Thursday, October 26, 2017

Arcadia Police Department Receives Grant For Special Traffic Enforcement and Crash Prevention

The Arcadia Police Department has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries.   The Arcadia Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

Captain Larry Goodman said, “The Arcadia Police Department benefits from this grant by enhancing the department’s current traffic philosophy that embraces educating our community regarding traffic safety and enforcing hazardous traffic violations that place the city’s residents and visitors at risk.  As with last year, the grant will provide advanced, specialized training for Arcadia Police Department personnel and will create even more opportunities for our officers to be visible throughout the community.   We have every reason to believe the combined efforts of the Office of Traffic Safety and the Arcadia Police Department will have an impact in reducing the number of people injured or killed in traffic collisions.”

After falling to a ten year low in 2010, the number of persons killed on roadways has climbed nearly 17 percent across the state, with 3,429 fatalities in 2015.  Particularly alarming is the rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities that now comprise nearly 25 percent of all traffic deaths, along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies and the emergence of drug-impaired driving. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as speeding and crashes at intersections.

“Unsafe behaviors account for 94 percent of traffic crashes,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.  “This grant emphasizes the two most effective ways to change behaviors – education and enforcement.  The Arcadia Police Department, with assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will use these tools to help keep Arcadia streets safe.”

Activities that the grant will fund include:
·         - Educational presentations
·         - DUI checkpoints
·         - DUI saturation patrols
·         - Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement
·         - Distracted driving enforcement
·         - Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
·         - Speed, red light, and stop sign enforcement


Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Weekly Activity Highlights for October 15 - 21, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=14729

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Weekly Tip - Halloween Time Traffic Safety



Next Tuesday, Halloween night, and this weekend will bring plenty of gatherings and activity to our neighborhoods. As you drive or make your way around town, 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!

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Pink Patch Project to Benefit City of Hope


The Arcadia Police Department is now part of the Pink Patch Project, joining numerous other agencies in this great public awareness campaign. The Pink Patch Project brings attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease. It is a collaborative effort between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association and public safety agencies throughout the country and beyond. Originating in Southern California, it is quickly becoming an international initiative.

Sales of the APD Pink Patch will benefit the City of Hope in Duarte. Our patches are available for sale at the front counter of APD, $10.00 each. You can also obtain a patch by mailing your payment, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Arcadia Police Officers' Association, PO Box 661044, Arcadia CA 91066. Please make checks payable to APOA. For additional information, please contact either Sgt. Brian Ortiz or Sgt. Stan Flores at 626.574.5150.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Red Ribbon Week 2017


Red Ribbon Week runs October 23rd-31st, 2017. 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.

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.


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Weekly Tip - Drop! Cover! Hold On!

Are you prepared for the next big earthquake?  Tomorrow, Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 10:19 am, millions of people will join in the annual Great California ShakeOut, bringing awareness to a very real threat to California.  Preparedness and knowledge are the keys to surviving during and after a significant earthquake.

Remember, if an earthquake strikes us today - Drop!  Cover!  And, Hold On!

•DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),

•Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and

•HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

Follow #LAQuake on Twitter for earthquakes occurring in the greater LA area. As focus shifts to a local area or quake name, more specific hashtags may become relevant.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Weekly Tip - Stay Informed About Police Activity in Your Neighborhood!


Our Officers are often asked, "Why were there police cars on my street yesterday?" Did you know you can take a proactive approach to crime prevention by becoming aware of crime trends and police activity in your neighborhood? The Arcadia Police Department provides the community with daily updates detailing crimes occurring within our jurisdiction through the service CrimeMapping.com. You can access the CrimeMapping.com website at any time, or you can subscribe to daily email alerts, delivering a synopsis of activity directly to your email in-box. Community members are the first step in crime prevention and this type of information will give you the advantage in knowing what to watch for. Sign-up for daily updates HERE.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Weekly Tip - Own a Safe? Bolt It Down!

Safes of all sizes have become readily available for use at home. Whether you are looking to safeguard valuables, weapons, or paperwork, there are many factors to consider when choosing the type of safe your will purchase. Take the time to research this information before you shop!

Once you have the safe, you need to properly secure it in your home. Most safes are designed to be bolted down to floors, heavy duty shelves, or some stationary object like a wall stud. It is important to secure the safe in order to discourage removal from the location. Just like your home, you want to harden the target and make it as difficult to open or remove as possible. Unfortunately, our officers have taken burglary reports where home safes have simply been lifted up, easily removed, and then taken from the location by the thieves.

An online search will reveal many companies offering constructive suggestions and instruction on how to secure a safe within your home or business. Tips on selecting a location can also be found. Bottom line...if you invest in a safe, take the steps necessary to properly secure it in your home!