Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 12, 2012

7

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, May 12, 2012 

From Monrovia’s City Manager

DUARTE RELAY FOR LIFE SET FOR JUNE 9TH

 Cancer never sleeps and neither will participants of the 24-hour long Relay for Life event 
to be hosted by the City of Duarte and the American Cancer Society on June 9 and June 10 
on the campus of Northview Middle School, 1401 Highland Ave.

 Participants of the 3rd Annual Duarte Relay for Life will honor cancer survivors and 
pay tribute to lives lost by the disease while striving to raise $50,000 to help fight cancer in 
the community. Mayor John Fasana will kick off the event, hosting opening ceremonies at 
9 a.m. on June 9, while Mayor Pro-Tem Liz Reilly will preside over the closing ceremony at 
9 a.m. the next morning. 

 Last year more than 20 teams participated raising more than $30,000 for the fight 
against cancer. Event Chair, Katherine Whatley, a Duarte Walmart employee, said she is 
expecting another record year.

 “We are so excited to be working with so many groups in the community again. I’m 
sure we will have even more participation and exceed our goals once again.”

 This year’s theme, “Mardi Gras,” will provide the teams with lots of inspiration 
for creative décor and activities throughout the Relay. Teams will maintain a 24-hour 
community presence, camping out overnight on the field at Northview Middle School. 
The event will feature food, games, tributes and fellowship. Every penny earned will go 
toward cancer research. The City of Duarte itself is sponsoring a youth team consisting 
of representatives from Duarte’s Promise —The Alliance for Youth, Northview’s Cardinals 
Helping Youth Live Life (C.H.Y.L.L.) and Duarte Area Resource Team (D.A.R.T.), who are 
gathering donations by selling “Feet” and Luminaries which represent people who have 
been diagnosed, died, or have beaten cancer.

 The Relay for Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in 
Tacoma, Washington ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the 
American Cancer Society. Since then, the Relay has grown from a single man’s passion into 
the world’s largest movement to end cancer. 

 For more information about how to start a team, join a team or volunteer, visit www.
relayforlife.org/duarteca, or call Katherine Whatley at (626) 404-3537.

REVVING UP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

It’s a question we get asked often… Redevelopment ended, now what? Rest assured, the end 
of Redevelopment in Monrovia does not mean the end of Economic Development- we still 
have plenty of tools left in the toolbox. While Redevelopment funding is gone- it’s gone for 
everyone throughout the state of California. That puts our City at a great advantage because 
one of Monrovia’s greatest strengths is our penchant for productive relationships, and those 
relationships will hold the key to successful economic development. 

Over the past few weeks, our Economic Development staff has started conducting business 
visitations with local Monrovia businesses. The goal? To learn what business are looking 
for, what they need, and how the City can help. Even if the businesses are not currently in a 
drastic situation, these visits allow them to meet the Staff they may call down the road when 
something does come up.

The City of Monrovia represents the largest area of economic potential along the Metro Gold 
Line Foothill Extension due to the vast area of land slated for development. Establishing a 
strong economic development push now is essential in capitalizing on our potential once 
that train starts coming down the tracks.

If you have question or comments about our Economic Development programs, please contact 
Darlene Sanchez at (626) 303-6604 or by email at dsanchez@ci.monrovia.ca.us

Monrovia Police Blotter

HIGHLIGHTED ACTIVITY FOR THE WEEKDAYS OF MAY 7-9, 2012

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 435 service events, resulting 
in 93 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.

 

Vehicle Burglary

May 8 at 4:20 a.m., dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a cell phone. When the dispatcher 
answered, she could hear an open line with suspicious background noises. The noises varied 
from the sound of something being dragged, to papers being shuffled through, to a door 
chime from a vehicle. The dispatcher used GPS to plot the location of the cell phone to the 
500 block of King Street. Officers responded to the area and located a female subject hiding 
in a vehicle. She had stolen property from at least three different vehicles in her possession, 
two of which were locked. It appears the suspect accidentally dialed 9-1-1 while she was 
burglarizing cars. Investigation continuing.

 

Injury Traffic Collision - Vehicle vs. Pedestrian

May 7 at 12:50 p.m., officers responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian 
in the area of Ivy and Walnut. When officers arrived, they found a subject in the street 
who had been riding a motorized scooter. The subject was riding east on Walnut and failed 
to stop for the stop sign at the intersection. He was struck by a motorist traveling south on 
Ivy. The subject suffered a deep laceration to his left leg, but was responsive and appeared to 
be okay. He was taken to an area hospital to treat his injury.

 

Commercial Burglary

May 9 at 5:00 p.m., two male Armenian suspects, one in his 20's and the other in his 40's, 
stole $500.00 worth of wire from the Home Depot. An employee obtained a vehicle description 
and license plate number. Investigation continuing

 

Critical Missing Person

May 9 at 8:06 p.m., a 12-year-old girl was reported missing from her foster home in the 
500 block of East Walnut. Earlier that day, she was caught stealing money from another 
foster child. She said she did not want to live at the location and apparently ran away. She 
is not from the area and has no connection to anyone locally. Patrol and Special Enforcement 
Team officers conducted an extensive search. Officers went door-to-door attempting 
to locate the missing girl or witnesses, but the subject was not located. She was entered as a 
missing person in the computer system and a teletype was sent to notify surrounding agencies. 
During the investigation, it was learned that the missing girl had been entered into the 
system as a runaway from a group home and has an outstanding protective custody warrant. 
Investigation continuing.

 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle

May 10 at 12:28 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Hacienda reported that a male subject 
parked a vehicle in front of her house, left the door open and ran northbound down the 
street. Minutes prior to the resident's call, Sheriff's deputies were in pursuit of a similar 
vehicle, which had been stolen the City of Rialto. The deputies lost the vehicle in the area of 
Evergreen and Buena Vista. Officers responded to the location on Hacienda and searched 
the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. The vehicle was confirmed to be stolen. Investigation 
continuing.

 

 Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up

 

A case of child molestation was brought to the attention of the Monrovia Police Department 
Detective Bureau and an investigation was launched. The child molester in this case started 
molesting his 15-year-old second cousin many years ago. The suspect was arrested, charged 
and convicted for the ongoing molestation, and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 
April of 2010. 

The suspect in this case was released in early 2012, and he reestablished a relationship with 
the victim. The victim is now over the age of 18, but the suspect was specifically ordered by 
the judge in this case to not contact the victim when he was released. Monrovia Police Detectives 
went to a location in the City of El Monte and arrested the suspect for violation of 
court order. He was brought before the judge and sentenced to 3 years in State Prison. 

 Tip of the Week

 

VEHICLE BURGLARY PREVENTION

Thieves look for easy and inviting targets when it comes to selecting a vehicle to burglarize 
or steal from. It is up to you to make every effort to prevent your car from being targeted. 
Here are some basic tips that will make your vehicle a little less inviting to a thief:

 

Most importantly - LOCK your vehicle!

 

Always park in well-lighted areas.

 

Install motion lights in your driveway. 

Install and use a vehicle alarm.

 

DO NOT leave valuables in plain view.

 

Leave all items of value at home if possible.

 

Look around when you park. Notice anyone or anything suspicious? Write down license 
plates and descriptions. Alert on-site security or staff and call the police.

 

Many auto burglaries or thefts from cars occur right in a residential driveway, and too 
often it is because the vehicle was never locked. Suspects will often target cars that are 
left unlocked, walking up and down a street trying car doors all the way. Take the time to 
secure your vehicle. 

Other thieves target victims by watching what is placed inside a trunk or hatch. If you plan 
on stopping by the gym, park, or elsewhere after work, take the time before you leave to 
place your belongings safely in the trunk. Don't wait until you park to then transfer your 
laptop, purse, bag, or briefcase to the trunk. Thieves may be watching and targeting your 
car. 

These are just a few tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of vehicle burglary. 
Be proactive, look around, and most importantly, don't hesitate to call the police if you see 
something or someone suspicious.


TRIM SMARTER, NOT HARDER

 

The Monrovia Fire Department is offering FREE brush consultations!

Fire zone residents are beginning their defensible space work, in preparation for brush inspections 
to begin later this month. Some residents have taken advantage of our offer of pre-
work consultations. These are free and confidential and they are designed to help you “trim 
smarter, not harder” so that you can accomplish the following goals:

Comply with Monrovia’s fire safety code 

Prepare for brush inspection 

Protect your Home Ignition Zone, minimizing your risk of loss in a wildfire 

Reduce disposal costs and effort 

As a bonus, possibly reduce your environmental impact on water supply, soil and habitat 

You can schedule a consultation by calling (626) 256-8109 or emailing rwing@ci.monrovia.
ca.us.