Arcadia Police Department Officer and Civilian of the Year for 2014

Officer Robert Bartley was selected as Arcadia Police Department and Arcadia Police Officers' Association Officer of the Year for 2014. Officer Bartley started his career with APD in 1993 after four years of service in the United States Marine Corp. Bob has served as a Patrol Officer, both a Motor and Traffic Officer, and a Field Training Officer.

Bob was nominated by fellow officers for his continuous high level of enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication to both APD and the community we serve.

Officer Bartley joins a small group of personnel to have been selected as Officer of the Year, twice in their career. Bob also received the honor in 1998.

Officer Bartley is pictured on the left, holding his plaque, along with Chief Bob Guthrie. The award was presented at APOA's annual Christmas party.

Records Technician II Luz "Lucy" Martinez was posthumously selected as the Arcadia Police Department Civilian of the Year for 2014. Lucy passed away earlier in 2014 after losing her battle with cancer. Lucy started with APD in 2000 as a Clerk/Matron. Although not physically here, Lucy remains in the hearts and minds of the APD family. Her nominations included recognition of her friendly and professional demeanor, her commitment to others and the organization, a positive attitude, and undeniable personal courage. Lucy forever had a smile on her face and is indeed missed by all. Lucy is pictured below.

Global Police Tweet-a-thon Returns Friday, December 19th

A Day on Patrol with Your Local Police or Sheriff – Arcadia PD to Participate in Global Tweet-a-thon

The Arcadia Police Department is participating in a Global Tweet-a-thon. What is it like to patrol the streets of Arcadia on a Friday morning or evening? What types of calls do Arcadia officers respond to? In an effort to give Arcadia residents a glimpse inside the way officers work to keep our community safe, the Arcadia Police Department will participate in the Global Police Tweet-a-thon on Friday, December 19, 2014 between 8:00 a.m. and midnight. (Virtual ride-along)

Officers from the Arcadia Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across the globe in taking to Twitter in an effort to bring attention and understanding to the use of social media by law enforcement.

Agencies will tweet using the same hashtag, #poltwt, to create awareness about police work and law enforcement issues, as well as to promote the use of social media and transparency in law enforcement. The theme for this event is #TimetoUnify.

Make sure to mark your calendars for this Friday, December 19th and follow us @ArcadiaPD between 8:00 a.m. and midnight. If you don’t already use Twitter, sign up for free at https://twitter.com/ArcadiaPD.

Please be aware the number of Twitter messages generated for the Global Tweet-a-thon from our agency, @ArcadiaPD, will be in excess of what may be considered a normal daily number of Twitter messages. Please take this into consideration should you have “push notifications” activated for our Twitter feed.

Your @ArcadiaPD hosts for the day will be @TRLeVeque and @Crowther439. Our Watch Commanders can be reached at 626-574-5156 or please engage with us on Twitter.

Arcadia DUI Checkpoint, December 20, 2014

ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Upcoming DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint

Contact: Sergeant Kollin Cieadlo 626.574.5475

The Arcadia Police Department will be hosting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint in the City of Arcadia during the evening hours of Saturday December 20th. 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.  Help save a life; call 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers. It simply is not worth it to drive while impaired.  Give the gift of life this holiday season and celebrate responsibly by using a sober designated driver. 

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

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.