Weekly Tip - Parking Lot Survival for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us - and with that brings large crowds and parking lots filled with anxious shoppers! Private property accidents contribute to a number of our calls for service during the holiday season and most of these incidents are avoidable. Here are some tips to help avoid collisions and other vehicle related incidents on private property:

•Slow down, don't be in a rush. The sales will still be going on when you get there.

•Obey shopping center or mall stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs. They are there for a reason...SAFETY!

•Drive only in marked isles. Avoid driving across the parking lot and watch out for those that are using parking stalls as a short cut.

•Park a little further away. It is probably quicker than driving up and down looking for that perfect spot.

•Look all around before backing out and back SLOWLY from your stall.

•Watch for pedestrians and watch out for yourself while walking in the parking lot.

•Avoid the urge to "beat" the other driver to that one last spot.

•Practice common sense and courtesy. Everyone can be on edge in a crowded parking lot. Give each other a break.

•Leave valuables at home or at least out of sight in your LOCKED vehicle.

•Park only in marked stalls. Fire lane, red zones, handicap stalls may all be enforced at most shopping centers.

•Always be aware of your surroundings. Park in well lighted areas. Alert store security or the police to suspicious persons or vehicles.

Weekly Activity Highlights for November 30 - December 6, 2014

www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_11.30.14.pdf

Residential Burglary is a Holiday Favorite Crime - Please Be Vigilant

Looking at the crime map above you would not know it, but since Thanksgiving, residential burglary has actually decreased slightly in Arcadia. But, as you can see, from East Pasadena through Arcadia, there are still a number of "Res Burgs" being reported, particularly north of the freeway.

The majority of Arcadia burglaries have been committed during daytime hours. Several of the homes burglarized were targeted while the residents were gone for a few days at a time. While the Department places additional officers, both in plain cars and marked units in problem areas, we are not always in the right place at the right time. Please remember to be vigilant in both your observation of your neighborhood and with your own home safety and security.

HERE are tips for preventing home burglary. Remember, if you See Something, Say Something!

Stay informed on criminal activity in your area through CrimeMapping.com.

Holiday Suspension of Overnight Parking Enforcement

Residents and visitors will not have to obtain temporary overnight parking permits for passenger vehicles parked on the City streets from December 15, 2014 through January 5, 2015. This permit suspension affords the community the opportunity to entertain guests and visitors without worrying about purchasing permits during the holidays.

This enforcement suspension pertains only to overnight parking restrictions for passenger vehicles between 2:30 am and 5:30 am. All other parking restrictions remain in effect and will be enforced, such as time zones, street sweeping, curb markings, etc.

The 2015 permits are available at the City Hall Cashier's Office and are being honored for the remainder of 2014, if properly displayed.

If you have any questions, please contact the APD Watch Commander at (626) 574-5156.

Arcadia DUI Patrols December 12th and 13th

ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

News Release: Upcoming DUI Patrols

Contact: Sergeant Kollin Cieadlo 626.574.5475

The Arcadia Police Department will be out in force looking for impaired drivers. Members of the department will conduct DUI Saturation Patrols in the City of Arcadia during the evening hours of Friday, December 12^th and Saturday, December 13th. 

    

One of the goals of our enforcement activity is to promote public safety and increase awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving.  This will be accomplished by providing a highly visible enforcement and publicity campaign, in order to deter intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and driving.  Through these efforts, we also seek to reduce the number of injuries and deaths associated with collisions involving intoxicated drivers.

We would like to remind the public of the dangers associated with drinking and driving.  Celebrate during the holidays responsibly and do not drink and drive!  Help save a life; call 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers.

Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent news and information.  Remember, the solution begins with you! 

Funding for these operations is provided from a grant administered by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

Arcadia Snow Fest 2014

News Release - Indoor Marijuana Cultivation Discovered from "See Something, Say Something" Tip

Incident:  Indoor Marijuana Cultivation; Case #14-5789

Contact:  Watch Commander – (626) 574-5156

Date / Time of Release:  December 4, 2014 – 6:00 PM

As a result of the Arcadia Police Department’s, “See Something, Say Something” program, an alert resident notified the Police Department of suspicious activity surrounding a residence in the 400 block of East Wistaria Avenue.  Arcadia Police Officers and Detectives conducted an investigation.  On Thursday, December 4, 2014, at about 3:00 PM, Detectives obtained and served a search warrant at the home for an illegal indoor marijuana cultivation. 

  

Once inside the residence, Arcadia Detectives searched the home and found the majority of the residence being used as a sophisticated, indoor marijuana grow operation.  Approximately 250 mature marijuana plants were being grown in bedrooms and in a converted garage.  The grow consisted of multiple rooms with lighting, ventilation, electrical wiring, irrigation and drying bins strewn throughout the residence.  It appeared the electrical set-up was bypassing the meter and also tapping directly into electrical service.  There was no evidence of this being a medical marijuana related grow and nobody was located inside the dwelling.   

  

This case is currently being investigated by Detectives from the Arcadia Police Department. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151, case #14-5789. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.

Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police

           

By: Colleen Flores, Lieutenant