Wishing Everyone a Happy Independence Day

The Arcadia Police Department would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy 4th of July!  Please celebrate responsibly and remember - ALL FIREWORKS are PROHIBITED in the City of Arcadia.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation Week

The week of April 12-18, 2020 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation week, also known as Dispatcher Appreciation Week.  Our dispatchers are the ones who answer most of the incoming calls to the department, answer all the 911 calls, and relay important information to our officers in the field. 

Dispatchers are the ones behind the scene, who are often not recognized for their work.  They are the ones who answer when you dial 911 when you need help. They are a calm voice in that moment of need, and the ones who get the information to tell first responders where they are needed. 

Telecommunicators Week began in California in 1981 and quickly grew to national recognition. Just ten years later, Congress designated the second full week of each April as a time to remember the critical role that dispatchers play in keeping us all safe.

On behalf of the Arcadia Police Department, we say “thank you.”  Thank you to all the public safety telecommunicators and dispatchers out there.  And of course, we say a special “thank you” to our very own Arcadia Police Dispatchers. 

2019 Police Officer and Civilian of the Year Awards

It gives us great pleasure to share with you that our 2019 Officer of the Year is K-9 Officer Travis Sargent and our 2019 Civilian Employee of the Year is Records Technician II Caroline Ngai!

During this time of social distancing, we regret that we were not able to do a formal, group announcement (as we would normally do) for each of these fantastic people. However, Chief Guthrie personally spoke with both Travis and Caroline to congratulate them on being nominated and then selected as our 2019 recipients!

Our awards committee selected K9 Officer Travis Sargent as our 2019 Officer of the Year as a result of Travis’ very dedicated work ethic this past year with his partner, Kota. Travis Sargent displayed a constant Never say “NO” attitude in 2019, and attended countless public outreach events with Kota, during all days of the week, at all hours of the day. Additionally, and more importantly, Travis (and Kota) assisted officers in our Patrol and Administration Divisions on many criminal investigations, warrant services, and the like. It was a significantly busy and non-stop year for our K-9 Unit, and Travis and Kota delivered! Keep up the great work, Travis, and congratulations on being selected as our 2019 Police Officer of the Year!

Our awards committee also selected Records Technician II Caroline Ngai as our 2019 Civilian Employee of the Year as a result of Caroline’s very dedicated work ethic as well. Caroline is reliable, highly professional, and nearly flawless in her work product every single day that she works. She keeps a pace and tempo in work performance that is truly second to none in her field. Our committee also cited Caroline’s “very positive” attitude and noted that she is a great person to work with who is always helpful to others. Simply stated, Caroline “makes a difference” in our organization every day! Congratulations Caroline for being selected as our 2019 Civilian Employee of the Year!

Weekly Tip - Avoiding Fraud and Scams Associated with the 2020 Census

The 2020 Census is here. Many of you may have already completed the Census online or you may have received your invitation in the mail. The Census can be completed online, by phone, or by mail. 

Unfortunately, now that the Census is out, the fraudsters follow. Don't fall for phony emails or phishing scams by clicking on bogus links in emails or other platforms. Look for a legitimate email that ends in ".gov" such as "http://my2020census.gov/" from the Census. The Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. You won't receive Census Bureau emails unless you have signed up to receive them. 

Remember, the Census Bureau will never ask for your information via email. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:

- Your Social Security number.
- Your bank account or credit card numbers.
- Anything on behalf of a political party.
- Money or donations.

If a Census Bureau member visits you at home, make sure to verify their identity through their ID badge with their photograph, a US Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date. If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 844-330-2020 to speak with a Census Bureau representative.

Weekly Tip - FBI Sees Rise in Fraud Schemes Related to COVID-19 Coronavirus

The Internet is used by criminals for all sorts of scams and crimes to try and separate you from your money.  The FBI is even warning of an increase in fraud scams related to COVID-19 phishing email and bogus websites.

One way to be victimized is by replying to a “pop up” advertisement or an email.  If you receive a “pop up” ad or an email and you are not sure if it is legitimate, do not reply or open.  Do some research and confirm it is a legitimate service/company first.  You should never share personal or financial information online unless you are confident that the information is going to the proper company, organization or financial institution.   

Private sites, such as Consumer Fraud Reporting.Org have resources and information on web-based crime as well as other traditional fraud crimes. The FBI participates in a website dedicated to collecting Internet crime info called the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Take a look at these sites and search for information on topics that include tips to avoid becoming a victim of Internet-based scams or crime.

Weekly Tip - Be Safe While Out Walking

Daylight saving time, Springtime, now being stuck at home, are all reasons more pedestrians are hitting the road in the early mornings and evenings.  It is important to practice good walking and running safety as a pedestrian.  Many factors impact whether or not drivers will see pedestrians. Some vision obscurements and lighting conditions are not controlled by the pedestrian, but we can greatly enhance our safety and visibility with some proactive steps:

• Wear light/bright-colored clothing, preferably clothing with reflective strips or perhaps a safety vest.
• Carry a lighted flashlight when walking at night.
• Use sidewalks when available.
• Walk facing traffic so you can see cars approaching.
• If walking or running in the roadway, stay out of traffic lanes - it is unsafe and possibly unlawful.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets, additional lanes, or driveways.
• Never assume drivers will stop or yield - walk defensively.
• If you must have music or talk on your phone, use only one earpiece and keep the volume down. Listen for traffic!
• Be aware of your surroundings and practice personal safety!
• Vary your routes so you are not predictable.
• Avoid dimly lit roads, alleys, and areas.
• Carry identification and a cell phone.
• Walk with a partner or family member.
• Don't approach vehicles stopping near you or in your path.
• Consider personal safety items such as pepper spray.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy St. Patrick's Day. Please Don't Drink and Drive!

Arcadia Police Department Adapts to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

March 15, 2020 – In response to additional guidance received by federal, state, and local public health officials, the Arcadia Police Department is adapting to challenges caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus. Please know we have not changed or reduced our deployment strategies at this time and will continue to respond to all law enforcement related activities in our City. Our situation is both fluid and evolving, and the Arcadia Police Department is working to maintain field staffing levels that ensure high-quality response times to emergency calls for service within our City.

That shared, we have implemented processes that have equipped department personnel with the necessary training and resources needed to establish good community-based behaviors and practices that should help reduce the likelihood of introduction or spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus within our department and throughout our ranks.  Our staff has been briefed on COVID-19 issues and will take all due precautions necessary when dealing with the public to keep everyone involved as safe as possible.

It is our goal to continue to provide the highest level of safety and service while preserving the health of both our personnel and our community. Based on logical precautions, we have modified some procedures to limit exposure of the public and our employees.  For example, we may accept and document certain non-emergency crime reports over the telephone rather than in person.  Additionally, while our police department lobby will remain open for limited purposes, we encourage residents to call ahead at 626-574-5150 to determine if we can serve your needs without requiring a visit.

To protect the health of the public and our personnel, and potentially slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, we are also limiting access to the Arcadia Police Department lobby except in essential or emergent situations.  This practice will stay in effect through March 31st, at which time we will reassess circumstances to determine whether or not a change in protocol is warranted.

Lobby restrictions do not apply to the following:

• Regularly scheduled child-custody exchanges
• Individuals who are required by law to check in with law enforcement for compliance to terms of release.
• Situations in which a law enforcement presence is needed to immediately protect life, safety or property.
• Mandatory visits for payment of fees or collection of property.

If you request a call for service to report criminal activity or to file a report, please call our Police Dispatch Center at 626-574-5123.  If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, or a respiratory illness, please notify us when you make the call.  This will allow our first responders to take any needed safety precautions prior to their arrival.

Some police reports can also be made online at    https://report.citizenserviceportal.com/home/Agency?AgencyCode=APD
and we encourage our residents to take advantage of this service whenever possible.

Here are some of the criteria for filing a police report online:

• The incident is not an Emergency.
• The incident occurred within the City of Arcadia.
• You do not know the name or identity of the suspect involved or have physical evidence associated with the incident.

Cases involving theft of identity, theft or unauthorized use of credit/debit cards, checks, or other financial crimes, may not be reported on-line. These crimes must be reported in person. It is essential for officers to verify the victim’s true identity at the time the report is made.

Additionally, victims should provide officers with as much information regarding their case as possible, to include copies of financial documents, bank statements, credit card account information, fraud affidavits, or any other information relevant to the crime. If your situation does meet the above requirements, you may file your report online for the following types of incidents:

• Auto Burglary
• General Thefts valued at $950 or less
• Theft of Items from an unlocked vehicle valued at $950 or less
• Theft of items from an open or unsecured area valued at $950 or less
• Lost or Stolen Cell Phones or Other Property
• Annoying or Harassing Phone Calls
• Mail Theft
• Vandalism
• Vehicle Tampering

We apologize for any inconvenience these adjustments may cause you under the circumstances.  Please know that the men and women of the Arcadia Police Department are committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens, and dedicated to maintaining the superior service everyone has come to expect from our personnel. In closing, we ask that you help us protect our police officers and support personnel, so they, in turn, can continue to work hard to protect you!


Robert T. Guthrie
Chief of Police

Weekly Tip - STOP at Blacked-Out Signals

What will you do when you come upon a blacked-out or inoperative traffic signal?  California law is pretty straightforward for drivers coming upon inoperative signals at an intersection. STOP! If the signals are blacked out and not working, drivers must treat the intersection as a stop sign. CVC 21800(d)(1) is the section that governs inoperative signals. If there is a Police Officer directing traffic, you must proceed as directed. Otherwise, stop and proceed when safe to do so. Power outages, collision damage, storm-related problems, equipment failure, all can contribute to a blacked-out signal. Always be alert, watch ahead, and drive smartly.

Remember to Spring Forward Saturday Night

Don't forget, Saturday night we "Spring Forward."  Officially on Sunday morning at 2:00 am time changes to Daylight Saving Time and it becomes 3:00 am.  Set your clocks before you go to bed so you aren't late to any important appointments or plans.

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.

Weekly Tip - Back to Basics with Burglary Prevention

Residential burglary prevention continues to be a focus of the Arcadia Police Department. Increased patrol presence, Investigators working surveillance, follow-up on leads/tips, and recovered stolen property, are all pieces to a much larger puzzle when it comes to preventing residential burglaries and property crime. One of the most important pieces of this puzzle is the resident. It is very important to discourage the would-be thief and make their job as difficult, time-consuming, and as noisy as possible.

Get back to basics...lock your doors, close your windows and secure them, set your alarm!

For additional tips visit our previous prevention post HERE.

Weekly Tip - Don't Fall for a Scam this Tax Season!

Tax season is here! While many folks will have legitimate contact with their tax accountants and the IRS, we would like to remind you of recurring fraud schemes where scammers reach out to you. One of the most widespread attempts to come between you and your money is by use of phone calls to you where scammers claim to be representing the IRS. Many times, they will threaten you with a lawsuit or pending criminal action if you don't send payment immediately. These calls can be automated and recorded, directing you to call. Don't fall for these scams!

The IRS will not:

• Call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.

• Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.

• Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.

• Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.

Visit the IRS website for additional information on scams.

Weekly Tip - Don't Break Any Hearts on Valentine's Day

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Valentine's Day this Friday!  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, should you be arrested for DUI.

Don't Drink and Drive!

Arcadia Police Announce Name for New K9

The votes are in and the name has been selected......We are excited to introduce K-9 Kaiser!  The Arcadia Police Department would like to thank the students and staff of the Arcadia Unified School District for their participation. 

Officer Cvetkovich and Kaiser are currently in K-9 school and will be ready for patrol in early May.  We look forward to sharing their progress through their training and once they hit the streets. Please follow our K-9 program on their Instagram Page at @arcadiapolicek9. 

Weekly Tip - Involved in a Collision?

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 checklist 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 of all drivers and passengers

•Drivers license numbers for involved drivers

•Insurance company name, policy number, and policyholder for all drivers or vehicles

•Complete vehicle information of involved vehicles to include the license number, make, model, color, a description such as a pick-up, four-door, etc and the name of registered owner if different

•Description of any damage

•Photographs of damage, or lack thereof, 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 the collision

•Note any unusual conditions such as inoperative lights, vision obstruction

•Note/photograph any physical evidence like skids or debris resulting from the 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!!

Weekly Tip - No Tailgating!

Following Too Closely is the technical term for Tailgating. Unfortunately, this is a term that is all too often used in collision reports as the “Primary Collision Factor”. Maintaining distance between vehicles while driving is one main key to preventing collisions. Even the best driver, with great reaction time, still takes a moment to perceive the need to slow or stop, and then apply the vehicle brakes. With all the rain we have had recently, this is an important topic to think about.

Increasing following distance between vehicles can improve our ability to perceive a problem, apply brakes if needed or take some other evasive action. Time and distance is your friend when it comes to speed. As a young driver, you are taught about the Three Second Rule. Sometimes we forget this one important piece of advice. But maintaining a following distance of three seconds between vehicles will definitely increase your ability to avoid a rear-end collision. An alternate recommendation is to maintain a following distance of one car length per 10 mph while driving. So, if you are driving 65 mph on the freeway, you should be about 6-7 car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you.

Don’t be overconfident, either in your ability as a driver or in your vehicle. Remember these basic rules and greatly increase your chance to avoid a collision. Think about this; tailgating the car in front of you is not going to "push" them out of the way or down the road. Your disregard for safe following distance will only increase your chances of causing a collision. Take a breath, take your time and we'll all get there in one piece.

Weekly Tip - What is Suspicious Activity?

It is not uncommon for us to be asked what type of activity makes something suspicious. Or perhaps a caller is hesitant to call us for fear of knowing whether or not to report something. There is no absolute answer, but we would like to offer you some tips for provoking thought about what type of activity may be considered suspicious.

Click on the photo above and print out our handy cheat sheet for Suspicious Activity.

Remember, when in doubt, call us! If you See Something, Say Something!

We are excited to introduce the newest member of the Arcadia Police Department- K-9 Program

We are excited to introduce the newest member of the Arcadia Police Department!  This newest member is an almost three year old, pure bred, German Shepherd who arrived from Germany a few days ago.  He will be joining our K-9 program along with his new partner Officer Nick Cvetkovich.  Nick and his K-9 partner will spend the next 13 weeks in a training academy learning both patrol and narcotics detection skills.  

So the big question is.....What is Officer Cvetkovic's partners name? As you are aware, our Police K-9 Program already has another dog named "Kota." Kota has become quite popular with our community in recent months, and we believe our newest K-9 will soon follow that same path.  And what better way to introduce him to our community than to let our Arcadia students name him for us! Since we'd like both of our K-9s to have names that begin with the letter "K", we've narrowed down the choices for our newest K-9 to three names.  

They are:  Kasch (pronounced "Cash"), Kaiser, and Khan.  

We will be providing pictures of our newest K-9 and the three names to the Arcadia Unified School District.  Students from each elementary class and middle-school home room will vote on the names and provide the results to the school district.  Once the votes are counted, the result will be provided to the police department.  The formal announcement will be made on February 4th at the City Council meeting.  

Please join us in welcoming the new additions to our K-9 Unit!  

Weekly Tip - Join Us on Nextdoor in 2020

Interested in connecting with your neighbors, exchanging ideas and sharing information? We have a great way for you to do just that!

The City of Arcadia has a long history of encouraging neighborhood interaction and communication. We believe that knowing the people who live near us makes for stronger neighborhoods, and oftentimes results in cherished friendships. The way we communicate with our family, friends, and neighbors has changed significantly in recent years with the increasing popularity of social media. One social network you may want to take a look at is Nextdoor.com. Nextdoor.com is a private network that fosters communication between neighbors. Participation is free. Discussion topics can range from information sharing to notices about local events and school activities, contractor recommendations, disaster preparedness, crime prevention, lost pets and…what would you like to talk about? Neighborhoods establish and manage their own Nextdoor website. The information shared on each Nextdoor site is visible only to the members who live in the neighborhood and have verified their address.

How does Nextdoor work?

Nextdoor allows neighbors to create a private website for their neighborhood. On Nextdoor, members can find neighbors in the directory, view a neighborhood map, ask for advice, exchange local recommendations, and share neighborhood information with each other. Residents can choose to see and respond to updates via e-mail, or only on the website.

How much does Nextdoor cost?

There is no charge for an Arcadia resident to participate in their neighborhood site.

How is Nextdoor different from a neighborhood mailing list?

Nextdoor is designed for the specific communication needs of a neighborhood. For example, Nextdoor websites include a neighborhood map and directory, and a cataloged list of recommendations for local services. Members can choose to receive e-mails about each new post, see everything in a daily digest, or turn off e-mails and check the website for new posts from neighbors.

What is the City’s involvement in Nextdoor?

The City has the ability to post information on an Arcadia neighborhood site; however; the City cannot view discussions that take place outside of those related to the City post. Information the City will share with neighborhoods – individually or collectively – might include that relate area street projects, event announcements, crime prevention and safety tips, and emergency bulletins.

How do I get started?

Go to Nextdoor.com and enter your address to find your neighborhood. The website includes step-by-step instructions for getting started – it’s easy!  https://nextdoor.com/

Weekly Tip - Annual Overnight Parking Permits

A reminder that permits are required for all overnight parking on City streets, 2:30 - 5:30 a.m., in the City of Arcadia. Overnight enforcement was suspended for several weeks surrounding the holidays, however, enforcement began again the morning of January 6, 2020.

Temporary permits can be purchased online or at the kiosk to the front of the station. Annual permits are available for purchase at the Cashier's Office, Arcadia City Hall. For additional information or to download an Annual Permit Application, please visit our website. Please remember to bring information for ALL vehicles in your household. The application requires year, make, model, and license or VIN for each of them.