Celebrate New Year's Eve Safely!

We will celebrate New Year's Eve tonight and there are a number of things to consider when it comes to celebrating safely. Here are a few things to think about for our New Years celebrations:

•Don't Drink and Drive!

•Use a designated driver, or if need be, call AAA Tipsy Tow for a ride home for you and your car. See AAA website or call 800-400-4222 for information.

•DO NOT fire weapons into the air. Bullets and projectiles can travel long distances causing injury and death. You have no control where a projectile will land when fired indiscriminately into the air.

•Stay inside at the stroke of midnight! Celebrate with friends and family indoors.

•Keep an eye on your pets. Loud noises, fireworks, gunshots, all can be frightening to animals. Keep your pets indoors or consult your veterinarian for options. Make sure they are wearing collars with identification should they become lost.

Remember to celebrate safely and smartly. Enjoy the New Year celebration!

Weekly Tip - Tipsy Tow Leaves NO Excuse to Drink and Drive!

It's almost New Year's Eve and while we understand folks will be celebrating, we will not tolerate drinking and driving. Our officers will be looking for those who have had too much to drink and will be arresting them for DUI.

There are some steps you can take to help stop driving under the influence:

• Plan ahead - designate a sober driver. Many restaurants offer incentives to designated drivers.
• If you are hosting a party - stop serving alcohol well ahead of anyone leaving. They do it at the ball park!
• If a friend or family member has had too much to drink - take the keys away!
• Think you are out of options? Not yet - take advantage of AAA's Tipsy Tow. Member or not, on New Years Eve, AAA will give you and your car a ride for up to seven miles in their service area for free. Call 800-400-4222.

NO Excuses - Don't Drink and Drive! If you are on the road and see a suspected drunk driver, call 9-1-1 and help save a life!  

Weekly Activity Highlights for December 20 - 26, 2015

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=5573

In Town for the Rose Bowl or Rose Parade?

Visitors in town for the parade or big game?  Have a friend staying at one of our local hotels?  Nixle is a great resource for those living in town or visitors to the area. The two major agencies responsible for Tournament of Roses activity both have active Nixle accounts and share valuable safety information with the public. The Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, along with other local police agencies like Arcadia, Burbank, and South Pasadena, all use the Nixle platform for instant messaging.

We would like to encourage everyone, including those visiting the area, to take advantage of these services and subscribe to local public safety before the need arises.

A simple method to subscribe for Nixle alerts is to text your zip code, or perhaps the zip code for your local hotel, to 888777. For those in Arcadia, text either 91006 or 91007 to 888777 and you will be included in any emergency alerts sent by APD.  Check with your host or concierge for the local zip code for your area hotel in neighboring cities.

You can also download our smart phone app for links to other information and services.

Merry Christmas 2015!

From our Arcadia Police Department Family to Yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Official Santa Tracker

If you have not visited the Official NORAD Santa Tracker with your kids, you are missing out of some fun in keeping the spirit of Santa alive.

Take a look at their page throughout the day and evening on Christmas Eve and watch as they "track" the route and location of Santa. There are several tabs with history and other information about Santa to entertain your family.

Ho Ho Ho and a Merry Christmas to all!

Robbery at Bank Inside Market on West Huntington Drive

Incident: Robbery

Contact: Watch Commander – (626) 574-5156

On Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at about 3:32 P.M., Arcadia police officers were dispatched to the US Bank, located inside the Ralph’s Grocery Store, at 1101 West Huntington Drive for a robbery that had just occurred. The bank teller reported a male walked up to the window, produced a demand note for U.S. currency and the teller complied with his demands. With the U.S. currency in his hands the male suspect walked out of the location and away from the area without being seen.

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, approximately 26 to 27-years-old, 5’09” tall, a short goatee and weighing approximately 200 pounds. This individual was seen wearing a black and white striped Fedora with a black band, a dark hooded sweatshirt and black pants. There is no further description at this time.

The loss of U.S. currency is unknown at the time of this release.

This incident is being investigated by Arcadia Police Department Detectives. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151, case #15-6384. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.


Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By: J. Davis, Sergeant

Road Closures, NO Parking, and Traffic Info for December 26th in Arcadia

The day after Christmas is sure to bring many visitors, shoppers, and racing fans to the City of Arcadia. The Westfield Santa Anita Mall will be filled with people seeking sales, exchanges, and returns. The Santa Anita Race Track comes to life once again, with opening day for live racing. Yes, this coming Saturday, December 26th, will surely be a busy day in town!

The mall can be accessed off Baldwin Avenue and Huntington Drive. Shoppers may see gate closures inside Gate 8 (north of JC Penney) and best times for arriving or departing the mall would be earlier in the morning, mid-afternoon, or evening hours, after the race track has closed. Please use Gates 9 or 10, just north of Huntington Drive, for mall access.

The majority of Race Track patrons leave between the hours of 3:00pm - 7:00pm, so the following closures and restrictions will be in place during that time period:

BALDWIN AVENUE:

- Traffic congestion between Huntington Drive & the 210 freeway

- There will be No Parking on Baldwin Avenue between Hugo Reid and Huntington Drive from 3:00pm – 7:00pm

HUNTINGTON DRIVE:

- There will be No Left Turns from E/B Huntington to N/B Baldwin Avenue (Left Turn Lanes will be Closed from 3pm-7pm)

- There will be No Right Turns from W/B Huntington Drive to N/B Baldwin Avenue (Right Lane Closed from 3pm–7pm)

COLORADO PLACE:

- All Southbound lanes of Colorado Place will be closed at the intersection with Colorado Boulevard (closure in effect from 4pm – 7pm). All traffic will be detoured onto E/B Colorado Blvd towards Santa Anita Avenue.

If you would like to avoid the traffic congestion in these areas, you are advised to use the following alternate routes:

ALTERNATE NORTH/SOUTH ROUTES:

- Michillinda Avenue

- Santa Anita Avenue

ALTERNATE EAST/WEST ROUTES:

- Foothill Boulevard

- Duarte Road

Santa Anita Race Track gates will open at 10:00 am and the first post is at noon. Racing fans can access Gate 8 off Baldwin Avenue, however, other gates may be less congested. Suggested routes for easier access may include;

From the west or northbound on Baldwin Avenue, use Huntington Drive to Gate 3 at Holly Avenue.

From the south, use Santa Anita Avenue to Campus Drive for Gate 3 access, or to Huntington Drive for access to Gates 5 and 6.

From the east, use Huntington Drive or Colorado Boulevard/Place to access Gates 5 and 6.

Police officers will be manning traffic signals and certain intersections throughout the day. Traffic will be heavy and you should expect delays. Allow extra time for your travel and please be patient.

Weekly Tip - Last Minute Shopping? Think About YOUR Personal Safety!

Our personal safety is something that we should always be considering, especially when out in public. The shopping season is in full swing and our shopping centers will be packed these last days before Christmas Here are some tips and thoughts on steps you can take to help maintain your personal safety:

•Awareness & Avoidance - Not enough can be said for being aware of your surroundings. It does not matter where you are, at home, out shopping, driving, at the park, DO NOT settle into a fog and become so involved in your task that you fail to look around. Scan the area before you head out. Look around and see what potential threats may be looming. Are there suspicious persons parked by your car? Is there a car approaching slowly from behind? If you see something that makes you suspicious or uncomfortable, walk away, return to the store, and report the activity and your observations to security or store staff.

•Be a Good Witness - If you see a crime or fall victim, be the best witness you can be. Without good suspect descriptions it is difficult for police to conduct follow-up, apprehend criminals, and hopefully, help prevent others from becoming future victims. Basic physical descriptions such as hair color and style, height, weight and build, clothing color and type, suspect vehicle description and license plate, direction of travel, are all things that a responding police officer will ask for. Try and make note of anything specific to the suspect such as tattoos, scars, piercings or perhaps damage in a particular location on a suspect vehicle.

•Consider the Stakes - If this is a property crime and you are in fear for your safety, give up the purse, the wallet, the car. Your personal well-being is much more valuable than your property. Property can be replaced, you can't. 

•Make a Scene! - Drawing attention to yourself, and more importantly, to the suspect, can not only deter the crime but also bring forward other witnesses and possibly help. Yell, scream, use a whistle, run away...

•Don't be a Target - Walk with a purpose and look about surveying your surroundings. Carry your keys and whistle in your hand, not buried in your purse. This allows you to immediately open your vehicle or set off your car alarm if needed. Keep your purse tucked under your shoulder, not dangling down or sitting unattended in a cart.

Query the topic of personal safety on-line. There are many quality sites that offer additional advice and products that can bolster your safety. Best overall advice...Awareness and Avoidance!

Weekly Activity Highlights for December 13 - 19, 2015

Weekly Activity Highlights for Dec 13-19, 2015

Annual Chief's Christmas Breakfast 2015

Chief Bob Guthrie carried out a long standing Arcadia Police Department tradition last Thursday, hosting the Chief's Annual Christmas Breakfast. The breakfast is a great event where current and former members of APD can gather to share memories and a meal prepared by the Chief and fellow police management staff. In addition to the APD family, all City employees and City staff are invited to attend, along with our elected officials.

We had a great turnout for the breakfast. A special thanks to Vons Corporation and Papa Cantella's for the generous donations of food for the event. Chief Guthrie is pictured above with Alan Todd, a Corporate Manager for Vons. Members of the APD Management Team are pictured below. See additional photos on the APD Facebook Page.

Motel Clerk Hurt and Robbed at Gunpoint Overnight

Incident:  Robbery  

Contact:  Watch Commander – (626) 574-5156

On Monday December 21, 2015, at about 1:57 A.M., Arcadia police officers were dispatched to the Santa Anita Inn at 130 West Huntington Drive. The night clerk reported that a suspect entered the lobby, forced him into a back room, and produced a handgun.  The suspect struck the victim in the head with the handgun, which caused some moderate lacerations. The suspect also attempted to restrain the victim, but he was not successful. The suspect then left the victim, and stole an undisclosed amount of money from the register on his way out of the lobby. It is not known how the suspect got away at this time. The victim was transported to an area hospital, by paramedics from the Arcadia Fire Department, for treatment of the lacerations on his head.

The suspect was described as being a male, Black, approximately 30-years-old, 5’10” tall, and he had a thin build. The suspect was wearing a dark-colored hat, or a dark hooded sweatshirt, and black pants.

This incident is being investigated by Arcadia Police Department Detectives. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151, case #15-6324. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By: Tom Cullen, Lieutenant

Records Section Hours for the Holidays

The Records Section of the Arcadia Police Department will be close at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th, and will be closed Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th.  The Records Section will reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 26th.

On New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31st, the Records Section will close at 6:00 p.m. and will reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January  1, 2016. 

The lobby will be accessible for emergency assistance.  Parking permits are not required through January 3, 2016.  All other parking violations will be enforced.

Please see the following post for daily operating hours in the Records Section: 

http://arcadiapolice.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-operating-hours-for-apd-records.html 

GPS Trackers Lead to Additional Arrests

Incident: Grand Theft Arrests

The Arcadia Police Department is committed to reducing property crimes this holiday season by taking a proactive approach to catch criminals as they commit crimes. The police department has procured a number of GPS tracking devices in an effort to apprehend thieves. Detectives have partnered with citizens and local businesses by placing bait packages equipped with tracking devices, which notify police personnel when packages have been stolen.

On December 20, 2015, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Arcadia Police responded to the south east portion of Arcadia regarding an alert of a stolen package from a residence containing property and a GPS tracking device. Officers tracked the package and located two suspects within a few blocks of where the package was stolen.

Suspect Steve Lopez, 25-years old of El Monte and Suspect Dandre Lageman 30-years old of El Monte were arrested for Penal Code 487(a) Felony Grand Theft. They are being held in custody at the Arcadia City Jail on $20,000 bail.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5151. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By: Colleen Flores, Lieutenant (15-6307)

Package Thieves Take the Bait - GPS Tracking Device Program

The holiday season is a time known for being with family and friends and for gift giving.  As the holidays draw nearer, the number of packages ordered, shipped and received increases dramatically.  Would-be thieves are aware of this, and often roam residential neighborhoods looking for easy targets of opportunity.  The Arcadia Police Department is committed to reducing property crimes this holiday season by taking a proactive approach to catch criminals as they commit crimes.

The police department has procured a number of GPS tracking devices in an effort to accomplish this goal.  Detectives are partnering with citizens and local businesses and placing bait packages equipped with tracking devices, which notify police personnel when packages have been stolen.  This technology allows officers to locate suspects with a high degree of accuracy, in order to stop criminals from continuing their crime spree.  Thus far, Arcadia Officers have arrested four (4) career criminals for thefts, by using this new technology.  In our most recent case, officers discovered a number of other packages that had been stolen from Arcadia residents, in addition to the bait package deployed by the police department.  This arrest ensured the items intended to be received by our residents were delivered in time for the holidays.  If you wish to partner with the police department to stop crime in your neighborhood this holiday season, and beyond, please contact Detective Sergeant Brett Bourgeous at (626) 574-5163. 

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By: Brett Bourgeous, Sergeant

Santa Arrives in Style - a Police Helicopter!

Santa arrived at Huntington Memorial Hospital via a Pasadena Police Department helicopter yesterday, delivering toys to children in the pediatric unit. This has been an annual tradition carried out by the PPD Air Support Unit for many years. PPD provides air support for the Arcadia Police Department through the Foothill Air Support Team (FAST). 

APD Detective Mike Hale is a Tactical Flight Officer with FAST and had the honor of playing Santa for the children this year. PPD Chief Phil Sanchez accompanied Santa and his Elves for the journey.

After the visit to HMH, Santa and his PPD Air Support elves made their way back to the PPD Heliport where they delivered toys to children from the Peace Over Violence Center in Pasadena. Santa again arrived in his shiny blue sleigh! Thanks to all the participating FAST agencies for collecting the toys for this great event!

IRS Scam Calls with a Recorded Twist

Although it is not tax season, we want to make you aware of yet another phishing scam, by phone, popping up again - the IRS Scam. A few years ago, a City employee 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.

Some recent reports are of automated/recorded calls telling folks the call is a final notice of a pending law suit by the IRS for taxes owed. The call instructs the victim to immediately call a specified number for further instructions. DO NOT return these calls!

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!

Weekly Tip - Preventing Holiday Crime - It's Not Child's Play

A serious topic, delivered with kid spirit! Thanks to our partners at Boca Raton Police Department in Florida for sharing!

Weekly Activity Highlights for December 6 - 12, 2015

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=4551

DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on December 18th in Arcadia

Contact:  Officer K. Lee / 626-574-5475

DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Planned

Arcadia, CA – The Arcadia Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on December 18, 2015 in the area of Baldwin Avenue and Harvard Drive between the hours of 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM.   

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes.  Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily.  When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes. 

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. 

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role.  They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen. 

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Arcadia Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

  

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!

Holiday Suspension of Overnight Parking Enforcement

Residents and visitors will not have to obtain temporary overnight parking permits for passenger vehicles parked on the City streets from December 13, 2015 through January 3, 2016. This permit suspension affords the community the opportunity to entertain guests and visitors without worrying about purchasing permits during the holidays. Overnight parking enforcement will resume on Sunday night, January 3, 2016.

This enforcement suspension pertains only to overnight parking restrictions for passenger vehicles between 2:30 am and 5:30 am. All other parking restrictions remain in effect and will be enforced, such as time zones, street sweeping, curb markings, etc.

The 2016 permits are available at the City Hall Cashier's Office and are being honored for the remainder of 2015, if properly displayed.

If you have any questions, please contact the APD Watch Commander at (626) 574-5156.

DUI Saturation Patrols Planned

Contact:  Sgt. Kollin Cieadlo – 626-574-5475

DUI Enforcement Operations Planned

Arcadia, CA - Officers from the Arcadia Police Department’s Traffic Bureau will be deploying to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign.  DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy on December 11, 2015 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years officers have investigated 119 DUI collisions which has resulted in 76 people being injured.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. 

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role.  They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen. 

The cost of a ride home is cheap, nothing compared to a $10,000 DUI conviction and the ‘inconvenience’ of not driving your own car home is nothing compared to the inconvenience of spending time behind bars.

Funding for this DUI operation is provided to the Arcadia Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

  

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!

Resident Injured During Overnight Hot Prowl Burglary

Incident:  PC 459-Burglary and PC 245-Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Date and Time of Occurrence:  December 10, 2015 at 1:09 AM

On December 10, 2015, at approximately 1:09 A.M. Arcadia Police Officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of South Tulip Lane regarding an assault with a deadly weapon that had just occurred.  Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects forced entry into the residence to commit a residential burglary.  A male resident was woken up by the suspects striking him in the head with an unknown object before fleeing the location.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The suspects were both described as males, wearing dark clothing and masks, armed with unknown type handguns.

The loss is undetermined at this time.

The case is currently under investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151.  You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Refer:  APD Case #15-6099

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By: Dan Crowther, Sergeant - Operations Division

Weekly Tip - Parking Lot Survival for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us - and with that brings large crowds and parking lots filled with anxious shoppers! Private property accidents contribute to a number of our calls for service during the holiday season and most of these incidents are avoidable. Here are some tips to help avoid collisions and other vehicle related incidents on private property:

•Slow down, don't be in a rush. The sales will still be going on when you get there.

•Obey shopping center or mall stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs. They are there for a reason...SAFETY!

•Drive only in marked isles. Avoid driving across the parking lot and watch out for those that are using parking stalls as a short cut.

•Park a little further away. It is probably quicker than driving up and down looking for that perfect spot.

•Look all around before backing out and back SLOWLY from your stall.

•Watch for pedestrians and watch out for yourself while walking in the parking lot.

•Avoid the urge to "beat" the other driver to that one last spot.

•Practice common sense and courtesy. Everyone can be on edge in a crowded parking lot. Give each other a break.

•Leave valuables at home or at least out of sight in your LOCKED vehicle.

•Park only in marked stalls. Fire lane, red zones, handicap stalls may all be enforced at most shopping centers.

•Always be aware of your surroundings. Park in well lighted areas. Alert store security or the police to suspicious persons or vehicles.

Weekly Activity Highlights for November 29 - December 5, 2015

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=4497

Gold Line Trains to Begin Full Operation Test Runs Mid-December - Look, Listen, and Live!

Trains will begin full schedule test runs along the Foothill Extension of the Metro Gold Line, on or about December 18, 2015. Trains and grade crossings will be active and functioning with only the absence of passengers.

Here are some safety tips from Metro: 

• Use designated crossing areas and wait for the walk/crossing signal.
• If the gates are down, do not attempt to go around them, it’s against the law and unsafe.
• If a train is coming, be sure to stay behind the yellow warning stripes.
• Always stop, look, and listen for trains before crossing the tracks, and be sure to look both ways.
• Never race a train to a crossing.
• Never climb railroad vehicles or walk on the tracks.
• Before starting across the tracks, be sure there’s room for your vehicle to get completely across.

Both Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies and Arcadia Police Officers will be actively enforcing traffic laws at all grade crossings and Gold Line Stations.

We have seen both pedestrian and vehicle vs. train collisions here in Los Angeles County and in the vast majority of collisions...the train wins! Saving a minute is not worth your life, or the life of someone else. Practice good safety and obey the laws pertaining to grade crossings. Look, Listen, and Live!