Weekly Activity Highlights for September 17 - 23, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=11603

Weekly Tip - Stay Safe When Buying or Selling Using Mobile Apps and the Internet

Buying and selling items on the Internet has become popular and easy to do with the abundance of mobile apps available today. APD recently designated an Internet Exchange "MeetUp" spot in our station parking lot. The lot has video surveillance and is adjacent to the police station in the south west corner of the parking lot. Our staff does not specifically monitor the camera feed, but like all our feeds, it is view-able live and is recorded. Officers will not mediate or participate in exchanges, but will respond if needed for criminal or suspicious activity.

Here are some tips for conducting a safe Internet exchange:

• Arrange for the exchange during daylight hours.
• Always meet in a visible, public area, preferably with recorded surveillance.
• Avoid transactions at your home and NEVER allow strangers into your home.
• Know the value of items being bought or sold. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• Bring a friend along.
• Tell someone else where you will be and how long you are expected to be there.
• If the person is not will to meet at the police station, the transaction probably was not meant to be!

Weekly Activity Highlights for September 10 - 16, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=11550

Weekly Tip - It's Child Passenger Safety Week. Get a Seat Check-Up!

The week of September 17-23, 2017, is National Child Passenger Safety Week. 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 SaferCar.gov website for safety tips and links to find a seat check station. Locally, the California Highway Patrol, Baldwin Park Station, and the Glendora Police Department, both offer child seat inspections, by appointment.

Additional resources, restraint laws, and information can be found through SafetyBeltSafe USA / CarSeat.org.

DUI Roving Patrols - September 15, 2017

Contact: Sgt. K. Cieadlo / 626-574-5475

DUI Enforcement Operations Planned this Weekend

Officers from the Arcadia Police Department will be deploying this weekend to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign.  DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy on Friday, September 15th between the hours of 6:00 PM and 2:00 AM in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

High Visibility Enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes.  Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.  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. 

In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes.  The Arcadia Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”  If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI.  Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

Studies of California drivers have shown 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. 

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone.  The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more.  The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

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

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’. 

Welcoming our Newest Officer - K9 Officer Kota

Arcadia PD is proud to welcome K9 Officer Kota to the force. Kota graduated from Gold Coast K9 Academy along with his handler, Officer Travis Sargent. Kota is a 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd and was selected from eastern Europe by Gold Coast K9. He is a confident K9 with strong drive and hunt, and a balanced temperament. Kota is trained as a dual purpose K9 in both Patrol duties and Explosives Detection. 

Thank you to the Arcadia Police Foundation who made possible the funding for purchase and training of Kota. The Foundation also funded K9 Officer Zoli who came on board in 2016.

Weekly Activity Highlights for September 3 - 9, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=11514

Weekly Tip - STOP for School Bus Red Lights!

School buses are equipped with flashing red lights that are activated by the driver when loading or unloading pupils. California law requires that drivers approaching from either side of the bus must stop and remain stopped while the red lights and stop arms are activated. The only exceptions to the law come into play when the bus is stopped on a roadway with multiple lanes and a divided highway or a raised center divider. If you are approaching from the opposite direction and on the opposite side of the road from the bus on a divided highway, you may proceed. This section, CVC 22454, also applies to private roads. (Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Sheriff)

This law was created for the safety of our students. It is imperative that drivers yield and stop for buses with red lights on. School bus drivers are required to assist pupils when crossing in front of the bus and may appear at any time. Be aware of pedestrians and watch out for darting kids!

Never Forget!

Arrest / Crime Trends - Wanted for Residential Burglary

We have posted about the ongoing fight to curb residential burglary in the area. One trend is the "knock knock" burglary where suspects look to find a home where the resident is away by knocking at the front door. When no one answers, the suspect most often makes their way to a secluded portion of the home and makes entry. In some cases, residents will have video evidence and pictures of the suspects. Video cameras and doorbell cameras are great tools as a deterrent in helping to prevent crime and as an investigative tool in many instances. If you have cameras, make sure to take advantage of immediate notifications to your cell phone if the equipment has this feature.

On September 1st, a "knock knock" burglary was committed in the 100 block of West Camino Real Avenue, Arcadia. The female suspect knocked at the front door and ultimately forced entry to the residence by breaking a rear window. The suspect ransacked the master bedroom and left the location in a silver 4-door vehicle.

Please take a look at the pictures below and if you have information on this suspect or the crime, you are asked to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5156. Or, if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. APD file #17-4493.

Weekly Activity Highlights for August 27 - September 2, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=11478

Weekly Tip - See Something, Say Something for Even the Small Things

From time to time, you may notice someone in your neighborhood who seems out of place or who is doing something out of the ordinary. We have fielded calls of persons photographing houses, picking fruit from a tree, walking across a lawn, or simply parked in front of a home for no apparent reason. The majority of the time, the activity of the individual is legitimate or innocent, however, please do call us when you are suspicious or concerned about someone's activity. We will come out and look into the matter. Quality of life and maintaining our community is important. Please call us when you need us! Our non-emergency number to Dispatch is 626.574.5123. So, for even the small things, if you See Something, Say Something! 

September is California Pedestrian Safety Month

Remember! Pedestrians Don’t Have Armor

The California Office of Traffic Safety is again announcing that September is “California Pedestrian Safety Month” which began last year in response to the rising number of pedestrians being killed and injured on California roadways.

The Arcadia Police Department will be joining with other law enforcement agencies, city and state transportation agencies, pedestrian advocates and walking clubs to promote public awareness aimed at both drivers and pedestrians alike to always be aware of each other and share the road responsibly.

This month draws attention to the 892 pedestrians who were killed on California roadways in 2016 alone, accounting for over 24 percent of all roadways deaths in the state, up from 17 percent just a decade ago.

Both drivers and walkers are cautioned to put down the cell phones, since electronic distractions are seen in increasing numbers of pedestrian crashes.  Other factors for drivers include unsafe speed and failure to see and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections.  For pedestrians, the major dangers are jaywalking and thinking that they can be seen at night, especially while wearing dark clothing. To learn about the dangers of being a pedestrian, who is at risk and safety tips visit Pedestrian Safety.

  

The California Office of Traffic Safety continues to remind motorist that “Pedestrians Don’t Have Armor.”  This public service announcement highlights the importance of pedestrian safety awareness, regardless of whether one is on foot or behind the wheel.

Happy Labor Day 2017

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Labor Day! Our folks are here for you, 24/7/365.