Halloween Traffic Safety

This weekend and Halloween night will bring plenty of Halloween gatherings.  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 this weekend!

And always - Don't Drink & Drive!

Roving DUI Patrols for Halloween Weekend

The Arcadia Police Department will join officers throughout Southern California this weekend by fielding additional officers targeting drunk drivers.  Our Traffic Officers are part of the California AVOID program and APD will be conducting roving DUI patrol on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from about 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Party goers will be out this weekend to celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday.  The Arcadia Police Department asks all to party responsibly and reminds you - Don't Drink & Drive!

Remember, everyone is different and any amount of alcohol consumption can impact your ability to safety operate a vehicle.  Designate a sober driver for your evening, plan ahead for a ride home, or take advantage of programs like "Don't Drive Drunk Detour Program" from Jan's Towing.  Jan's Towing will take you and your vehicle home if you have had too much to drink - for free within their local service area.  Call Jan's for details at (626) 914-1841.

To report a drunk driver, call 9-1-1.

Weekly Activity Highlights for October 16 - 22, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_10-16.pdf

Weekly Tip - Halloween Safety

The safety of our children is on our minds each and every day. The celebrations and traditions that go along with Halloween add to the importance of monitoring our children's activity and giving them the guidance to help keep them safe. Here are a couple of websites that offer good tips on Halloween safety:

• CDC (Department of Health & Human Services)

• Halloween-Safety.com

There are also options to traditional "trick or treating" that allow your children to celebrate in a controlled and safe environment. The Arcadia Public Library is offering a trick or treat in the library for Arcadia residents, TODAY, Wednesday, October 26th at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Call the library for information and registration at (626) 821-5567. The City will be hosting their annual Halloween event at the Community Center on Halloween, Monday, October 31st from 4:30-6:30 pm.  The Community Center event is open to the public.

Three Arrested for Residential Burglary After Pursuit

Incident:                                            Residential Burglary and Vehicle Pursuit

Date and Time of Release:                October 25, 2011 at 5:00PM

On Tuesday October 25, 2011 at approximately 11:30AM, the Arcadia Police Department received a call of an in-progress residential burglary in the 00 block of E Forest Avenue.  A neighbor reported seeing three unknown suspects enter a neighbor’s home, steal electronics, including a flat panel television, and leave in an awaiting vehicle.  Arcadia Police Officers spotted the suspects in their vehicle and attempted to pull them over.

The suspects failed to yield and led police on a high-speed chase eastbound on the 210 freeway, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph.  The suspects exited the freeway at Citrus Avenue in the City of Azusa, lost control and crashed their vehicle into shrubbery on the off-ramp.  One suspect was apprehended immediately and two additional suspects were captured after a short foot pursuit.  No injuries were sustained by officers or suspects. 

Arrested were:

1. Dominic Bertirotti, male Hispanic, 23 yrs old from Monrovia, $50k bail
2. Salim Alayache, male Middle-Eastern, 23 yrs from Pasadena, $50k bail
3. Salvador Esparza Jr., male Hispanic, 18 yrs from Azusa, $75k bail

The suspects are held at the Arcadia Police Department jail charged with residential burglary and felony evading of a police officer.

For any questions or concerns, contact the Arcadia Police Department at

(626)574-5150.

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

By:      Lieutenant Paul Foley

Refer Case # 11-5196

Red Ribbon Week 2011

Red Ribbon Week runs October 22nd-30th, 2011. 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. The Red Ribbon Coalition website gives a well written summary of the history of Red Ribbon Week and offers an excellent tribute to slain DEA Agent "Kiki" Enrique 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.

Peace Officer Memorial Dedicated at APD

Retired Captain Randy Kirby and the Arcadia Police Officers' Association presented the Arcadia Police Department with a Peace Officer Memorial plaque at a dedication ceremony held today.  The plaque hangs in the entryway of the police station and is dedicated to those law enforcement officials who have died in the line of duty serving the City of Arcadia and our community.

Albert E. Matthies is the only Arcadia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty.  Officer Matthies was gunned down in 1927 near the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Northview Avenue.  Officer Matthies was recently honored with a ceremony and honor guard on the anniversary of his death.  His name has been placed below the memorial plaque.

About 9 years before the murder of Officer Matthies, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy, assigned to the Sierra Madre area, was gunned down at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue.  Deputy George Van Vliet was killed on November 18, 1918, by a "Bonnie and Clyde" type duo who had previously murdered two lawmen in Colorado.  Deputy Van Vliet was assisting the Pinkerton Agency and the Postal Authority in attempting to capture the duo at a gas station and market in Arcadia when the gun fight took place.  The suspects were killed by the deputies, but Deputy Van Vliet also died in the gun battle.  His name joins that of Officer Matthies on our memorial.

For additional photos, please visit the Arcadia Police Department Facebook photo album page.