Arcadia PD Joins National Campaign to End Distracted Driving

Arcadia, CA– Distracted driving is such an important safety issue that April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.  In California, Police, Sheriff and CHP officials are joining the Office of Traffic Safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as law enforcement throughout the country, working together to focus on education as well as enforcement. 

The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in an attempt to change behavior and save lives, not just in April but also year-round.  The Arcadia Police Department will join statewide enforcement campaigns on April 7th and 20th, “zero tolerance days,” when all agencies will be especially vigilant for distracted drivers.  In addition to these days officers will be out on April 1st to conduct additional citywide enforcement efforts directed at distracted drivers. Although the purpose of the campaign is not to write as many citations as possible, sometimes citations are necessary for drivers to understand the importance of focusing on their driving. 

Distracted driving continues to be a problem, especially as the use of Smartphones increase.  Although such crashes are often difficult to prove, California had at least 84 fatal distracted driving collisions in 2013, 85 in 2014 and 67 in 2015, with the actual number of cases likely higher.  The number of injury collisions for the same three-year period shows an increase: 10,078 in 2013; 10,463 in 2014, and 11,023 in 2015.  NHTSA data for 2014 show nationwide, 3,179 people died in distracted driving collisions, which is 10 per cent of all crash fatalities.  An additional 431,000 people, or 18 per cent, were injured in motor vehicle collisions involving distracted drivers. 

“As we rely on our cell phones more and more in our everyday lives, we seem to be kidding ourselves in thinking that they don’t affect our driving,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.  “Crashes are up.  The scientific evidence is solid.  The dangers are real, and they apply to all of us.  We need to silence the distractions.”

The problem of distracted driving is significant, and no surprise to drivers day in and day out.  The Department Of Transportation notes that at any given moment, during daylight hours, more than 660,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cellphone.   

NHTSA will conduct a television campaign in April with the message “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” OTS will produce public service announcements and conduct a social media campaign urging drivers to “Silence the Distraction.” 

WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

• Texting

• Using a cellphone or smartphone

• Eating and drinking

• Talking to passengers

• Grooming

• Reading, including maps

• Using a navigation system

• Watching a video

• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The California Office of Traffic Safety, Police, Sheriff and the CHP reminds everyone that best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses.

For additional information, contact Sgt. Kollin Cieadlo, 626-574-5475.

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

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!

Weekly Tip - Bicycling in Arcadia



Did you know that the City of Arcadia has over 28 miles in suggested bicycle riding loops? The different loops tour the City and highlight our parks and neighborhoods. You can download the City of Arcadia brochure, Bicycling in Arcadia, HERE. The brochure offers loop maps, safety tips, rules of the road, and information from the MTA on public transportation and bicycles. The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles website also is a good resource with links to bicycle laws and tips.

Safety is always a concern when riding your bike! A good portion of the City brochure highlights safety topics. Be sure to review the information. Below is a list of the top three Arcadia intersections where bicycle collisions have occurred in recent years:

• Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road
• Holly Avenue and Huntington Drive
• Duarte Road and Baldwin Avenue

Take care on any roadway, but especially when crossing major intersections. If you are riding with family or not an experienced bicyclist, please utilize pedestrian crossings and walk your bike across major intersections. Ride Safe, Share the Road!

Weekly Activity Highlights for March 20 - 26, 2016

http://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=6281

Happy Easter 2016

Wishing the best to everyone during this Easter holiday.  In addition to all those on the road for the holiday weekend, many schools are out for spring break.  Take care on the roads and travel safely. Happy Easter!

Residential Burglary Suspect Arrested

On Friday, March 25, 2016, at approximately 8:55 P.M., Arcadia Police Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Monte Place in regards to a suspicious vehicle parked on the driveway of a residence, with a male black subject standing by it. The vehicle then left the location and was last seen southbound on Highland Oaks Drive. Responding Arcadia Police Officers located the suspicious vehicle, occupied by a male black subject, getting onto the 210 Freeway eastbound on ramp and attempted to stop it. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued on the freeway. California Highway Patrol ultimately took over the pursuit and apprehended the driver in the city of Westmont. Arcadia Police Officers then took custody of the suspect.

The investigation revealed a residential burglary had occurred in the 200 block of Monte Place. A police scanner and stolen property from the residence were located inside of the suspect vehicle.

Suspect Steve Gainer, age 32, of Paramount, was arrested for Penal Code 459-Residential Burglary and California Vehicle Code 2800.2-Felony Evading. He is being held in custody at the Arcadia City Jail on $125,000 bail.

Susp:  Steve Gainer

Photograph of scanner in the center console of 

the suspect vehicle

Photograph of the stolen/recovered property

in the trunk of the suspect vehicle

Photograph of the stolen/recovered property

in the trunk of the suspect vehicle (close up)

  

Arrest of Package Theft Suspects

The Arcadia Police Department is committed to reducing property crimes by taking a proactive approach to catch criminals as they commit crimes.  The police department has procured a number of GPS tracking devices and placed them in a variety of packages that are left on doorsteps of residences and businesses within the city.  When these packages are stolen the police department is alerted and the packages are tracked.

On March 24, 2015, at approximately 5:15 A.M., Arcadia police officers responded to the southeast portion of the city regarding an alert of a stolen package with a GPS tracker.  Officers tracked the package and determined it was inside of a vehicle in the area.  A traffic stop was conducted and the package was located inside the vehicle. In addition to the stolen package, officers discovered other suspected stolen property, stolen mail from the area, narcotics, and narcotic paraphernalia.  Included in the suspected stolen property was an array of credit cards, checks, identifications, social security cards and other personal identifying information.

The suspects arrested were  Devon Ricco Menendez, 24 years old and Unique Rios, 19 years old both from Canoga Park.  They were  both charged with Grand Theft, Grand Theft Auto, False Impersonation and receiving stolen property.  Suspect Rios is currently on probation for Grand Theft Auto and had an outstanding warrant.  Both suspects are being held in the Arcadia City Jail. 

We would like to remind our community that if you see something that doesn't belong, call us.  Remember If you see something, say something!

DC

Child Seat Safety, Education and Directed Enforcement

During the week of March 27, 2016 through April 2, 2016, the Arcadia Police Department Traffic Bureau will be conducting directed enforcement focused on child seat safety. During this week officers will be targeting drivers who allow children to ride in vehicles while not properly restrained. 

Education is a significant deterrence when it comes to child seat safety. Educational materials will be handed out to area schools and officers will be available for questions regarding child seat safety. 

Motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death for children and young adults. In 2014, over 6000 children under 14 were killed or seriously injured as a result of vehicle crashes in California. Sixty-three percent of children who died were unrestrained. 

California law requires children to ride in a safety seat or booster, in the back seat, until they are at least eight years old. However, most children need a booster seat for proper belt fit until they are 10 to 12 years old. SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. recommends that children ride in the back seat, which is 40% safer than the front, until they are old enough to learn to drive. For more information on child passenger safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

The California Highway Patrol is another great resource on Child Restraint Safety. If you are not confident in your ability to properly install your car seat, contact the local CHP Office to schedule an appointment to assist in installation.

For questions or information on this directed enforcement and education campaign, please contact Traffic Bureau Sergeant Kollin Cieadlo, 626.574.5475.