Fundraiser for Fallen Officer & Detective

Great opportunity to help raise funds for families of fallen Riverside Police Department Officer Michael Crain and Yucaipa Police Department Detective Jeremiah MacKay (SBSD) at any California Pizza Kitchen location, Monday-Thursday, February 25th-28th.  You can link to the APD Facebook page and print out the photo/flyer HERE.



Weekly Tip: Two-Way Left Turn Lanes

The two-way or center left turn lane is often misunderstood. California Vehicle Code defines the two-way left turn lane and allows entry into the lane for only two purposes; preparing for and making a left turn or entering traffic. Travel in this lane is restricted to 200 feet.

This IS NOT a passing lane. It is not uncommon to find drivers using the two-way left turn lane on El Monte Avenue for passing stopped traffic waiting in line at stop signs. This is a violation and will be cited. It is also illegal to use this style lane for passing slower traffic.

In order to make a lawful left turn, you must enter this middle lane and then complete the turn. Making a left or u-turn turn across the middle lane from through traffic would be considered an improper turning movement.

Crossing the middle lane and entering the through traffic is acceptable when entering the roadway from an intersecting driveway, alley or property. It would be allowable to enter the middle lane and wait for traffic to clear in order to safely enter the flow of through traffic as well. 

Officer & Civilian of the Year 2012

The Arcadia Police Department is proud to honor two of our own as Officer and Civilian of the Year for 2012. In December 2012, then Sergeant, Tom Cullen was named Officer of the Year for 2012. Tom was later promoted to Lieutenant in late January 2013, complimenting his Officer of the Year award. In late January 2013, Police Records Technician II Stella Weimer was named as the Civilian Employee of the Year for 2012.

Lieutenant Tom Cullen was hired as an Arcadia Police Officer in March 1998. Ten years later in 2008, Tom was promoted to Sergeant. Throughout his tenure, Tom has been involved with Field Training and our Special Weapons & Tactics Team. His most recent assignment was heading up the APD Personnel and Training Office where he did an exemplary job for the last three years. In addition to his service to the City of Arcadia, Tom proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990-1996, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Records Technician II, Stella Weimer, has been with the Arcadia Police Department since July 1985. Stella has performed various duties in our Records Section over the years and has been a dedicated employee for what is quickly approaching 30 years of service. Several nominations for Civilian of the Year were received for Tech Weimer and each one noted her dependability, her caring and positive attitude, and her outstanding character.

Congrats to both Tom and Stella!

Weekly Tip - No Broken Hearts for Valentine's Day

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!  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!  Remember Jan's Towing offers the Don't Drive Drunk Detour Program where they will give your car and you a lift home within their service area.  See their website for details or call (626)914-1841.

Happy Chinese New Year 2013

Weekly Activity Highlights for January 27 - February 2, 2013

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_1.27.13.pdf

Weekly Tip - Don't Tailgate

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 in 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.

Increasing following distance between vehicles increases 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.