Weekly Activity Highlights for July 9 - 15, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=10143

Weekly Tip - Burglary Prevention for Your Home

Residential burglary prevention continues to be a focus of the Arcadia Police Department. Increased patrol presence, Investigators working surveillance, follow-up on leads/tips, and recovered stolen property, are all pieces to a much larger puzzle when it comes to preventing residential burglaries and property crime. One of the most important pieces to this puzzle is the resident. It is very important to discourage the would be thief and make their job as difficult, time consuming, and as noisy as possible.

Here are a few quick tips to help keep your home safe:

•Close and lock your windows and doors! Thieves look for an easy target.

•Lock your garage door. Thefts from garages are common and it offers ready access to pry tools.

•Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed so that windows and doors are visible.

•Maintain your home and make it looked lived in. Arrange for care if you leave on vacation.

•Don't leave newspapers, mail and door hanger materials in place. Arrange for a trusted friend or neighbor to collect these items for you.

•Know your neighbors! Be familiar with cars, faces and who belongs in your neighborhood.

•Leave different lights on when you leave. Use timers when gone overnight.

•How about a radio with a talk show station tuned in when you are gone?

•Use window stops/pins to prevent windows and sliding doors from being opened.

•Maintain lists of account numbers, valuable item serial numbers and important phone numbers. Duplicate the list and maintain a copy elsewhere. Video or photo your belongings. This aids in property recovery as well as insurance replacement.

•Get an ALARM. Even simple alarms that are not connected to a central system are a deterrent.

•Ask and look for helpful tips. Your local police agency will usually offer home inspections and there are plenty of websites that offer prevention tips and ideas.

•Watch for and REPORT suspicious persons and activity. Most arrests that are made for burglary are not from a report by an alarm company, but rather from a local resident. If you see someone that does not belong in your neighborhood or on a neighbor's property, call the police.

If you return home and believe your home has been burglarized, do not enter the home. Call the police and wait out front. Tell the Dispatcher of your observations and that you have not searched your home. Chances are that the burglar is gone, but you don't want to confront them if avoidable. Entering the home may also destroy certain types of evidence that Officers will be looking for.

Additional tips and information; Crime Doctor. You can also contact the APD Community Outreach Office at (626) 821-2648 for prevention tips and information on Neighborhood Watch.

Never Forget, Officer Albert E. Matthies - Killed in the Line of Duty, EOW July 19, 1927

Tomorrow is the 90th anniversary of the murder of Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies, the only Arcadia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Matthies was shot while detaining three young men near the intersection of Northview and Foothill in north Arcadia on July 18, 1927, shortly before midnight. Officer Matthies came upon the men inside a vehicle parked on Northview. Officer Matthies was unaware that the men were preparing to conduct a robbery at a business nearby. The rear seat passenger was Frank Miller. Miller pulled out a .45 cal handgun and shot at Matthies, striking him in the neck. Matthies later died from the gunshot wound at 12:07 AM on July 19, 1927.

Leo Bertolina, a friend of Matthies, was riding along that night in the police car. Bertolina was able to scramble away after being shot at and hit with flying glass from windows being struck by gunfire. Bertolina telephoned for additional police assistance. The trio of suspects got away that night but were later apprehended in Los Angeles within days. The three suspects were later convicted of the murder of Officer Matthies and sentenced to prison. The shooter died in prison. The two accomplices were later paroled and died shortly after release. 

The murder of Officer Matthies is memorialized at the following locations:

• Plaque memorial at Foothill Blvd/Northview Ave, Arcadia CA. Northview Avenue has been co-named Albert Matthies Way in honor of Officer Matthies.
• Los Angeles County Peace Officers Memorial, Whittier CA
• California Peace Officers Memorial, Sacramento CA
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington DC
• Officer Down Memorial Page
• Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia CA
• Arcadia Police Department, Arcadia CA

Arrest of Interest / Crime Trends

Arcadia officers responded to three separate residential burglaries in the south end of town this past Monday evening, all reported after 9:00 p.m.  Not too long after, and in the same general area, an alert resident saw three males entering a yard in the 00 block of Naomi Avenue at about 10:44 p.m. The resident called APD immediately. As officers arrived, the headlights of a parked car adjacent to the property flashed. Officers approached the car and found two men laying down inside the car, one in the driver's seat, and one in the back, both wearing white paper jumpsuits. During the investigation, officers found gloves, a ski mask, flashlights, and other property in the car which was a rental. Coins from Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan were also found in the car. A check of the home did not find any forced entry and the third male was not located either.

Derrick E. Sankers, a 21-year-old Palmdale man, and Antonio R. Watts, a 22-year-old Lancaster man, were both arrested for suspicion of residential burglary and booked at the Arcadia City Jail.

(Derrick E. Sankers / Antonio R. Watts)

Anyone with information on this case or other cases is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5156. Or, if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. 

Weekly Activity Highlights for July 2 - 8, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=10111

Weekly Tip - Anonymous Crime Tips Using Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers uses a three part approach to preventing and solving crimes. The first part of the program is to empower the community by providing a safe way to report criminal activity. Secondly, Crime Stoppers partners with all forms of media in the Los Angeles region to inform the community on how to anonymously report crimes. Law Enforcement is the final part of the triangle; they follow-up on tips from community members.

The purpose of Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers is to prevent and reduce crime, by forming a partnership among the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity and cash rewards to anyone providing information leading to an arrest, making the community a safer place for all who live or work in the region.

Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy.

NO personal information, phone number, e-mail, IP address, or location is ever requested, saved, traced, tracked, or monitored.

• All tips are handled by a third party service provider
• You will never have physical contact with any law enforcement agency
• Communication is done by an encrypted chat using a code and password
• Up to a $1,000.00 reward can be collected anonymously

Please help us fight crime in Arcadia! To submit anonymous crime tips, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. 

The HEAT is On! National Weather Service Issues Excessive Heat Warning

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Los Angeles County.

"* IMPACTS...DANGEROUS HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS IS POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY FOR SENSITIVE POPULATIONS...THOSE CONDUCTING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...AND PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO AIR CONDITIONING. ELECTRICITY DEMANDS WILL BE HIGH AND POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE."

Both the Arcadia Public Library and the Arcadia Community Center are designated Cooling Centers during normal business hours. Google also provides a map of current, local Cooling Centers.

• Stay hydrated by getting plenty of water to drink
• Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing
• Apply sunscreen before you venture into the sun
• Schedule activities during cooler hours of the day
• Stay indoors, preferably with air conditioning
• Take advantage of Cooling Centers
• Pay attention to friends, family, and co-workers for any warning signs
• Check in on elderly family and neighbors twice a day during heat waves

Weekly Activity Highlights for June 25 - July 1, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=10071 

Enjoy a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

Wishing the best to all on this 4th of July.  Celebrate safely and remember - ALL Fireworks are Prohibited in the City of Arcadia.  HERE is a list of local fireworks shows in LA County.

4th of July Pet Safety Info

Important information from our partners at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA:

July 5th is a busy day for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and animal shelters around the country. The festivities we humans enjoy can be terrifying to our pets, and humane officers and concerned citizens bring countless dogs and cats—most of them exhausted and confused — to safety at animal shelters during and after the 4th of July holiday.

The safety and comfort of your pet requires special attention. PHS offers the following recommendations to help keep your pet secure. 

•Do not take your pets with you to watch fireworks.

•Keep your pet inside during 4th of July celebrations. Many cats and dogs are frightened by the loud noises of fireworks and will be happier safely confined at home. Playing a radio may help diffuse the loud noise of fireworks.

•Be certain that your pet's ID tag is current. Update your pet's microchip information if necessary. A visible form of identification is the best way to ensure that your pet can be returned home to you.

•If you think your pet may become extremely agitated or stressed, consult your veterinarian and discuss the possibility of sedatives or overnight boarding. You may wish to call an animal behavior specialist to work with your pet, but do this well in advance. 

•If your pet runs away, search the kennels of the shelter closest to you. Many shelters post photos of the animals that come into their facility on their website. The PHS website,www.pasadenahumane.org, is updated hourly so that lost animals may be quickly reunited with their lost owners. Post signs and visit nearby shelters for at least the next month. Animals can run a long way when they are badly frightened.

•If your cat is lost, it may stay in hiding for several days or weeks, so leave plenty of food and fresh water outside your door. (Pick it up at night so you don't attract unwanted wild animals.) Post signs and check your local and neighboring shelters in person and on line; your description of your pet may fit several animals in the shelter.

Staff at the Pasadena Humane Society will be available from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4th and again at 8:00 a.m. on July 5th so people can find their lost pets. 

The staff at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA wishes you and your pets have a very safe and happy 4th of July.

*PHS is is the primary Animal Care and Control provider for the City of Arcadia.

ROAD CLOSURE: Arcadia Patriotic Festival

First Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Huntington Drive and Santa Clara Streets starting at 11:00 p.m. Friday, June 30th. The closure will be in place through approximately 10:00 p.m. Saturday, July 1st. to accommodate the Downtown Arcadia Patriotic Festival.

Weekly Activity Highlights for June 18 - 24, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=10041

Weekly Tip - NO Fireworks are Permitted in Arcadia! Enjoy a Professional Show!

Fireworks stands will soon be popping up in some surrounding communities. We would like to remind everyone, use or possession of any form of fireworks is illegal in the City of Arcadia. In addition to our officers watching for violations, the Arcadia Fire Department will also have area patrols through the 4th of July holiday. Violations may result in arrest or citation, and seizure of all fireworks.

The best and safest source of 4th of July entertainment can be found at a professional fireworks show. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has provided a list of many shows throughout LA County beginning on June 30th through July 4th. Be safe and enjoy the show! You can also call 888-654-FIRE (3473) for show locations near you. 

UPDATE: The LACo FD link is being updated. The Patch has also provided a list of local shows HERE.               

Arrest of Interest / Crime Trends

One of our officers was working burglary suppression in the area of Holly and Longden Avenues yesterday when he stopped a car for vehicle code violations at about 11:00 a.m. After contacting both the driver and passenger, the officer learned the pair had outstanding arrest warrants and the male was on probation for burglary. During the investigation, items of jewelry, a laptop, 28 cell phones, narcotic paraphernalia, burglary tools, identification and a passport in other names, and additional property was found in the car. The officers believed the majority of these items to be stolen property and were able to identify some items as being taken in a recent auto burglary in a nearby city.

Christopher A. Duarte, a 28-year-old Upland man, and Christine L. Beyers, a 35-year-old Rosemead woman, were both arrested and booked at the Arcadia City Jail on felony charges and warrants.

(Christine L. Beyers / Christopher A. Duarte)

Anyone with information on this case or other cases is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5156. Or, if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. 

Weekly Activity Highlights for June 11 - 17, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=10007

Weekly Tip - Never Leave Kids, Pets, or Older Adults in a Parked Car

With the summer months upon us, now is the time to learn about the dangers of heatstroke and being trapped in a hot car. Learn how the temperature outside may affect the temperature inside your vehicle.

Heatstroke is dangerous and can be deadly. Never leave children, pets, or older adults unattended in a parked car.

Use the following life saving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind yourself and others to check the back seat before walking away from a vehicle. Children mistakenly being left in hot vehicles make up many of the tragedies reported each year.

·         Look Before You Lock. Get into the routine of always checking the back seat of your vehicle before you lock it and walk away.

·         A Gentle Reminder. Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it is empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Alternatively, place your phone, briefcase, or purse in the back seat when traveling with your child.

·         A Routine Check. If someone else is driving your child, or you alter your daily routine, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.

·         A Key to Safety. You know to keep your vehicle locked, but also keep your keys out of reach; nearly 3 in 10 heatstroke deaths happen when an unattended child gains access to a vehicle.

Learn more extreme heat preparedness at www.ready.gov/heat.  (Tips courtesy of Ready.gov)

Arrest of Interest / Crime Trends

Identity theft includes more than crimes with just financial loss. An arrest on Saturday, June 10th, involved a man in possession of medical information, prescriptions, and ID's belonging to in excess 30 persons. Shortly after 1:00 pm, an officer contacted the man riding a skateboard near Panorama and Golden West Drives. The man was found to have an outstanding warrant, was in possession of a controlled substance, and was arrested. During the investigation numerous papers with medical & healthcare identification to other persons, prescription bottles with a variety of medications, new and used cell phones, drug paraphernalia, and other items were found in the suspect's possession.

Michael K. Izon, a 33-year-old man from Los Angeles, was arrested and booked at the Arcadia City Jail on felony charges along with the outstanding warrant.

Anyone with information on this case or other cases is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5156. Or, if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. 

Weekly Activity Highlights for June 4 - 10, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=9965

Weekly Activity Highlights for May 28 - June 3, 2017

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=9923

Weekly Tip - Host or Join Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer. Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. The modern version of Neighborhood Watch was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs who were looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens and address an increasing number of burglaries. 

 

Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night.

Give Community Service Officer Mike Vercillo a call and ask about joining your local neighborhood watch. Or, consider hosting a neighborhood meeting if there is not an established group near you. CSO Vercillo can be reached at 626.821.2648.