Weekly Tip - Holiday Shopping Season...Help Prevent Package Theft!

The holiday season is upon us...are you ordering  presents over the phone, via the Internet, or by mail? Chances are that those packages will be delivered straight to your front porch. The majority of deliveries do not require a signature and are generally left at your door, even if no one is home to accept them. This time of year brings out those looking for a crime of opportunity as well as those thieves that actually target your delivery. Thieves will follow or watch for the UPS, Fed Ex or other delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made.

Here are some suggestions for helping to prevent a theft of your packages:

• Use your workplace as the shipping address.
• Track your shipments by phone, on-line, or by carrier app so you know what day they should arrive.
• Ask you neighbor to watch for your delivery and then hold the items until you arrive home.
• Keep an eye on your neighborhood and report suspicious persons and vehicles sitting or cruising the area. See Something, Say Something!
• Request a signature delivery option, if available.
• Have the shipment be held at the shipping facility such as a UPS office.
• Utilize a "mailbox" businesses in your town and see if they will accept shipment of your item for a fee.
• If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery. If the item was delivered and you did not receive it, then report the theft or loss to the original company, the shipping company, and your local police.

These tips are good year round, not just at holiday time!

Airbag Recall! Don't Risk Your Safety!

Certain vehicles, equipped with Takata Airbags are currently being recalled nationwide.

Customers are being urged to go to the NHTSA website; https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/and enter the vehicles Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their vehicle is included in this recall.  VIN numbers can also be checked through the OTS website; http://www.ots.ca.gov.  If the vehicle is included, they are to immediately contact their nearest dealer and schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired for free.

In particular, if you own a 2001-2003 Honda or Acura vehicle, you are asked to immediately take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for inspection. Even if you don't own this type of vehicle, please visit the SaferCar.gov website and check your vehicle VIN. It will identify other recalls as well.

Welcome Our Newest Officer - K9 Officer Zoli

The Arcadia Police Department is proud to announce the arrival of our newest Officer. Please welcome K9 Officer Zoli, an 18-month old German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois mix, born in Slovakia. Officer Zoli and his handler, Officer Josh Foulks, will complete training this week. Officer Foulks and Zoli will begin Patrol training and be introduced to fellow members of APD next week. Training has been extensive and was completed through Gold Coast K9 in Moorpark.

It has been over 12 years since the Arcadia Police Department fielded a K9 unit and we are looking forward to this addition to our services. Funding for Zoli and his training was made possible through the Arcadia Police Foundation, founded in 2015.

We look forward to providing additional information on K9 Zoli and the return of our K9 program in coming weeks as Zoli and Officer Foulks hit the streets.

For questions pertaining to the K9 program, please contact Lt. Colleen Flores at 626-574-5156.

Honoring Those Who Served - Veterans Day 2016

Please join us in honoring and saying thanks to all who have served our Nation.

Happy Veterans Day 2016!

Weekly Activity Highlights for October 30 - November 5, 2016

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=8687

Weekly Tip - Holiday Time Often Sparks Home Burglaries

Over past years, we have seen an uptick in Residential Burglary reports during the holidays. Take a look at the current area crime map above for burglaries having occurred in the last week.

The majority of Arcadia burglaries have been committed during daytime hours. 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.

Time for a Change! Clocks Fall Back 1 Hour Tonight!

Set your clocks back one hour tonight before you go to bed. Officially, the time change is at 2:00 a.m., Sunday, November 6, 2016.  Gain an hour of sleep and wake refreshed!