Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 14, 2012

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Mountain Views News Saturday, April 14, 2012 

Mountain Views News Saturday, April 14, 2012

CRACKING DOWN ON TOBACCO SALES TO 
MINORS

Last year, during a Youth Tobacco Purchase Survey in Duarte, three of the 23 local 
tobacco retailers were willing to sell cigarettes to minors under 18 years old. The City of 
Duarte can and should address this problem to protect the health of its children. 

The American Lung Association in California (ALAC) recently released the 2012 State of 
Tobacco Control grades for cities throughout California. Duarte has not updated its tobacco 
control laws since 1995 and again, received an “F”, according to the ALAC methodology. 
Reducing youth access to tobacco sales is a major concern. Many jurisdictions in California 
(86 in Los Angeles County) have addressed this concern by adopting local tobacco retailer 
licensing programs. A tobacco retail licensing (TRL) program is neither a punishment for 
tobacco retailers nor a duplication of tobacco laws that already exist. Rather, local TRL’s 
and enforcement have been proven to be the most effective policy at reducing illegal tobacco 
sales to minors by merchants.

There are state laws on the books that make it illegal to sell tobacco products to minors; 
however, retailers continue to sell tobacco to kids at alarming rates. The statewide STAKE 
ACT (Stop Tobacco Access to Kids) enforcement program is under funded. The STAKE ACT 
program conducts compliance checks at only 8 percent of the estimated tobacco retailers 
in California each year. The great majority of tobacco retailers encounter no enforcement 
when it comes to laws prohibiting illegal sales to youth, yet enforcement has shown to be the 
most significant factor in changing retailer behavior. 

From the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service in a report to Congress: 

 

“Studies indicate that retailer compliance is higher when there is active enforcement of youth 
access laws (i.e., unannounced compliance checks, and penalties for retailers caught selling to 
minors). Studies conducted in California and New York reported that enforcement led 
to significant reductions in sales to minors whereas education alone decreased sales only 
somewhat.” 

Keeping tobacco out of the hands of our children is a responsibility of local stores and 
shops that sell tobacco. Right now in Duarte, children are buying cigarettes from retailers, 
and it’s time for that to stop. As a community, we must do all we can to help prevent future 
generations from getting addicted to tobacco and suffering from tobacco-related disease.

For more information, contact: Guadulesa Rivera, Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Community Services, Tobacco Control Program at GuadulE1@ah.org

This Week In Monrovia

FIRE DEPARTMENT'S NEW MEDICAL PROCEDURE

The Monrovia Fire Department received approval from the Los Angeles County Emergency 
Medical Services Agency (EMSA) to begin the delivery of Continuous Positive 
Airway Pressure (CPAP), a medical procedure for patients suffering moderate to severe 
respiratory distress. This approval allows the department to purchase new equipment and 
provide a higher level of care to specific patients. 

This new procedure has been shown to have a dramatic positive impact on survivability 
and recovery of patients suffering asthma attacks, congestive heart failure and other respiratory 
ailments. Each Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician has been taught 
the signs and symptoms of patients that meet CPAP and specialized equipment has been 
ordered that will be carried on all of the Paramedic units. 

By the end of this month it is expected that the Fire Department will be ready to use 
CPAP for all patients having moderate to severe trouble breathing. Given this approved 
medical protocol, we anticipate improvements to the exceptional level of care rendered by 
the Monrovia Paramedics.


MONROVIA CIVIC CALENDAR

Sunday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. Smart Gardening Workshop, Recreation Park

Friday, April 27, 5-9 pm Chamber Business Showcase, 700 Block of Myrtle Avenue

Sunday, April 29, 2 p.m. Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Old Town

Tuesday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting

Teen volunteers who participated in the Youth Tobacco Purchase Survey

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY’S LARGEST CINCO DE MAYO 
THE MONROVIA CINCO DE MAYO CULTURAL ART 
AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 

-Sunday, April 29 in Old Town Monrovia -

The Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Association will host its signature event, Monrovia Cinco de Mayo 
Cultural Art and Music Festival Sunday, April 29 from 12 pm until 9 pm on Myrtle Avenue in Old 
Town Monrovia. This free, all-ages Old Town street festival features musical performances from 
popular local and international artists, a children’s area, over 100 booths featuring local artists, a 
canned food drive benefiting the Foothill Unity Center, and more. 

Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the second year celebration. Monrovia will join over 100 
US cities celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla. 

The all-day festival kicks-off with ballet Folklorico and traditional Oaxacan calenda dance performances. 
Followed by musical renderings by La Santa Cecilia, whose unique sound blends Pan-
American rhythms like cumbia, bossa nova, rumba, and tango with modern rock and jazz. The 
fiesta continues at the children’s stage where circus clowns, a bubble and exotic animal show and 
more await kids partaking in the festivities. Attendees will also be treated to Monrovia’s own Delgado 
Brothers performing their Latin infused blues and have the opportunity to savor many flavors 
of Mexican cuisine from local area favorite, Rudy’s Mexican Food as well as other delicious cuisine 
from participating restaurants. 

The cultural and arts festival will also include performances from Juan Carlos Quintero, Los Dominantes 
and Potro Norteno. The celebration will culminate with a very special performance from 
ranchera Mexican crooner Hector Dominguez and Los Caporales de Santos Beccerra belting out 
heartfelt ballads and classics. 

“The Monrovia Cinco De Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival in 2011 began as a way to showcase 
local talent, build community, and celebrate the many historic contributions Mexican Americans 
and all Hispanics have made to this great country. I am thrilled at the amazing response the event 
garnered last year and am excited to continue and expand this wonderful cultural celebration," said 
Rutilio Castrellon, President of the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Association.

In addition, the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival will involve a philanthropic 
aspect to the celebration. With the events strong ties to the community a can food drive will 
take place at the event to benefit the Foothill Unity Center. The Foothill Unity Center provides food, 
crisis assistance and access to health care resources to San Gabriel Valley families. All services are 
free. Last year, the Foothill Unity Center helped over 12,000 families. 

The public is encouraged to bring canned foods to the event. The goal is to collect over 5,000 
canned goods and non-perishable food items at the event. 

 The second year, Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Art and Music Festival is a high-spirited affair 
that celebrates community, music, and philanthropy. The focus of Monrovia’s Cinco de Mayo 
Celebration is to bring the community together for a fun-filled, family event while celebrating the 
beauty and rich-history of the city. 

 For more information on the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Cultural Arts and Music Festival, please 
visit www.monrovia5demayo.org. 

Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 430 service events, resulting in 76 
investigations. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to http://www.crimemapping.com/
map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping. For Police Department news and information, visit our website 
at www.monroviapd.org and follow us on twitter for police notifications. 

Robbery

April 5 at 2:14 p.m., a robbery was reported in the 1600 block of South Mountain. A female victim 
went to a business parking lot to meet a subject she contacted on Craigslist. The victim was purchasing 
a brand new iPhone from the suspect. The suspect approached the victim, who was standing 
outside her vehicle, and handed her a box. As she inspected the box, the suspect grabbed her money 
from the front pocket of her sweatshirt, and the force caused her to fall backwards. The suspect fled 
with the money, running north towards Evergreen. He was described as a male White, 30 years old, 
6’0”, 180 pounds, black spiked hair, wearing a grey sweatshirt. Investigation continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

April 5 at 5:42 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Mountain reported that someone had broken into 
their home. The suspect entered the location through a front window and ransacked the home, taking 
jewelry, a safe, and other miscellaneous items. A neighbor saw a possible suspect on the property. The 
suspect is described as a male Hispanic or Filipino, 25 years old, 5’5”, thin build, wearing glasses, a tan 
sweater and blue jeans. The suspect was driving a white, 2 door, older model Acura, with pink primer 
around the doors and a black paper license plate with the word “power” written on it. Investigation 
continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 5 at 5:54 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of South Canyon. The victim 
parked her vehicle on the street at 7:30 p.m. and returned to her vehicle the next morning at 9:00 a.m. 
There were no signs of forced entry, and the victim did not realize a seat was missing from the vehicle 
until 5:00 p.m. that day. She then reported the burglary to police. Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

April 6 at 10:48 a.m., a vehicle was reported burglarized in the 1800 block of Sixth Avenue. The vehicle 
was parked in the street in front of a residence at 1:00 a.m. and locked. The victim returned to 
vehicle 10:30 a.m. and found the passenger door unlocked. The glove compartment was ransacked 
and her purse was taken from the trunk. The investigation is continuing.

 

Brandishing a Handgun in a Threatening Manner - Suspects Arrested

April 8 at 7:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Los Angeles Street 
regarding a suspect that drove by in a black Nissan Altima, brandishing a handgun in a threatening 
manner. The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was monitoring the radio frequency and located 
the suspect vehicle. The helicopter directed responding units to the vehicle and it was stopped at Ivy 
and Cypress. The victim positively identified the vehicle and the driver, as the suspect, but she did not 
desire prosecution. The vehicle was searched, but the gun was not located. The driver was unlicensed 
and did not have valid identification. He was arrested and later released upon verifying his identity. A 
passenger was arrested for violation of Monrovia’s gang injunction and was taken into custody. Two 
other occupants in the vehicle were identified and released.

Grand Theft Auto

April 11 at 3:12 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the driveway of a residence in the 1700 block 
of Encino. The incident occurred sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. The vehicle is a burgundy, 
four-door,1993 Toyota Camry. Investigation continuing.

Possession of Narcotics / Burglary Tools - Suspect Arrested

April 12 at 3:53 a.m., an officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the area of Eighth and Duarte. The 
vehicle made some evasive moves and then suddenly stopped on Tenth, south of Duarte. The driver 
jumped out of the vehicle and threw something, which was later found to be methamphetamine. The 
suspect was detained and a search of the vehicle revealed burglary tools and a sack of pistol ammunition. 
The suspect, a known gang member, was arrested without further incident.