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Mountain Views News Saturday, May 21, 2011
From Arcadia’s Best...
Arcadia Police Go High Tech to
Search for Missing Children
Arcadia, CA — Arcadia Interim Police Chief
Bob Guthrie has formalized an agreement with
the A Child Is Missing Alert Program (ACIM)
that has led to a high tech method now in place
to search locally for missing children, missing
elderly, and missing persons who may be mentally
or physically challenged or disabled.
Effective immediately, upon receipt of
most missing person calls, the Arcadia Police
Department will make a phone call to a toll-free
number that rings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—
the national headquarters of the A Child Is
Missing Alert Program, a nationwide non-profit
organization. The call, answered 24/7/365 by an
Information and Mapping Technician, initiates
a rapid process of information gathering and
use of sophisticated mapping systems. A Child
Is Missing then launches potentially thousands
of calls within minutes with an alert message
detailing the missing person’s description, last
known whereabouts, and pertinent information.
The alert calls go out to residence and business
phone numbers within a specified geographic
area. The message will also include an Arcadia
Police Department phone number for use by
anyone with information relating to the missing
person. To date, the efforts of A Child Is Missing
have been credited with more than 850 safe
assisted recoveries.
This program is a free service to law
enforcement. Arcadia Police Department officials
will evaluate each potential activation of the A
Child Is Missing Alert Program to ensure the
application is appropriate to the case and to ensure
the system is optimally used. Policies, procedures,
and employee training will also guide the most
efficient and effective use of this Alert Program.
Phone numbers that are called by this program
include listed numbers and mobile numbers
available to ACIM in the selected area. Mobile
numbers, unlisted numbers, broadband/voice-
over IP numbers, or TDD/TTY devices can be
added to ensure they, too, are called in the event
of an alert. To enter your cell phone, unlisted,
broadband/voice-over IP or TDD/TTY device
number visit www.achildismissing.org and click
on “add your name” to enter your name, number,
and address. This information will only be used
for emergency message alerts.
The City of Arcadia is home to many elderly
residents, including a half-dozen specialized
locations for retirement or assisted living. In
addition to enhancing our abilities on missing
children cases, the ACIM program also includes
at risk elderly. In the last five years, Arcadia Police
Officers have responded on about 400 calls for
service related to missing persons, including
both adult and children. The vast majority of
these calls are resolved rather quickly, but it is our
expectation that with the addition of the ACIM
services, in combination with other departmental
resources, our ability to resolve additional missing
person cases in a timely and safe manner will
increase.
The pool at Los Angeles County’s Arcadia Park circa 1940s; photo courtesy Arcadia Historical Society
Pool closed
The bad news is the pool at Arcadia Park will
not re-open this summer, or even next summer.
The good news is that an entirely new pool and
bathhouse will be built at the Los Angeles County
Park, with a ribbon cutting expected in time for a
grand opening in the summer of 2012.
Driver charged in
student’s death
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s
Office filed a felony vehicular manslaughter
charge today on the 19-yearold driver who hit and
killed 16-year-old Arcadia High School student
Alice Zhang as she crossed Duarte Road near
Baldwin Avenue with her friend.
Arcadia Police concluded that the accident
was preventable if the driver had cleaned his
windshield, which would have diminished the
glare of the setting sun.
According to police, on Sunday, April 10, at
about 6:40 p.m., Bowen Du, of Arcadia, was
driving a 1997 Lexus westbound in the 600 block
of Duarte Road when his vehicle struck two
teenage pedestrians, crossing the street in a mid-
block crosswalk.
Zhang was transported to Methodist Hospital
where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
The second victim, a 16 year old girl from Upland,
was seriously injured and transported by Arcadia
Fire Department Paramedics to a local hospital.
She was treated and released on a later date.
The Arcadia Police Department Major Accident
Investigation Team completed their investigation
in recent days and presented the case to the Los
Angeles District Attorney’s Office who filed one
felony count of vehicular manslaughter on Du. A
warrant in the amount of $50,000 was issued for
Du, and through his attorney, arrangements have
been made for Du to surrender to court.
Police investigators have ruled out excessive
speed, cell phone use, and intoxication on the
part of the driver. They also confirmed that all
crosswalk safety measures were in proper order
and functioning at the time of this collision,
with the exception of two in-ground LED lights.
Evidence at the time of collision was collected and
examined by Police Department personnel at the
scene. The driver’s windshield was excessively
dirty and results of our investigation revealed this
vision obstruction, combined with the setting
sun at the time of collision, played a major role in
the cause of the collision.
Interim Police Chief Robert Guthrie said
that many crosswalks within the City have
high-visibility signage and/or in-ground/sign-
mounted flashing warning lights. The crosswalk
at the scene of this collision was and is equipped
with both. The Police Department has also
conducted several pedestrian stings and directed
enforcement at this location and others along
Duarte Road in an effort to increase awareness
to safety and compliance with pedestrian related
laws, on the part of both drivers and pedestrians.
– By Scott Hettrick
Arcadia Police Blotter
For the period of Sunday, May 8, through Saturday,
May 14, the Police Department responded to 937 calls
for service of which 110 required formal investigations.
The following is a summary report of the major incidents
handled by the Department during this period.
Sunday, May 8:
Between 8:30 p.m. May 7th and 6:13 a.m. May 8th,
an auto burglary occurred in the 500 block of West
Huntington Drive. Unknown suspect(s) entered the
vehicle by smashing the rear driver’s side window.
The suspect(s) stole a GPS unit, for an approximate
loss of $250.
At about 8:30 p.m., while patrolling the area of
Huntington Drive East of Gate 3, an officer saw a
man stumbling in the roadway and contacted the
46-year-old White male. A records check revealed an
outstanding misdemeanor warrant with a listed bail
amount of $10,000. The subject was placed under arrest
for the warrant.
Monday, May 9:
3. At approximately 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched
to the 1600 block of Oakwood Avenue in
regards to a prowler. A minor at the home saw an
80’s model white van pull into the driveway. A Hispanic
male of unknown age, with a black bandana
over his face, exited the vehicle and approached the
side door of the residence. He did not enter the gate
because the family dog began to bark. The subject
then peered into the kitchen window and left the location.
A follow-up investigation is being conducted
by the Detective Bureau.
4. A traffic stop was conducted shortly after 11:00
p.m. on Baldwin Avenue at Huntington Drive. Using
the mobile computer in his unit, the officer conducted
a DMV/Warrant check of the vehicle’s license
plate, which revealed an outstanding warrant on the
plate. The officer contacted both the driver, a 27-year-
old Hispanic male and the passenger, a 28-year-old
Hispanic female. A records check of both subjects revealed
an outstanding misdemeanor warrant in the
amount of $30,000 for the male who was placed under
arrest. The female was released without incident.
Tuesday, May 10:
5. At about 8:40 a.m., officers responded to the 0
block of South Altura Road in regards to a dog fight.
An investigation revealed that two Pit-bulls attacked
and killed a Dachshund in his yard. The resident
heard the barking and attempted to separate the animals
in order to save her dog. As a result, the resident
was bit on the chin. Officers located the pit bulls in
the 600 block of Michillinda and Arcadia Animal
Control took them into custody.
6. A little after 1:30 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted
for failure to come to a complete stop at a
stop sign at Golden West Avenue and Fairview Avenue.
The officer contacted the driver, and while
speaking with him the driver revealed he was not
the owner of the vehicle and that he did not have
insurance. A check of the vehicle revealed a large
plastic bag of pills on the passenger’s side floorboard
identified by the driver as Ecstacy. A further check
of the trunk revealed an additional seven bags for a
total of over 7,000 pills. Both the 18-year-old Asian
male driver and the 17-year-old Asian male passenger
were placed under arrest for possession and
sales of a controlled substance.
Wednesday, May 11:
7. Around 3:00 p.m., personnel from Claire’s at the
Westfield Mall advised they had detained a 19-year-
old Hispanic female for theft. The suspect selected
merchandise and placed it on top of the baby stroller
she was pushing, which contained a 7 month old
child. She then exited the store failing to pay for
the merchandise. A records check of the suspect revealed
an outstanding traffic warrant. She was placed
under arrest for both the petty theft and the warrant.
The child was released to the care of her aunt.
8. Between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., an auto burglary
occurred in the 700 block of West Naomi Avenue.
Unknown suspect(s) entered the vehicle by
removing the lock on the driver’s side door. The
suspect(s) stole several bags, including a golf bag and
club set for an approximate loss of $1,210.
Thursday, May 12:
9. A little before 12:00 p.m., officers responded to
a theft report at Ralph’s, located at 16 East Live Oak
Avenue. Two suspects, one described as a Black or
Puerto Rican male adult and a White male adult were
reported stealing coffee and baby formula from the
store by placing the items in a black backpack they
had in their possession. The suspects also matched
the description of a previous theft from Albertson’s
at 298 East Live Oak. Officers checked the area and
located two subjects who matched the description at
a nearby bus stop. They were positively identified by
the store manager as the subjects seen stealing the
merchandise. Both the 36-year old Hispanic male
and the 29-year-old White male were placed under
arrest for commercial burglary. A record check also
revealed five outstanding misdemeanor warrants for
the Hispanic male.
10. At about 1:45 p.m., officers responded to Arcadia
High School located at 180 Campus Drive in
regards to a kidnapping investigation. While walking
home, on Santa Anita Avenue at Genoa Street, a
15-year-old Asian female was approached by a male
who convinced her to get into his car and assist him
with directions. The male drove the girl into West
Arcadia and then back to the area of Genoa Street
and First Avenue. After stopping the car, the male
suspect began rubbing the girl’s neck and shoulders
while asking her if she had a boyfriend. The suspect
then grabbed the girl’s breasts. The victim tried to
get out of the car, however the door was locked. The
victim persuaded the suspect to drive back toward
Santa Anita Avenue, but the suspect again stopped
the car and began similar advances toward the girl.
The victim was able to exit the car, but was grabbed
on the arm by the suspect. She pulled away and ran
off. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in
his 30’s driving a silver or gray 4-door Audi. A composite
was created and a special bulletin was issued.
A follow-up investigation is being conducted by the
Detective Bureau.
Friday, May 13:
11. A little before 4:00 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted
on a bicyclist for a Municipal Code violation.
Upon contacting the 41-year-old White male, it
was determined he was intoxicated. The subject was
placed under arrest for operating a bicycle under the
influence of alcohol, as well as operating a bicycle on
a sidewalk.
12. At about 5:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to
the 0 block of La Porte regarding a 4-year-old child
who was found wandering around alone. An investigation
revealed that the child lived in the nearby
apartment complex with his mother. The 39-year-old
female of unknown race had left the child alone in
the apartment while she went grocery shopping. She
returned while officers were conducting their investigation
at which time she was counseled about the
dangers of leaving a child of such young age alone.
The child was released to the custody of his mother
and a follow-up investigation is being conducted by
the Department of Child and Family Services.
Saturday, May 14:
13. A little after 2:00 a.m., officers responded to
the area of Foothill Boulevard and Wigham Avenue
in regards to a male banging doors in the neighborhood.
The 25-year-old Asian male was contacted by
officers. He was rambling, sweating and breathing
very hard. An investigation revealed the subject was
schizophrenic and had not taken his medication in
several days. He was determined to be a danger to
himself and taken into custody for a 72 hour mental
health evaluation. He was transported to Kaiser hospital
for the evaluation and treatment.
14. Around 3:30 p.m., loss prevention personnel
from JC Penney at the Westfield Mall, advised
they had detained three juveniles for theft. An investigation
revealed the suspects, along with two
other males and one female, had taken merchandise
from nine different stores within the Westfield Mall.
A private person’s arrest was made, three 16-year-
old Asian males, one 15-year-old Asian male, one
17-year-old Asian male and a 16-year-old female of
unknown race were arrested for commercial burglary
as well as possession of burglary tools. They
were later released into the custody of their parents.
Summer 2011 Registration!
The Recreation and Community Services
Department’s Summer Registration is underway.
Registration is now open to ALL, residents and
non-residents. Sign up now for our Outdoor
Adventure Camp and Swim lessons along with a
variety of other classes and activities. The always
popular dance, sports, exercise and enrichment
programs are available. Several new classes have
been added this season including Mad Science
Summer Camp, Kiddie Tech classes and the Brit-
West Soccer Camp for youth. Try something new
this summer or sign up for your old favorites.
Hurry the Outdoor Adventure Camp, activities
and swim lessons are filling up fast.
For class information, registration forms
and to register on-line, go to the City’s website
at www.ci.arcadia.ca.us under Recreation and
Community Services Department. Registration
is also being accepted by walk-in, fax and
mail. We are located at 375 Campus Drive, fax
626.821.4370. For questions, please contact the
Recreation Department at 626.574.5113.
City of Arcadia 2011
Summer Swim Program
The City of Arcadia Recreation & Community Services Department
will begin the summer swim program on Saturday,
June 11 at the Arcadia High School Pool, located at 180 Campus
Drive in Arcadia. The pool will open at 1pm and close at 5pm.
Swim lessons for Session One will begin on Monday, June
13th. Online registration is now underway by logging onto
“http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us” www.ci.arcadia.ca.us
Walk-in registration for Session I begins Monday, May 9th
at the Recreation Department, located at 375 Campus Drive.
For more information regarding swim classes and the online
and walk-in registration dates for Sessions 2-5, please call
626.574.5113.
Sunday May 22, 2011 10 am – 1 pm
BARK FOR LIFE – A Canine Event to Fight Cancer
The American Cancer Society Bark for Life is a noncompetitive
walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds for the
American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Bark for Life is
directly related to Arcadia’s Relay for Life and shares the theme,
“Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.” So bring your best canine
friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and
continuing with de
By supporting Bark for Life, you help the American Cancer
Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate
goal of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
WHERE: Arcadia Dog Park (Eisenhower Park) located on the
corner of Colorado Boulevard and Second Avenue
WHO: All dog owners and (and lovers) and the American
Cancer Society Relay for Life & the City of Arcadia’s Recreation
and Community Services Department
Registration begins at 9:15am
Opening Ceremonies start at 10:00am
For information and to register visit the website at www.
relayforlife.org/barkarcadiaca
Recreation and Community
Services Department
BARK FOR LIFE!
50% off 2 months rent
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