Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 19, 2012

7

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, May 19, 2012 

A MEGA MEETING IN 
MONROVIA

By Joan Schmidt

 

 The Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Town Council’s May 
Meeting was nothing short of a MEGA MEETING! What 
speakers it had and much info given!

 The different location at Plymouth School was the 
brainchild of the Council Member, Terrence Williams. The 
Town Council has a close alliance with the City of Duarte 
as a result of Pamela Park meetings and events. Council 
Members John Niccoloro and Linda Sells of Arcadia attend 
the monthly Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Government 
Forum meeting keeping the Council abreast of Arcadia 
happenings and reports from local officials. But Mr. Williams 
wanted to involve Monrovia because it is also our neighbor.

 Mr. Williams has bemoaned the low attendance at 
Town Council Meetings. Members Dave Hall and Yvonne 
Bullock pointed out when there are issues, there is a very 
high attendance. As a reporter covering three cities, I can 
reiterate this. However in the unincorporated areas, there is 
no city hall to call. Residents NEED to come to Town Council 
Meetings and hear the reports from The Sheriff’s, CHP, Parks 
/Recreation Department, Probation Department, Supervisor 
Antonovich’s Office, L.A. County Libraries and more.

 The Mega Meeting began with Deputy Ramirez report 
on current crimes. Most prevalent are property thefts and 
vehicular burglaries.

 Captain Nee from Temple Sheriff’s Station spoke next. 
He said the only way to fight crime is with the community’s 
help. “Be nosy neighbors. Call up the station (285-7171) to 
report ANYTHING suspicious. Don’t leave valuables in your 
car in full view such as GPS, lap tops, cell phones, purses, etc.”

 Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt spoke of their terrific 
working relationship with the Sheriff’s Department. For 
twenty years, the DAMAGE Program (Against gangs) has 
been going on. It’s a mutual aid agreement with LASD. In 
each car, are one Monrovia gang officer and a gang deputy. 
“We share intelligence, we are aware of crime trends.”

 Chief Hunt also reiterated what Captain Nee said about 
NEIGHBORS BEING ALERT AND CALLING ANYTHING 
SUSPICIOUS. Please DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOORS to 
people pretending to be from utility companies. This also 
happened in the City of Arcadia after the wind storms.

 Representing Monrovia Fire Department were Fire 
Chief Chris Donovan, Battalion Chief Ryan Phillips and 
Fire Fighter Michael Bailey. Chief Donovan said that their 
department has thirteen personnel on duty. Their response 
time for fire is seven minutes and medical is five minutes. He 
also spoke of the Mutual Aid Agreement between the various 
City Departments and Los Angeles County Fire Department. 
At the recent apartment fire on Encino Avenue in Monrovia, 
there were four engines and two ladder trucks that responded. 
Fighting the blaze were twenty seven members of Monrovia, 
Arcadia, and L.A. County Fire Departments!

 Firefighter Michael Bailey spoke about their Emergency 
Preparedness Program. They do mandated training for City 
Staff. There is a new program for disabled people. Who 
looks after them if there’s a loss of power? Besides the CERT 
Program, there are also BERT (Business) and SERT (School 
District) Programs. (626)256-8181

 Officer Brian Axt ,(626) 338-1164, represented the California 
Highway Patrol. In county areas, they are responsible for 
traffic. Please call him if there are any problems in your area.

 
Kevin Perris, Probation Officer in Duarte spoke of his role, 
working with the Sheriff’s and trying to reach youths. There 
are several After School Programs. One is teaching them how 
to make their own movies. He also teaches Parenting and a 
Cooking class at Pamela Park. (626) 357-1619 There was 
mention of the successful Parks after Dark Program begun 
last year and the great drop in crimes.

 Also attending were Brian Mejia from Supervisor 
Antonovich’s Office. Don’t miss the 15th Annual Veterans 
Fair, Saturday, May 26th 10AM-3PM at Arcadia County 
Park, 405 South Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia. 

 The final speakers were Vincent Holmes CEO for LA 
County Safety and Live Oak Librarian. The next Council 
Meeting: Annunciation Parish Hall, June 19th, 7pm.


Monrovia Police Blotter

From Monrovia’s City Manager:

Development 
Spotlight: 

SANTA TERESITA

 

The "Rose Gardens at Santa Teresita" 
(RGST) Specific Plan was approved last 
year encompassing 12 acres of land (2.7 
acres in Monrovia and 9.3 acres in Duarte) 
that is currently the Santa Teresita 
Hospital property. The RGST Specific 
Plan provides a land use plan, development 
regulations, and design guidelines to facilitate the development of skilled nursing 
facilities as well as assisted living and independent living units in a campus type setting for 
seniors. Development will be in four phases and the first phase is underway which includes 
a 22-unit assisted living facility that is under construction in Monrovia. The developer anticipates 
completion of this first building in late July.


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 482 service events, resulting in 90 
investigations. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to our crime mapping page. For Police 
Department news and information, visit our website at www.monroviapd.org and follow us on twitter 
for police notifications. Highlighted Activity for the week of May 10-16, 2012:

Petty Theft / Possession of Methamphetamine / Suspect Arrested

On May 10 at 3:51 p.m., an officer responded to the 1600 Block of South Mountain regarding a 
suspect detained for theft. The suspect had entered the store with the intent to purchase items but 
determined they were too expensive. The suspect had the ability to pay for the items. A search of the 
suspect's wallet revealed a usable amount of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested for petty 
theft and possession of methamphetamine. 

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested

On May 10 at 7:39 p.m., officers responded to 1800 block of Eighth Avenue, regarding a family disturbance. 
When officers arrived, they found the victim, the father, and two children waiting outside 
the residence. Through the investigation, it was determined that the wife was the primary aggressor 
and was arrested. An emergency protective order was requested by the father. The wife was arrested 
for domestic violence.

Petty Theft with Priors / Parole Hold / Suspect Arrested

On May 10 at 10:06 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a suspect 
in custody for shoplifting. A computer check revealed the suspect had three or more prior petty 
theft arrests and was on parole. The suspect was arrested for petty theft with priors and a parole hold 
was obtained.

Failure of Yield / Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

On May 10 at 10:28 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle weaving. He attempted a traffic stop, but the 
driver failed to yield and continued on. The driver went north on Grand to Sierra Vista where he 
pulled over just shy of his residence. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence 
and failure to yield.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 11 at 8:48 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 600 block of East Colorado. The victim 
had parked his vehicle, a red, 2005 Honda in front of his residence. The following morning he discovered 
the vehicle missing. Investigation continuing.

Critical Missing

On May 11 at 12:30 p.m., a report was received regarding a missing juvenile who was seen on a bus in 
Monrovia. Officers conducted an investigation and determined that the missing juvenile returned to 
her mother's home in Los Angeles. Officers were able to confirm with Department of Children and 
Family Services that the juvenile was safe and in her mother's custody.

Residential Burglary

On May 11 at 2:47 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 600 block of West Walnut sometime 
between 7 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. When the victim returned they found the screen off of the front 
window. A lap top computer, TV and other electronics were stolen. Investigation continuing.

Strong Arm Robbery

On May 11 at 7:59 p.m., officers responded to 600 block of West Huntington, regarding a robbery. 
The victim, a customer, was sitting at a table using his laptop and had his black, iphone on the table. 
The suspect entered the store, looked around as if he was going to buy coffee. He walked behind the 
victim, pushed the victim's head down onto the table with one hand while he grabbed the iphone with 
the other hand. The suspect then walked out and fled on foot. The suspect is described as a male, 
black, early 20's, 6'3", medium build, light complexion wearing an over sized T-shirt, white pants, and 
had corn roll hair style. Investigation continuing.

Arson

On May 12 at 7:44 p.m., an officer responded to the 900 block of East Lemon to investigate a fire at 
the school. The door of classroom 13 was on fire. Apparently a school banner was suspended in 
the air, above classroom 13. As the banner burned to the ground, it caught the classroom door on 
fire. The fire was extinguished immediately and structure damage was minimal. The investigation is 
continuing.

Possession of Controlled Substance

On May 13 at 12:35 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a lighting equipment violation. A subsequent 
investigation revealed marijuana and several ecstasy pills inside of the locked glove box. Both 
suspects were arrested.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 13 at 10:34 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen in the 400 South Magnolia. The victim parked 
his vehicle in front of his house. The vehicle is a 2000, Honda, Civic. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 13 at 4:42 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of Kruse regarding a stolen vehicle. The 
victim parked his vehicle on the street in front of his house. The vehicle was a 2008 black GMC truck. 
The keys were not accounted for. Investigation continuing.

Theft / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspects Arrested

On May 13 at 12:56 p.m., Arcadia Police Officers interrupted a theft in progress occurring at 3000 
block of Peck Road. Arcadia Police officers detained two suspects pending Monrovia Police Department's 
arrival, as the theft occurred in Monrovia's jurisdiction. An officer handled the investigation 
and discovered the suspects jumped over the wall at a facility and stole boat parts. The suspect's pick 
up truck was also loaded with other property suspected to be stolen from other locations. Officers 
took custody of the suspects. Investigation continuing.

CITY OF DUARTE TO LAUNCH SEMI 
MONTHLY ENEWS

DUARTE, CA, May 16, 2012 – Duarte residents, business members and others who would 
like to have another way to keep up to date on the latest news from the City of Duarte can 
subscribe to a free, semi monthly enews set to launch on Friday, June 8. The newsletter, 
to be delivered directly to homes and offices via email, will include the latest City news 
stories and links to the City of Duarte website, www.accessduarte.com, and CityofDuarte 
on twitter.

 “Our new, semi-monthly enews is another way we’re working to help keep our 
residents and business people aware and informed about City issues, activities and events 
in both a cost-effective and green manner,” said Deputy City Manager, Karen Herrera. 
In addition to accessduarte.com and twitter, Duarte also produces a quarterly hard copy 
“Community News/Public Safety News” communiqué to residents, publishes City news in 
the bi-monthly Duarte Chamber publication, Duarte View; distributes City news to local 
newspapers, and offers video coverage of City Council meetings on Duarte Public Access 
(DCTV) carried on Charter Cable Channel 3 in Duarte. Video coverage of Duarte City 
Council meetings can also be viewed on-demand on DCTV on the Web, www.dctvduarte.
com. 

 To be added to the enews email list, go to www.accessduarte.com and click on the 
enews sign up on the home page, or call Karen Herrera at (626) 357-7931, ext. 221.