Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 5, 2011

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Mountain Views News Saturday, February 5, 2011

FATAL FIRE SHOULD BE REMINDER TO PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY

Business Pros to Offer Students 
Insight into Working World 

at 9th Annual City-Sponsored 
Groundhog Shadow Day

DUARTE, CA, January 31, 2011 – More than 130 Duarte High 
School students and business professionals will have the opportunity 
to spend a day both teaching and

learning about a variety of jobs and careers in the working world 
during the upcoming 9th annual “Groundhog Job Shadow Day” 
slated for Wednesday, Feb. 16.

The program is sponsored by the City of Duarte, Duarte’s Promise 
– The Alliance for Youth, the City of Hope, the Duarte Unified 
School District, and California American Water.

Students will shadow adult mentors as they go about their normal 
work day in careers including banking, healthcare, education, 
printing, real estate, automotive repair, retail, food industry 
and utilities, among others. City of Hope, Duarte Chamber of 
Commerce, JPL, Duarte Unified School District, RCS Heating and 
Air Conditioning, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Bassett 
Unified School District, SCE FCU Federal Credit Union, Santa 
Anita Family YMCA, Royal Coaches, Los Angeles County Library, 
Duarte Field Services, Duarte Public Safety, Seidner’s Collision 
Center, the Foothill Unity Center and Old Town Signs Company are 
among some of the business and industry participants.

Groundhog Job Shadow Day will kick off with an opening 
ceremony and breakfast for students and mentors at 7:30 a.m. at 
the Duarte Community Center. After spending the next several 
hours together on the job, students and mentors will return to the 
Community Center for a luncheon and a talk featuring a guest 
speaker.

For more information or to become a sponsoring worksite, call 
Duarte’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth at (626) 357-7931, ext. 
267.

From the desk of Scott Ochoa, 
Monrovia City Manager

 The fatal fire on Monday is 
an unfortunate reminder of 
the dangers that even small 
fires pose to life. Initial reports 
of the fire from the 
first arriving engine company, 
which was dispatched 
at 11:43 am, indicated no 
visible smoke or flames from 
the front of a two-story Victorian 
home on North Magnolia 
Avenue. That engine 
company was on scene in 
less than two minutes from 
time of dispatch, which is an 
exceptionally fast response 
time. Upon further investigation, 
the Fire Engine Captain 
reported smoke from a rear 
detached unit with reports of 
a person trapped inside the 
unit. The reports of a victim 
came from two individuals 
living in the front home. The 
smoke was not heavy and still 
no visible fire was reported, 
which indicates the fire was 
small and confined to the 
area of initial ignition.

 The Division Chief arrived 
on scene, established command, 
and ordered search 
and rescue efforts, fire attack 
and vertical ventilation 
where firefighters access the 
roof and cut a large hole to 
remove smoke and heated 
gases. The fire crews performing 
the critical search 
and rescue operation found 
blocked access within the 
small unit with overloaded 
contents throughout. The 
hoarding condition certainly 
slowed the search and rescue 
operations and was a contributing 
factor to the ignition 
of fire.

 Arson investigators were 
called to the scene to determine 
the cause and origin of 
the fire, which is a common 
and routine procedure whenever 
a fatality occurs during 
a fire. That is not to say that 
fire officials believed arson 
was the cause of the fire, but 
speaks to the fact that arson 
investigators have more 
knowledge and perform a 
more detailed investigation 
to assist with the critical 
components of determining 
what caused the fatality, 
documenting the scene and 
providing photographic evidence. 
In this case, the cause 
and origin was easily determined 
and the investigation 
was concluded in a matter of 
hours, not days or weeks. 

 The investigator determined 
that a small appliance 
in the kitchen overheated 
with accumulated belongings 
(classic hoarding conditions) 
around the power 
plug and compressor, leading 
to a small fire in the kitchen 
area. The fire was contained 
to the kitchen area, but produced 
enough heat and 
smoke to overcome the occupant 
of the unit which led to 
unconsciousness.

 This is a stark reminder 
to maintain clear spacing 
around all appliances, space 
heaters, water heaters, ovens 
and stoves to prevent the 
combustion of material. It is 
also a reminder that it doesn't 
take a large or explosive fire 
to take a life. The fact is, most 
fatalities occur as a result of 
smoke and heated gas inhalation, 
not burns. Properly 
working smoke detectors and 
having an escape plan with at 
least two routes out of your 
home is critical. Finally, 
never try to self-extinguish 
fires. Once a smoke detector 
activates or smoke is visible, 
stay low to the ground and 
exit the structure following 
your escape route plan. 
Monday's fire reinforces all 
of these facts and is an unfortunate, 
yet common occurrence 
throughout the nation.

 Residents should practice 
fire safety at all times.

Monrovia Yard Sale Permits

As part of the City of Monrovia New Year’s Resolution “Reduce 
Your Waste Line” event, the Department of Community Development 
offered free yard sale permits for residents throughout the 
City. This was a one-week effort as part of the reuse undertaking 
going on all across the City. Community Development pitched in 
by not only encouraging residents to host yard sales, but advertised 
them online through the City website and with hand-out 
lists at the public counter. Many residents responded and were 
excited to get involved in the Go Green effort. Check the City of 
Monrovia website to see how you can get involved as well. 

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB’S FOR LOVE OF 
YOUTH DINNER IS A GALA AFFAIR AND 
GOOD CAUSE

 The For Love of Youth Dinner is always a good time and it 
is definitely a good cause. The Boys & Girls Club is rejuvenated, 
under the leadership of new Executive Director John 
Wilson; and John and his team are cranking out great programs 
for great kids. Club Patron Saint, Angel’s Manager 
Mike Scioscia, will be on hand to help raise some needed 
money with exciting VIP Angels Packages, so please come 
out. For more information about the event, please Erin Igoe 
at (626) 305-5353. 

Opportunities to Serve on 
Implementation Task Groups 

for Duarte Youth and Family 
Master Plan

The Duarte Youth & 
Family Committee is inviting 
applications from community 
members who would like to 
work on one of four task groups 
to implement the Duarte Youth 
and Family Master Plan. 

Developed over a 10-month 
period with the input of 
more than 1,000 community 
members, adults and youth, 
the Youth and Family Master 
Plan is a roadmap for public, 
nonprofit and private agencies, 
as well as the community-at-
large, to build a better future 
for youth and families in 
Duarte. 

The responsibility to 
implement the action steps 
falls to the entire community. 
Opportunities are open to 
serve on the Committee’s 
Annual Report Card Task 
Group; Youth and Family 
Committee Action Steps Task 
Group, charged with ensuring 
specific designated action steps 
are initiated and benchmarks 
achieved; Communication 
and Media Task Group; and 
Initiator Follow-up Task 
Group. 

Youth and Family Master 
Plan recommendations, 
66 steps in all, are grouped 
under nine common themes, 
including: ensuring that 
youth and families feel safe; 
enhancing access to health 
and mental health services; 
enhancing programs and 
services that benefit youth and 
families; connecting youth to 
the community and to services; 
re-energizing the Duarte Teen 
Center; developing cultural 
and diversity appreciation; 
improving coordination 
of programs and services; 
supporting education and 
employment skill development; 
and implementing the Duarte 
Youth and Family Master Plan. 

Applications for the task 
group are available online 
at www.accessduarte.com 
under Parks and Recreation/
Youth and Family Master 
Plan. Applications can also 
be picked up at Duarte City 
Hall Parks and Recreation 
Dept., 1600 Huntington 
Dr. For more information 
about applying to a task 
group, call Donna Georgino 
at (626) 357-7931, or email: 
georginod@accessduarte.
com. Applications are due by 
February 22.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan - 

Drought Tolerant Native Plants Available Free

Hillsides and difficult-to-maintain areas around your home may 
be perfect locations for native shrubs and trees that are adapted to 
dry locations and you can obtain native plants for free from either, 
the City of Monrovia Fire Department or the Los Angeles County 
Fire Department, Forestry Division. See below for how to obtain 
your free plant.

Why are these fire departments promoting native plants? 
In general, fire departments around the country are adopting 
guidelines for sustainable fire-safe landscaping, involving low 
maintenance effort and cost, reduced water use, avoidance of 
invasive plants, promotion of wildlife habitat and other values. But 
many people view our native chaparral, shrub and oak woodland 
plants with suspicion because they lack the lush, tropical look that 
many people associate with fire-resistance. However, looks can be 
deceiving. The plants that we are offering to residents maintain high 
levels of moisture in their leaves and stems with little irrigation. In 
other words, they keep their moisture inside, where it counts in 
promoting fire-resistance.

Of course, any plant can burn, and therefore, all plants in 
the landscape around your home require proper planting and 
maintenance in order to maintain your defensible space. When 
landscaping in the High Fire Hazard Zone, plant and maintain 
trees and shrubs as healthy, well-spaced individual specimens or 
clumps and follow all requirements of the Monrovia Fire Code. The 
following link is a great source for further information about fire-
safe landscaping: http://groups.ucanr.org/SAFE/. 

The following plants are currently available to our residents at 
no cost, from the City of Monrovia Fire Department through the 
generosity of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Forestry 
Division: Coast Live Oak (large tree), Toyon (small tree), Mountain 
Mahogany (large shrub) and Hollyleaf Cherry (large shrub).

We have these in five-gallon pots and in very small “super-cells.” 
Please reserve your free plant by contacting Rachel Wing, City of 
Monrovia, CLOAKING or (626) 482-6208. Supplies are limited, so 
please call or email right away. 

Additional native plants are also available, in limited numbers, 
from their source, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, 
Forestry Division. These are native plants, grown principally for 
the following purposes: Stabilizing hillsides; replacing ornamental, 
invasive and non-native plants with ones that generally require less 
water and maintenance; replacing ornamental, invasive and non-
native plants that are generally more prone to fire with plants that 
are more suitable in High Fire Hazard areas. 

For more information about obtaining a free oak and other 
natives, please call the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, San 
Dimas Forestry Unit at (909) 599-4615.

Monrovia Police Blotter

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YoGamaDreNew students only.
Limited time offer.
During the last seven day period, the Police 
Department handled 454 service events, resulting 
in 86 investigations. Following are the last week’s 
highlighted issues and events:

Felony Vandalism - Suspect Arrested

On January 20 at 12:35 p.m., officers responded 
to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain 
regarding a subject that had thrown rocks at 
nine parked vehicles, breaking seven windows. 
The male suspect was wearing a white t-shirt 
with a red sweatshirt tied around his waist and 
he had fled the area. The suspect was located 
and detained by officers on Mountain under the 
freeway. He was positively identified and arrested 
for felony vandalism and misdemeanor warrants.

Felony Hit and Run Traffic Accident - 

Suspect Arrested

On January 20 at 2:14 p.m., officers responded 
to the area of Foothill and Mayflower regarding 
two male subjects fighting as a result of a traffic 
collision. The collision involved a motorcycle and 
a car. A passenger on the motorcycle sustained 
injuries. The driver of the car fled, but was 
detained by an officer a short distance away. The 
driver was positively identified and was arrested. 

Robbery

On January 21 at 6:05 p.m., police responded 
to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington 
that had just been robbed at gunpoint. The 
suspect was described as male, 30 years old, 
possible mustache or goatee, wearing a blue 
baseball cap, dark hooded sweatshirt, and dark 
pants. The suspect was given the money from 
the register and had exited the business running 
west toward Mayflower. An extensive area search 
was conducted, but the suspect was not located. 
Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery - Suspect Arrested

On January 21 at 8:37 p.m., an officer on patrol 
in the 1600 block of South Mayflower located and 
conducted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle. The 
driver of the vehicle was the listed suspect. She 
was arrested and taken into custody. The vehicle 
had been stolen from a car rental company. 

Child Abuse - Suspect Arrested

On January 21 at 5:36 p.m., an officer was 
dispatched for a welfare check at a residence 
attached to a business in the 2100 block of South 
Myrtle. The investigation resulted in the arrest 
of the father at the location. Two children were 
interviewed and stated their father chokes, kicks 
and pulls their ears. The 4-year-old male child had 
visible injury to his neck. He told the investigating 
officer his father grabs his neck and chokes him. 
The Department of Child and Family Services 
assigned custody of the children to the mother 
with the requirement that they be kept away from 
the father until his hearing. In the early morning, 
the mother came to the police station with the 
children to bail out the father. The Department 
of Child and Family Services was notified and 
responded. They felt the children could not be 
protected under the current circumstances and 
took temporary custody of the children. 

Fight in Progress / Public Intoxication - 
Subjects Arrested

On January 23 at 1:44 a.m., officers responded 
to a night club in the 300 block of South Myrtle 
regarding a fight in progress. Upon arrival, 
several patrons were gathered to the front of the 
business and to the rear parking lot. No fight was 
observed and no victims came forward; however, 
two male subjects were obviously intoxicated and 
were arrested and taken into custody. 

Vandalism / Destruction of City Property

On January 24 at 8:30 a.m., officers went to the 
400 block of East Duarte regarding the vandalism 
and destruction of city property. The officer 
found the lock to the location had been cut off. 
The property was checked, but no suspects were 
found.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On January 24 at 9:15 a.m., a resident in the 
400 block of East Duarte saw a male and female 
subject on his neighbor’s property. He closed the 
gate to secure the couple inside the fenced in 
area. The male suspect became combative and 
forced the gate open. During the confrontation, 
the victim was struck on the head with a cordless 
drill. The suspects fled the location. A search 
of the area was conducted for the suspects, 
but they were not located. The victim did not 
require medical attention. The investigation is 
continuing.