Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 22, 2012

7

Mountain Views News Saturday, December 22, 2012

CHIEF HUNT ADDRESSES MONROVIA CITY 
COUNCIL AND MAYOR PRO TEM JOE GARCIA 
WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION By Joan Schmidt 

 This past Tuesday’s Monrovia City Council Meeting offered reassurance and gave this reporter a 
great surprise.

 Once again residents of Monrovia saw firsthand what a fine Police Department the City has. 
Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt addressed the City Council and related the steps his department has 
taken to ensure the safety of our children after the terrible tragedy in Connecticut. 

 Officers have begun visiting schools multiple times during the day. “We had extra patrols at all our 
schools over the weekend and we’ve implemented a process where our officers in each beat will visit 
the schools regularly, get out and go onto the campus several times a day, just so no one knows when 
an officer is going to be there, and they’re showing an additional presence to provide some additional 
security at the schools.”

 Prior to the Connecticut shootings, the Monrovia Unified School District and Monrovia Police 
teamed up to prepare “cross response boxes” for each school in the district. The boxes contain 
logistical information like maps to help officers plan a crisis response should a major incident 
occur. Chief Hunt also noted that the Department trains on an annual basis to respond to violent 
incidents at schools. His address reassured the community that our children and their safety are the 
Department’s top priority and a proactive program is in progress.

 Tuesday’s meeting had a surprise announcement. Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia revealed that he will 
not seek re-election in April.

 “The Community has entrusted me with their support and given me the privilege to represent 
them…As my fourth term comes to an end, I have decided after considerable reflection and soul 
searching to not seek re-election in April.”

 Mayor Pro Tem Garcia felt “thankful for the opportunity to serve on the council”. He also had 
praise for his colleagues and staff for their help to make Monrovia the “great city it is”.

 Mayor Lutz, eloquent as always thanked Garcia and wished him well, “You have served this 
community well with all of your heart and all of your being.”

 Council Member Tom Adams said he would miss Garcia and praised him for all his work on 
history preservation and establishing the city’s “Art in Public Places Program”. “Joe’s done some 
incredible things in the City”.

 Earlier in the evening, I caught the Channel 7 News. They were giving an update on their wonderful 
Toy Drive, “Spark of Love”. On the screen, I saw Monrovia Firemen collecting toys! The newscaster 
reported, “Monrovia Firemen collected toys and brought them over to the Foothill Unity Center.” 
Then the next scene shows the Mayor, members of the City Council and Fire Department posing 
with Betty McWilliams, Foothill Unity Center Director, and holding a large check for $6,000! The 
newscaster said that monetary donations had also been received! Well done, Monrovians! Thank you 
and many all of you have a wonderful holiday!

 
As we close out 2012, the City 
of Monrovia wishes you a very 
Happy Holiday and a wonderful 
New Year!

 

Things to keep in mind through 
this Holiday Season:

Take the Holiday Lights Tour 
around Monrovia, viewing all 
of our Holiday Home Happenings 
winners. It's guaranteed to 
put you in a festive mood.

Congratulations to our Holiday 
Home Decorating Contet 
Winners

 Monrovia residents decorated 
their homes and entered the annual 
Holiday Home Decorating 
Contest. The contest judging 
was held on Monday, December 
17 and the award winners were 
recognized at the City Council 
meeting on Tuesday, December 
18. Each award winner received 
a decorative yard sign to display 
the winning award title. Self-
guided tour maps are available 
at the Community Center, City 
Hall, Library, City of Monrovia 
website and Facebook page. 
The award winners are:

Best Still Display – 541 Valmont 
Drive

Best Outdoor Display – 149 North 
Alta Vista Avenue

Best Decorated Outdoor Tree – 308 
West Lemon Avenue

Best Window Display – 208 South 
Mayflower Avenue

Holiday Spirit Award – 529 Valmont 
Drive

Most Effective Use of Lighting a 
House – 380 Norumbega Drive

Toyland Award – 309 North Madison 
Avenue

Children’s Choice Award – 333 
Norumbega Drive

Best Neighborhood Effort – Valmont 
Drive and Valmont Place

Snowman Award – 1416 South 
Alamitas Avenue

Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) 
Festivities Award – 100 and 200 
Block of Fig Avenue

Judges Award – 2500 Block of Rochelle 
Avenue

Tim McKeehan “Best of Season” 
Award – 550 South Park Rose

We’d like to hear from you! 

What’s on YOUR Mind?

Contact us at: editor@mtnviewsnews.com or www.facebook.com/
mountainviewsnews AND Twitter: @mtnviewsnews


LOOKING FOR PLANS TO RING IN 2013? TRY NEW 
YEARS EVE IN OLD TOWN!

Head to Old Town Monrovia on Myrtle Avenue for the 2nd Annual Monrovia New Years 
Eve celebration! Ring in 2013 from 7p.m. to midnight with a live band, ball drop and a beer 
and wine garden. Bring the whole family!

 

FOR YOUR CALENDAR - MONROVIA HOLIDAY CLOSURES 

Tuesday, December 18, 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24– CHRISTMAS EVE; CITY HALL, CORPORATE YARD, COMMUNITY 
CENTER & LIBRARY CLOSED

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25– CHRISTMAS DAY, CITY HALL, CORPORATE YARD, COMMUNITY 
CENTER & LIBRARY CLOSED

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31– NEW YEARS EVE; CITY HALL, CORPORATE YARD, COMMUNITY 
CENTER & LIBRARY CLOSED

MONDAY, JANUARY 1– NEW YEARS DAY; CITY HALL, CORPORATE YARD, COMMUNITY 
CENTER & LIBRARY CLOSED

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED

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


PD TIP OF THE WEEK: PREVENT THEFT OF PACKAGES

Theft of packages is an easy crime to commit and can be perpetrated by even the least professional 
type of criminal. Below are some simple steps you can take to protect your package delivery:

Request a specific drop off time when you know that you will be at home to receive the package. 

Ask for your parcel to be placed on a back porch or even beside the front porch or anywhere that is 
not visible from the street. 

Arrange to pick up your parcels at a package store, such as a UPS store that is convenient for you. 

Let a trustworthy neighbor know you are expecting a package delivery on a specific day and ask them 
to look out for it and bring it into their home for you. 

Have your package delivered to your work address during daytime hours. 

Know when a package is scheduled to arrive and if it doesn't, contact the sender to track the transport 
status of the package. 

And if you see mail theft happening in your neighborhood, be sure to call your local police at once to 
report exactly what you have seen. Time can be a decisive factor in the apprehension of mail thieves.

DUARTE CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING 
PROGRAM COLLECTION FROM DEC. 26 TO 
JAN. 14 Extra Holiday Trash and Recycling Program Also Offered

DUARTE, CA, December 
12, 2012 – The City of Duarte 
through its franchised trash 
hauler, Burrtec Waste, will 
provide a Christmas tree 
collection service for residential 
customers in conjunction 
with Sanitation districts of 
Los Angeles County annual 
Christmas Tree Recycling 
program.

 Christmas trees 
will be collected on regular 
trash collection days from 
Dec. 26 through Jan. 14. All 
decorations, tinsel and stands 
must be removed. Flocked 
trees or trees coated with a 
fire retardant will be accepted. 
Trees over six feet tall need to 
be cut in half. Christmas tree 
collection will also be available 
in the county area of Duarte. 
The County of Los Angeles has 
contracted with waste haulers 
serving the unincorporated 
areas to provide Christmas tree 
recycling services to residences, 
multi-residential complexes 
and commercial, institutional, 
and industrial entities. 

This year Burrtec will collect 
excess holiday trash and 
recyclables beginning Dec. 26 
through Jan. 4. Single-family 
residences may place excess 
holiday trash/recyclables 
in bags alongside their 
containers on collection day. 
Approximately 80% of holiday 
trash is recyclable including 
all gift boxes, wrapping paper, 
greeting cards and cardboard 
packaging.

For more information about 
the Christmas tree recycling 
program in the City of Duarte, 
call City Hall at (626) 357-7931 
or Burrtec at (1-800) 325-9417 
or visit www.accessduarte.com.

Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 410 service events, resulting in 76 
investigations. 

Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale - Suspect Arrested

On December 11 at 12:28 a.m., police received a call reporting suspicious individuals in the 300 
block of West Palm. When officers approached, they saw a male subject hide something in a bush. 
Methamphetamine and cash was recovered. The suspect, who is currently on parole, was arrested 
and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary

On December 12 at 5:07 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported by a resident in the 500 block of Date 
Court. The vehicle was parked on the second level of a parking structure between midnight and 5:00 
a.m. The victim reported that he locked his vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry. Tools were 
stolen from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Hot-Prowl Burglary

On December 12 at 11:26 p.m., a hot-prowl residential burglary was reported in the 1300 block 
of South Primrose. The victim left for work at 8 a.m. She locked her bedroom door before leaving. 
When she returned at 11:15 p.m., she found her bedroom had been ransacked and her jewelry 
had been stolen. The suspect had removed the screen from an unlocked rear window to enter the 
bedroom. The victim's mother was in the house when the crime occurred, but did not hear or see 
anything suspicious. Another family member was in the rear house, which faces the point of entry. 
The family's dogs were heard barking at approximately 4 p.m., but no one checked to see what was 
disturbing them. Investigation continuing.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On December 14 at 12:52 a.m., an officer observed a driver go through a stop light at Huntington and 
Magnolia. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and the investigation determined the driver 
was driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On December 14 at 5:50 a.m., an officer observed a driver go through the stop sign at Mountain and 
Foothill. He stopped the driver and conducted a DUI investigation. The driver was determined to 
be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested 

On December 14 at 6:29 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 100 block of West Foothill. 
A male suspect entered the store, concealed alcohol under his clothing and fled the location. Loss 
prevention chased the suspect, caught him and called police. The suspect admitted to entering the 
store with the intent to steal alcohol as he had no money to pay. He was arrested and charged with 
burglary.

Weapons Violation / Warrants - Suspects Arrested

On December 15 at 3.20 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by two male subjects 
in the 200 block of East Huntington. Both occupants had outstanding warrants, and the driver 
had a suspended driver's license. Upon searching the vehicle, the officers located metal knuckles 
beneath the center bench seats. The driver claimed ownership of the metal knuckles and was additionally 
charged for the weapons violation. Both subjects were arrested.