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.

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.

Weekly Tip - Think Pool Safety!

Summer is quickly approaching and one of the biggest attractions during this time of year is the swimming pool. Unfortunately, our pools are also one the leading contributors to accidents, injury and death in the home. Children love water and a pool is an inviting place, not only in the summer, but throughout the year for a young child. That is why there are rules and regulations that apply to all residential swimming pools. Fences, alarms, clearance, self-closing gates and latches, are just some of the requirements. Visit your local City website and view the municipal code requirements or call your local City Hall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a handout available on-line that gives excellent tips for pool safety. See the City of Arcadia website and other sources, such as the Red Cross, for additional tips and resources available on the web.

In addition to the physical requirements, remember to always be aware of your young childs whereabouts when pools are near. Even if they know how to swim, keep an eye on them. Set rules for your children about not using the pool without adult supervision, keep toys and other inviting objects away from the pool when not in use, always have a phone available near the pool, keep pool gates locked and shut when not using them, do not place ladders or chairs against the outside of a pool fence. Learn basic safety techniques and take a CPR class. Be proactive and prevent accidents before they happen!

Summer time is also a time for outdoor gatherings and hosting a pool party. Never assume your child is being watched. Appoint someone to be the "pool monitor" at all times. Time is not on your side with a drowning victim. Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. Answering the phone, getting another drink, grabbing a snack, all allow time for a drowning. Be responsible and be always aware of what is happening in the pool! If a child is missing, the first place to look should be the pool. In the event of an emergency, immediately call 9-1-1.

Weekly Tip - Motorcycle Licensing and Safety

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Here is a post offering some tips on motorcycle safety and education.

Summer time, gas prices, both are reasons why many people turn to a motorcycle for their daily commute. Motorcycles can save time and fuel cost, but without proper training and practice, the rider can be much more prone to becoming involved in a collision compared to driving a car. California law requires that a motorcycle rider obtain a Class M1 endorsement on their license. The test is fairly simple and with a minimum of studying and practice, a rider can pass the tests. However, that is NOT enough.

Prior to straddling a motor and hitting the streets or freeways, motorcycle riders need to understand their bikes, know their capabilities as a rider, what to look for, and what to expect while riding. To accomplish this, the rider needs to practice, study, and hopefully, take a safety course. Learning from other's mistakes and taking advantage of the advice from an experienced rider can save your life.

Here are some links to information resources and rider classes:

•National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

•Web Bike World

•Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac - Local Safety Classes)

Successful Distracted Driving Campaign During April

Arcadia Police Department Conducts Successful Distracted Driving Effort

Safety Message Strongly Enforced

During the month of April, motorists caught violating California’s distracted-driving law received a clear message from law enforcement during the high-visibility enforcement campaign.

“Using a hand-held phone for calls, texting or apps while driving is something we all know is dangerous and wrong, but too many drivers are doing it anyway. So when we see it, we show zero tolerance,” said Sergeant Kollin Cieadlo, Arcadia Police Department.

The Arcadia Police Department issued 191 citations to violators of California’s distracted-driving law during the recent enforcement period. The law provides that it is illegal to hold and use a cell phone while texting, calling or using apps while driving. It must be affixed to the vehicle and may be operated in hands free mode using voice activation or used with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.

“Distracted driving kills too many people for us to ignore the facts and pretend it’s okay—it is never acceptable to text and drive,” said Sergeant Kollin Cieadlo. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed, nationwide, and another 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.

Offenders caught texting and driving will face tickets totaling at least $162, and higher for a second violation. Though the high-visibility enforcement effort is over, law enforcement officers will continue watching for distracted drivers to make sure all motorists keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

This campaign is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Weekly Tip - May is National Bike Month

Did You Know?

• Head injuries are the most serious type of injury and the most common cause of death for bicyclists. Bicycle helmets have been proven to reduce the risk of head and brain injury when a crash occurs by as much as 85 to 88 percent.
• Children with bicycle-related head injuries are more likely to require hospitalization and to have their injuries result in death.
• More than one-fifth of all bicyclist deaths occur among school age youth ages 5 to 15.
• More children go to hospital emergency departments for bicycle related crashes than for any other sport.
• Of child bicyclists (16 years and under) killed on the road, 49 percent are killed while bicycling on minor roads (connecting roads and neighborhood streets) and almost 49 percent are killed while bicycling on major roads (high-volume roads across cities and towns).
• Almost half of bicycle crashes occur in driveways or on sidewalks

For some great safety tips and additional information, please visit the Safe Kids USA website.  You can also find information on "bike to work" and "bike to school" programs on the CalTrans website.

Weekly Tip - Be Safe While Out Walking!

Warmer weather, daylight saving time, summer approaching, are all reasons more pedestrians are hitting the road in the early mornings and evenings.  It is important to practice good walking and running safety as a pedestrian.  Many factors impact whether or not drivers will see pedestrians. Some vision obscurements and lighting conditions are not controlled by the pedestrian, but we can greatly enhance our safety and visibility with some proactive steps:

• Wear light/bright colored clothing, preferably clothing with reflective strips or perhaps a safety vest.
• Carry a lighted flashlight when walking at night.
• Use sidewalks when available.
• Walk facing traffic so you can see cars approaching.
• If walking or running in the roadway, stay out of traffic lanes - it is unsafe and possibly unlawful.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets, additional lanes, or driveways.
• Never assume drivers will stop or yield - walk defensively.
• If you must have music or talk on your phone, use only one earpiece and keep the volume down. Listen for traffic!
• Be aware of your surroundings and practice personal safety!
• Vary your routes so you are not predictable.
• Avoid dimly lit roads, alleys, and areas.
• Carry identification and a cell phone.
• Walk with a partner or friend.
• Don't approach vehicles stopping near you or in your path.
• Consider personal safety items such as pepper spray.

Welcome 2017 with a Safe New Year's Eve!

We will celebrate New Year's Eve tonight and there are a number of things to consider when it comes to celebrating safely. Here are a few things to think about for our New Years celebrations:

•Don't Drink and Drive!

•Use a designated driver, or if need be, call AAA Tipsy Tow for a ride home for you and your car. See AAA website or call 800-400-4222 for information.

•DO NOT fire weapons into the air. Bullets and projectiles can travel long distances causing injury and death. You have no control where a projectile will land when fired indiscriminately into the air.

•Stay inside at the stroke of midnight! Celebrate with friends and family indoors.

•Keep an eye on your pets. Loud noises, fireworks, gunshots, all can be frightening to animals. Keep your pets indoors or consult your veterinarian for options. Make sure they are wearing collars with identification should they become lost.

Remember to celebrate safely and smartly. Enjoy the New Year celebration!

Last Minute Shopping? Think About Your Personal Safety!

Our personal safety is something that we should always be considering, especially when out in public. The shopping season is in full swing and our shopping centers will be packed these last days before Christmas Here are some tips and thoughts on steps you can take to help maintain your personal safety:

•Awareness & Avoidance - Not enough can be said for being aware of your surroundings. It does not matter where you are, at home, out shopping, driving, at the park, DO NOT settle into a fog and become so involved in your task that you fail to look around. Scan the area before you head out. Look around and see what potential threats may be looming. Are there suspicious persons parked by your car? Is there a car approaching slowly from behind? If you see something that makes you suspicious or uncomfortable, walk away, return to the store, and report the activity and your observations to security or store staff.

•Be a Good Witness - If you see a crime or fall victim, be the best witness you can be. Without good suspect descriptions it is difficult for police to conduct follow-up, apprehend criminals, and hopefully, help prevent others from becoming future victims. Basic physical descriptions such as hair color and style, height, weight and build, clothing color and type, suspect vehicle description and license plate, direction of travel, are all things that a responding police officer will ask for. Try and make note of anything specific to the suspect such as tattoos, scars, piercings or perhaps damage in a particular location on a suspect vehicle.

•Consider the Stakes - If this is a property crime and you are in fear for your safety, give up the purse, the wallet, the car. Your personal well-being is much more valuable than your property. Property can be replaced, you can't. 

•Make a Scene! - Drawing attention to yourself, and more importantly, to the suspect, can not only deter the crime but also bring forward other witnesses and possibly help. Yell, scream, use a whistle, run away...

•Don't be a Target - Walk with a purpose and look about surveying your surroundings. Carry your keys and whistle in your hand, not buried in your purse. This allows you to immediately open your vehicle or set off your car alarm if needed. Keep your purse tucked under your shoulder, not dangling down or sitting unattended in a cart.

Query the topic of personal safety on-line. There are many quality sites that offer additional advice and products that can bolster your safety. Best overall advice...Awareness and Avoidance!

Weekly Tip - Parking Lot Survival Tips 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.