywhere in our community and are sometimes ignored or not adhered to properly by drivers. California Vehicle Code (CVC) section 22450 defines the requirement for stop signs in California. The law is fairly simple; if there is a stop sign posted with a limit line, stop at the limit line. If there is no limit line, but there is a crosswalk, stop at the line prior to entering the crosswalk. If there are no lines in the street, stop even with the stop sign before entering the intersection or making a turn.

One of the most common statements by a driver after being stopped for running a stop sign is that they did stop. The first questions to ask yourself as a driver in that situation are: "Where did I stop?" and "Did I come to a complete stop?" Our local court has made it clear and says that a driver must stop at the limit line, stop sign or crosswalk, and not a car length back or beyond the line.

Other common stopping violations include: failing to stop when turning, a rolling stop, and following the car in front of you through a stop sign when in traffic. Each vehicle is required to come to a full and complete stop. Don't sneak through on a turn or next to the car in the other lane. A lawful and complete stop is not a "California roll". A complete stop is when there is a complete "cessation" of movement. Please adhere to stop signs and recognize that they are in place for your safety and the safety of all other persons on the road.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Weekly Activity Highlights for February 8 - 14, 2015

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_2.8.15.pdf

Weekly Tip - Recurring IRS Phone Scam

We don't think anyone needs to be reminded it is tax season, but we do want to make you aware of yet another phishing scam by phone popping up again in California - the IRS Scam.  A few years ago, a City employee actually received a call on a non-published line from a female caller claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The caller appeared not to know she had reached a City line and tried to solicit personal information from the employee.  The caller claimed there was a problem with the employee's taxes and wished to confirm her social security number and other information.  The caller hung up when the employee politely told her that her taxes had already been filed and the refund received.

Phishing scams by telephone are nothing new.  Thieves are always looking for a new or different way to obtain personal information from people and then use it to gain fraudulent credit, commit theft, and other crimes.  Many calls, like this one, are done randomly and the victim is not specifically targeted.

The IRS offers some good advice and information on scams on the IRS website.  Take a look at the their video below for additional information on this recurring scam.  And, remember, the IRS will never call you seeking personal information over the phone!


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Weekly Tip - Don't Go Breaking Anyone's Heart


Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Valentine's Day this Saturday! But, please don't let any hearts be broken by driving under the influence and causing someone to be injured.  If you are out celebrating the holiday with a loved one, make sure to get everyone home safely! That broken heart could even be your own...

Don't Drink and Drive!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Reminder - APD Parking Lot Closed, February 9-20


Just a reminder that the APD parking lot will be closed to all access from February 9-20, 2015, due to construction and paving. Please use the City Hall parking lot for all Police and City business during this time. The City Hall lot can be accessed from either E/B or W/B Huntington Drive.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Happy 5th Birthday to the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog!


It was five years ago today that the Arcadia Police Department launched our News & Information Blog.  The first post launching the Blog was on February 5, 2010.  To date, we have had over 340,240+ visits to the Blog and have brought you 1,160 posts throughout the years, including offering a "Weekly Tip" on each Wednesday to help keep you better informed.  Happy 5th Birthday to the APD Blog!


The most popular post so far was simply wishing everyone a Happy Easter in 2010, with 14,519 views.  The most viewed "Weekly Tip" has been on Stop Signs and the most visited page within the Blog has been the Chief's Corner.  Most tips are often updated and re-posted every year or so, as long as they remain relevant.


We hope that you have been happy with the content provided and find value to our service.  Be sure to take advantage of our other Social Media sites, easily accessed from the Blog sidebar.  Visit APD on Facebook, Twitter (@ArcadiaPD), Instagram, Pinterest, Nextdoor, MyPD app, and subscribe for our emergency and community alerts on Nixle!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Weekly Tip - In a Collision? Now What?


Traffic collisions can be stressful and confusing. Take the time to be prepared ahead of time so that collecting information accurately and completely will be easy. Check with your insurance agent or a local body shop, sometimes they will supply you with a pre-printed check list that you can keep in your glove box. Another resource is the DMV. There is a page devoted to collision information, including reporting requirements to the State. See the DMV page HERE.

The first thing to do is to check for injuries to you or any other involved driver or passenger. If someone is injured, call 9-1-1 and report the collision immediately. If there are injuries that require medical attention, leave the vehicles in place until police and fire personnel arrive.

If no one is hurt and the vehicles are able to be moved, remove them from the roadway. Pull to the side of the road, into a parking lot, or on to a side street - out of traffic. Evaluate the damage and if there is substantial damage or injury, the police should be called to the scene. If the damage is minor and no one is injured, exchanging information between drivers is acceptable. Most drivers believe that a police report is always required. This is NOT the case and some agencies will not even respond to minor collisions. Absent prosecution for major collisions, death, hit and run, unlicensed drivers etc, the police report is simply paperwork for the insurance companies.

When exchanging information, record the following:

•Date, time and location of the collision
•Name, address and phone numbers for all drivers and passengers
•Drivers license numbers for involved drivers
•Insurance company name, policy number and policy holder for all drivers or vehicles
•Complete vehicle information of involved vehicles to include license number, make, model, color, description such as pick-up, four door etc and name of registered owner if different
•Description of any damage
•Photographs of damage, or lack there of, other parties and scene if safe to do so
•Note lane position of each vehicle and where the vehicles were prior to and at time of collision
•Note any unusual conditions such as inoperative lights, vision obstruction
•Note/photograph any physical evidence like skids or debris resulting from collision

Remember, you must carry with you and present to a police officer, your driver's license, proof of insurance and current vehicle registration when stopped by an officer or involved in a collision.

In California it is a crime to not stop if you are involved in a traffic collision.  As mentioned above, usually traffic collisions are just paperwork for insurance companies.  When you fail to stop when involved in a collision, you can be charged criminally.  The fact that you don't have a valid driver's license or current auto insurance is not worth being charged with a Hit-and-Run. 

Be safe, slow down, and wear your seat belt!!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Weekly Activity Highlights for January 25 - 31, 2015

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_1.25.15.pdf

Kids Love the Lights


Officer Stark, our School Resource Officer, gives a group of preschool kids a look at one of our units. We have school groups come through quite often for tours of the station. One of the favorite stops is the rear lot where they see the lights on a police unit and hear how loud the sirens and air horns are. Thanks to our APD Volunteer David Liu for the photo.