Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 22, 2012

MONROVIA NEWS By Joan Schmidt

 September Monrovia City Council Meetings brought approval of purchases and grants, and 
presentation of three special reports.

 At the September 4 Meeting, the purchase of three Ford Crown Victoria Replacement Police 
Patrol Fleet Vehicles from Wondries Fleet Group for $74,965.80 and installation/transfer of existing 
emergency equipment by Communication Center in the amount of $10,896.27 were approved. The 
City Council also voted to accept 2009 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) in the 
amount of $59,000 for the purchase of 9 Motorola Dual Band Portable Radios and also the California 
Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant Program Funds in the amount of $54,760. Kudos to the Monrovia 
City Council for its foresight to utilize available funding, thus providing the Police Department with 
the best tools to carry out their mission of public safety.

 At the September 18 Meeting, Mayor Mary Ann Lutz announced the appointment of Jenny 
Wong to fill the unexpired term of Community Services Commissioner Jeffrey Johnson ending 
June 30, 2013. Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia gave a report on the League of California Cities Annual 
Conference held in San Diego, September 5-7, 2012. All Council Members attended different sessions. 
Much information was given and shared by various cities and Council Members came home with a lot 
of good ideas.

 Heather Maloney’s presentation was an Administrative Draft Energy Action Plan, targeting 
AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act, dealing with air pollution: green gasses. This bill 
requires the state board to adopt a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit equivalent to the statewide 
greenhouse gas emissions levels in 1990 to be achieved by 2020 as specified. (On line, there is a detailed 
explanation of the bill-13 pages! Some important highlights include the threat that global warming has 
on the economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and the environment of California. There 
is also mention of its detrimental effects on some of California’s largest industries including agriculture, 
wine, tourism, skiing and recreational and commercial fishing, and forestry. It also will increase the 
strain on electricity supplies necessary to meet the demand for summer air-conditioning in the hottest 
parts of the state.) Ms. Mahoney used a pie graph which showed how Monrovia fared in relation to 
neighboring cities-Monrovia was lower, and has saved some 956,270 KWH since 2004. She also spoke 
of a grant with Southern California Edison to assist the City in their plan. 

 The next presentation was the Economic Development Action Plan Update: Old Town Business 
Visitation Program by Jennifer McLain. Ms. McLain said there are 35 vacancies-that is 13%. The City 
will conduct both parking and business surveys. There will also be a phone survey where answers 
can be texted in. Flyers will be posted around town to explain this. An Old Town Visitation Program 
will commence on September 19. Over a three month period, 200 business members will be visited. 
The visits will last from 10-15 minutes- in a 2 hour time frame and members of the City Council will 
participate.

 A mid-year report on AR-3 Gang Injunction was presented by Police Chief Jim Hunt. He first 
said there have been no complaints against the injunction. There has been a reduction in gang crime 
and violence. He mentioned that Monrovia Police Department works with the Sheriff’s Department in 
the unincorporated areas and that has been beneficial to both. A question was posed and Chief Hunt 
gave a short history of how their DAMAGE program had addressed gang issues. There has been an 
increase in Police Chaplains who work with at-risk youth and the school district MAGIC program is 
working with sixteen families. Both of these factors have helped reduce gang crime.

 Chief Hunt feels “Injunction is a great tool for our officers.” Currently 9-10 have been trained 
for the Program. Typically THE SET Team, which has three members, works in the program. Officers 
participate in the SET program for three years. When they leave the Program and are on Patrol, 
they still can assist with injunctions. Chief Hunt of course also mentioned the prison realignment of 
10,000 to Los Angeles County of whom many are gang members. This causes potential for more crime 
and violence. But with the Injunctions and the two above- mentioned programs, we can hope for a 
continued reduction in crime/violence.


DRUG TAKE-BACK EVENT

 

On September 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Monrovia Police Department and the Drug Enforcement 
Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by 
ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 
Bring your medications for disposal to the Monrovia Community Center at 119 W. Palm Avenue, 
Monrovia, CA 91016. The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

During the previous four take-back events, 774 tons of prescription drugs were collected nationwide, 
of which more than 58 thousand pounds were collected in the greater Los Angeles area, alone.

For additional information, please contact Sergeant Glen Coleman at (626) 256-8020

MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of September 17-19, 2012

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 488 service events, resulting in 83 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 http://
www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city-government/departments/police-department-homepage and follow us on 
Twitter for police notifications.

 

Medical Assist

September 19 at 1:39 a.m., police received a call reporting a man not breathing at a residence in the 
800 block of West Walnut. Officers responded and found a 50-year-old man unconscious. They administered 
four shocks from an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and performed CPR until 
they were relieved by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics. The victim was taken to a hospital for 
further treatment.

 

Grand Theft Auto Recovered

September 19 at 3:07 p.m., a stolen vehicle was located in the backyard of a residence in the 100 
block of East Los Angeles Street. The vehicle had been previously repossessed from the location. The 
repossession company in Los Angeles discovered the vehicle was missing from their lot and reported 
in stolen to the Los Angeles Police Department. The vehicle was discovered in the backyard of the 
residence, exactly where it had been repossessed from a few days prior. The vehicle was recovered and 
returned to the repossession company. Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

September 19 at 9:50 p.m., a vehicle burglary occurred in the 200 block of Grand. Witnesses saw two 
suspects ransacking the victim's truck, which was parked on the street. Tools were stolen from the 
vehicle. The victim reported that the vehicle was locked. The suspects gained entry by an unknown 
means. Suspect #1 is described as a male Hispanic, 20 to 30 years old, 5'9" to 6'0" tall, dark hair, a tattoo 
on the left side of his neck, wearing a gray shirt and dark pants. Suspect #2 is described as a male 
Hispanic, 20 to 30 years old, 5'6" tall, wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark pants. The suspects fled in a 
small vehicle with round tail lights. Investigation continuing.

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

 

Attempted Murder Case Update

Detectives investigated a shooting that occurred on September 15 involving three suspects. The suspects 
fired two or three shots at a male and female sitting on the porch of a residence in the 100 block 
of East Los Angeles Street. The female was hit in the torso and upper right leg by what appears to be 
bird shot from a shotgun. A van matching the suspect vehicle description was seen entering the 210 
Freeway and was followed and stopped by police on the 605 Freeway. The van was positively identified 
as the suspect vehicle and the three suspects inside were arrested. The female victim is in stable 
condition. 

Detectives filed the case with the District Attorney's Office and felony charges of attempted murder 
were filed against the suspects. The suspects were arraigned and are being held for a preliminary 
hearing. 

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 thieves:

 

 •LOCK your car!

 •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 auto burglary. Be proactive, 
look around, and most importantly, don't hesitate to call the police if you see something or someone 
suspicious.

FREE ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING EVENT

September 29, 2012 – 10am-5pm

Mt. Sierra College is partnering with the Foothill Unity Auxiliary Center for a free event to recycle 
your electronic waste. To participate, bring your electronic waste to the parking lot of Mt. Sierra 
College located at 101 E. Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016.

Common electronics items accepted are: Computer Monitors, Television Sets, LCD’s, Plasma TV’s, 
Telephones, PC equipment, Battery Powered Toys, Cameras, Cell Phones, Vacuums, and Power Tools. 
Items that are not accepted are Household Batteries, Fluorescent Light Bulbs, Glass, Wood, Tires, 
or Large Appliances. Acts will also accept other donations of clothing, furniture, house wares, and 
books.

Mt. Sierra College offers bachelor degree programs in three areas of study: media arts, business, 
and technology. The College has designed its degree programs to provide you with a well-rounded 
education - a technology driven, academically sound curriculum for tomorrow’s professionals. All 
programs are designed to be completed in twelve consecutive quarter terms over a period of three 
calendar years.

Mt. Sierra College offers year-round enrollment, and applications are accepted for the Fall, Winter, 
Spring and Summer quarters. The degree programs at Mt. Sierra College are open to all qualified 
applicants who have successfully earned a high school diploma or the equivalent. Acceptance to Mt. 
Sierra College is based primarily on a review of applicant’s high school and/or college transcripts and 
entrance assessments results. To learn more about Mt. Sierra, please visit www.mtsierra.edu.

FRIENDS OF THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FALL SALE

 

 MONROVIA - Friends of the Monrovia Public Library announce the Friends Fall Sale, on October 
13 & 14. The sale is open to the public in both Library Park and the Library Community Room from 
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with our famous $2.00 a Bag Sale Sunday 3-5 p.m. 
100% of the proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public Library. Our volunteers operate the only book 
store in Monrovia. 

 

On October 13-14, more than 5,000 books will be available for purchase – 90% of them donations 
from the public. Prices for regular books and media range from 25¢ to $2. Collectables are individually 
priced from $5 to $40. While book sellers are welcome, scanners are not permitted. 

 

The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library promote the Library by stimulating a greater use and 
appreciation of the literary, educational, and cultural advantages the library offers throughout the 
community. 

 

Monrovia Public Library 321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016. For more information, call 
(626) 932-5555, Ext. 3124 or visit www.friendsofmonroviapubliclibrary.org

THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL HOST 
SOCIAL MEDIA: A TWO PART EVENT 

Thursday October 4, 2012 

This program will be held at the library located at 321 South Myrtle Avenue and is supported in 
whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

Part one: “Social Media Marketing Made Simple” is presented by Kelly Flint, who will provide insight 
on social media and its value to small businesses. Kelly will provide strategies and best practices on 
how to evaluate what’s best for your business and how to create content for marketing campaigns. 
This free workshop will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Pre-
registration is encouraged. Stop by the Adult Reference Desk, call 626-256-8274, or visit www.monroviapubliclibrary.
org and click on the Library Calendar and follow the registration link. 

Part two: “Facebook for Business” is an optional fee-based Boot Camp program sponsored by SCORE 
Los Angeles. The hands-on program is presented by David and MJ Finstrom, owners of HUTdogs. 
This session focuses on using Facebook pages for business and non-profits. Coaches will help attendees 
move forward with their Facebook page. Bring your own laptop. The fee-based Boot Camp will be 
held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. The $139 fee is payable in advance 
or at the door. Pre-registration is encouraged online only. Visit www.monroviapubliclibrary.org, click 
on the Library Calendar and follow the registration link. 

Thursday October 4

Library Community Room

12:00 pm to 4:30 p.m.

Part 1: Free - Part 2: $139.00

$5.00 off any service(at regular price)