Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 23, 2015

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 23, 2015 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION 
TO THE CLERK OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA:

 
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear 
hereon of their intention to circulate the attached petition 
within the City of Arcadia for the purpose of repealing existing 
ordinances permitting the taxation of utilities. 
Pursuant to applicable provisions of law, we respectfully 
request that you immediately deliver this notice to the City 
Attorney and that he prepare a Title and Summary within the 
time prescribed by law and return it to us. All communications 
and correspondence may be directed to us in care of Lawrence C. 
Papp at his address below.
Date submitted: April 14, 2015 at Arcadia, California

 
//s// Lawrence C. Papp 
1203 Oakwood Drive 
Arcadia, CA 91006 
//s// Greg Welborn 
501 Campesina Road 
Arcadia, CA 91007 
//s// Domenico Tallerico 
1852 Highland Oaks Drive 
Arcadia, CA 91006


TITLE AND SUMMARY


TITLE: AN INITIATIVE MEASURE PROPOSING TO 
REPEAL THE CITY OF ARCADIA UTILITY USERS TAX
SUMMARY:

 
Residents of Arcadia currently pay a Utility User’s Tax (UUT) for 
telephone/telecommunications, water, gas and electricity service. The 
current rate is 5% of telephone/telecommunications charges and 7% for 
water, gas and electricity charges. The UUT is a general tax, meaning 
that UUT revenues are paid into the City’s General Fund. The UUT is 
expected to generate approximately $7,000,000 in General Fund revenues 
this Fiscal Year. General Fund revenues are budgeted by the City Council 
annually for general city services, such as police and fire protection, 
paramedic services, library services and recreational programs.

 
The initiative measure would amend the City’s Municipal Code by 
repealing the UUT in its entirety. 

 
If the measuire is approved, the General Fund will not receive UUT 
revenues for future years. The City Council will then have to decide, as 
part of the budgeting process, whether other revenues are available to pay 
for City services, or whether City services will have to be reduced. 

For the period of Sunday, May 10th, through Saturday, May 16th, the Police 
Department responded to 925 calls for service of which 105 required formal 
investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled 
by the Department during this period.

Sunday, May 10:

Around 2:43 a.m., an officer responded to Arcadia Garden Café, 850 South 
Baldwin Avenue, regarding a robbery that had just occurred. An investigation 
revealed an unknown male suspect entered the business through an unlocked 
front door, threatened the victims with a handgun, and fled with an unknown 
amount of cash from the register and a backpack from an unlocked vehicle in 
the parking lot.

 At approximately 7:00 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 000 
block of West La Sierra Drive regarding a suspicious circumstances report. The 
victim confronted an unknown male in her backyard who was trying to open a 
locked rear door. The male stated he was there to pick up a friend’s children, and 
fled on foot in an unknown direction. 

 The suspect was described as a white or Armenian male in his 40’s. The 
investigation is ongoing.

Monday, May 11:

Shortly after 12:40 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a vehicle in 
the 000 block of West Duarte Road for driving with a broken head light. Upon 
contacting the driver, the officer discovered the 22-year-old Asian female was 
driving without a license. She was cited and released in the field. The vehicle was 
impounded for 30 days.

 At approximately 6:43 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 
800 block of Balboa Drive regarding a domestic dispute. An investigation 
revealed a husband and wife were arguing when the husband slapped his 
wife on the cheek. The 53-year-old white male was arrested and transported 
to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. The victim did not seek medical 
attention.

Tuesday, May 12:

At about 7:55 a.m., an officer responded to Holy Angels Church, 360 Campus 
Drive, regarding a vandalism report. The victim parked outside of the marked 
stalls due to medical issues while dropping off her granddaughter. A verbal 
dispute ensued between the victim and another subject. Following the dispute, 
the subject walked close to the victim’s car, and when the victim returned home, 
she noticed her car had been vandalized with a key. The subject was described as 
a Hispanic male in his 50’s. 

 Just after 5:44 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of West Norman 
Avenue regarding two subjects seen checking mail boxes. An investigation 
revealed the two female suspects took mail from a number of houses on West 
Camino Real, East Las Flores, East Wistaria Avenue, West Santa Anita Terrace, 
and West Norman Avenue. The 31-year-old and 35-year-old Hispanic females 
were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. The 35-year-
old Hispanic female was found with methamphetamine and a smoking pipe. 
These offenses were added to her list of charges.

Wednesday, May 13:

At approximately 9:49 a.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police 
Department front counter regarding a suspicious circumstances report. The 
victim indicted she has encountered an ex-boyfriend numerous times since 
breaking up with him in January. The victim discovered two tracking devices 
hidden underneath her car, and believes her ex-boyfriend is responsible. The 
possible suspect is a 63-year-old white male. The investigation is ongoing. 

 At about 6:00 p.m., an officer was alerted of a stolen vehicle in the area of 
Kingsley Drive and Golden West Avenue. The officer contacted a suspect who 
was spray painting the hood of the vehicle. Assisting officers discovered the 
29-year-old white male was in possession of shaved keys, methamphetamine, 
and a smoking pipe. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking.

Thursday, May 14:

At approximately 2:17 a.m., an officer responded to Hilton Garden Inn, 199 
North Second Avenue, regarding a fire. Arcadia Fire responded and determined 
a pile of rags and mop heads caught fire in the kitchen, but the cause has yet to be 
determined. No witnesses were seen and no injuries were reported.

 Around 9:48 p.m., an officer responded to 24 Hour Fitness, 125 North First 
Avenue, regarding a vehicle burglary report. Between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., an 
unknown suspect broke the front passenger window of the victim’s vehicle and 
stole her purse. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. 

Friday, May 15: 

Just after 10:49 a.m., an officer responded to Ready Pawn, 42 East Live Oak 
Avenue, regarding a commercial burglary report. The officer discovered 
unknown suspect(s) used sledge hammers and crow bars to create a hole in 
the roof before entering and stealing six guitars. No suspects were seen and no 
witnesses were located. The investigation is ongoing. 

 At about 3:33 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 000 block of 
East Woodruff Avenue regarding a burglary report. An investigation revealed 
unknown suspect(s) attempted to enter the home by prying a window, but were 
unsuccessful. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located.

 

Saturday, May 16:

Just before 1:50 p.m., officers responded to Savers Thrift Store, 16 East Live Oak 
Avenue, regarding a disturbance. Officers located a 26-year-old Hispanic male 
who was yelling, cursing, and scaring customers. The suspect admitted to being 
under the influence of methamphetamine. He was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

 At approximately 11:34 p.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of Sunset 
Boulevard regarding a robbery report. An investigation revealed two females 
were approached by a suspect who demanded one of the female’s necklace and 
keys. The victim complied and the suspect fled on foot with an accomplice. 

 The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his late 20’s, 5’9” tall, 180 
pounds, with a bushy mustache, and a tattoo on the right side of his neck. The 
accomplice was described as a Hispanic male in his late 20’s, 6’ tall, and 190 
pounds. The investigation is ongoing.

CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN STARTS MAY 18TH

ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL SHOW ZERO TOLERANCE

Arcadia, CA – Once again, the Arcadia Police Department is 
reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket. As part of the national seat 
belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies around the 
country will be stepping up enforcement May 18-31, including one 
of the busiest travel weekends of the year that kicks off the summer 
season.

 “Every day, unbuckled motorists are losing their lives in motor vehicle 
crashes,” said Captain Paul Foley of the Arcadia Police Department. 
“As we approach Memorial Day weekend and the summer vacation 
season, we want to make sure people are doing the one best thing that 
can save them in a crash, buckling up.”

 According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
nearly half of the 21,132 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes 
in 2013 were unrestrained. At night from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., that 
number soared to 59 percent of those killed. That’s why one focus of 
the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. Participating 
law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat 
belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

 California statistics reveal that 500 unrestrained vehicle occupants 
died in 2013. Almost twice as many males were killed in crashes as 
compared to females, with lower belt use rates too. Of the males killed 
in crashes in 2013, more than half (54%) were unrestrained. For females 
killed in crashes, 41 percent were not buckled up.

 “If you ask the family members of those unrestrained people who 
were killed in crashes, they’ll tell you—they wish their loved ones had 
buckled up,” added Captain Foley. “The bottom line is that seat belts 
save lives. If these enforcement crackdowns get people’s attention and 
get them to buckle up, then we’ve done our job.”

 For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please 
visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.


MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

DOUGLAS ROSS 

REMEMBERS ROCKTOWN

By: Claudia Heller

This is My Story of My Life Growing up in Rocktown, a personal 
accounting by Douglas Ross, is a new addition to the Duarte 
Historical Museum and available for guests to peruse. Those with 
an interest in Rocktown are invited to the Museum at 777 Encanto 
Parkway, Duarte, on Saturday, June 27 between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. 
for an informal discussion about the history of Rocktown.

 Inhabited by mostly African Americans and Mexican working-
class families, Rocktown was located in the southeastern portion 
of Duarte. It met its demise when the 210 freeway cut through its 
heart. 

 Ross was born 
in 1947 and during 
his formative years 
lived in the tight-knit 
community where 
neighbors watched out 
for each other. Ross 
recalls swimming in 
the river and milking 
the family cow. He 
recalls that there were 
rocks everywhere: 
“We dodged rocks 
tumbling down the 
street when it rained, 
threw rocks in the 
river and the homes 
had rock roofs.”

 The June 27 event is 
open to the public and 
Ross will be on hand 
to talk about his book 
and all of its historical 
photos.

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. To see a 
complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website 
and click on the crime mapping link. Sign up to follow us on Twitter 
for police notifications. 

Residential Burglary On May 14 at 12:20 p.m., an officer responded 
to a residential burglary that occurred in the 100 block of North 
Garfield. The investigation revealed that entry was made into the 
home through an east side window. The home was ransacked and 
the loss is unknown at this time. The investigation is continuing. 

Battery / 72 Hour Mental Evaluation On May 14 at 6:29 p.m., a 
battery incident was reported at a business in the 900 block of East 
Huntington Drive. The store clerk was punched by a male subject 
inside the store. The subject heard voices coming from the clerk’s 
headphones. He punched her, striking her hand as she blocked 
the punch and then the subject fled the store. A surveillance video 
confirmed the subject description and he was located a short time 
later in the area. The clerk wanted prosecution and completed a 
citizen arrest. The suspect had no identification and was taken into 
custody. After he was identified he was place on a 72 hour hold. 

Driving Under of the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested On 
May 15 at 12:30 p.m., a subject called stating a person who appeared 
drunk was getting into a vehicle and driving away near Palm and 
Primrose. The officer observed the vehicle which fit the description 
and stopped it for a vehicle code violation. An investigation 
revealed the driver was impaired and arrested for driving under the 
influence of alcohol. 

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Traffic Collision – Suspect 
Arrested On May 17 at 10:15 a.m., a traffic collision was reported 
in the area of Duarte Road and 6th Avenue. When officers arrived 
they located a male subject near his vehicle. He explained he had 
struck a parked vehicle. During the course of the investigation it 
was determined the driver of the vehicle was under the influence 
of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Located Critical Missing from Texas / 72 Hour Mental Evaluation 
On May 17 at 12:30 p.m., an employee from a business in the 100 
block of West Duarte called to report a female had arrived in a 
vehicle and stated she was lost. Officers arrived and talked to her 
and she made several statements that did not make sense. She stated 
she had injured her arm in Arizona and said her arm was bothering 
her. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded to check 
on her. A computer check revealed she was a critical missing from 
Texas who was bipolar and off her medication. The female was 
transported to a hospital where she was treated for her injury and 
was placed on a 72 hour evaluation hold.

Suicidal Subject / 72 Hour Mental Evaluation On May 18 at 4:22 
a.m., a female called and said her ex-boyfriend threatened he would 
jump off a cliff “up on Myrtle” if she did not come to see him. 
The female caller was on her way in from Pomona. All available 
officers checked areas where the two have visited in the past, but 
were unable to locate him. The suicidal subject continued to call 
the female while she was driving to Monrovia. The subject told the 
female to meet him in the 100 block of West Colorado, parking 
structure. Officers surrounded the area and walked in on foot. An 
officer observed the subject run into the stairwell where he was 
detained. The subject was checked by Monrovia Fire Department 
paramedics and transported to a hospital where he was held for a 72 
hour mental evaluation. 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle On May 19 at 10:30 a.m., a resident in the 
700 block of West Hillcrest called to report a vehicle with the engine 
still running was parked at the curb. A computer check revealed 
the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Pasadena on May 18. 
The ignition housing was damaged. The owner was notified and the 
vehicle was released. 


SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AIR QUALITY OPEN HOUSE RECAP

DUARTE, CA, May 21, 2015 – Over 40 residents attended an Air Quality 
Presentation and Open House hosted by both the City of Duarte and 
the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) on May 
5, 2015. SCAQMD representatives met with local residents to provide 
valuable information about the air quality findings around their homes 
based on two air monitoring stations; one located in Duarte and the 
other in Azusa.

 Since late 2013, the SCAQMD has maintained a state-of-the art 
beta attenuation air quality monitoring station just north of Valley 
View Elementary School in response to enhanced mining activity at 
the Vulcan Materials Company in Azusa. Prior to this, the SCAQMD 
conducted air-monitoring activities from August 2005 to September 
2008 due to then growing resident concerns over mining.

 The system assesses the air quality in real time and over a 24-hour 
rolling period. The information is compiled and graphically displayed 
on the City’s website www.accessduarte.com. The main area of focus in 
assessing the air quality is tracking PM10 activity. PM10 is particulate 
matter that is less than 10 micrometers in diameter. The concern over 
PM10 emanates from the fact that the particles are so small that they 
can be inhaled into the lungs and lead to serious health problems. Such 
particles can be created from fugitive tire dust and quarry grinding 
operations. Although there have been only two instances of hourly 
data exceeding normal standards, caused by an instrument quality 
control check failure, the City and the SCAQMD both continue to pay 
close attention to the City’s air quality.

SCAQMD staff also emphasized the important role the public can play 
in keeping their local air quality clean by contacting the SCAQMD to 
report perceived air quality violations by either calling the 1-800-Cut-
Smog number, via the downloadable “AQMD” Mobile App available 
for smartphones, or by visiting the District’s website http://aqmd.gov/
complain/reporting

Several City officials and City staff were present during the open house 
including Mayor Tzeitel Paras-Caracci who opened the presentation, 
along with Councilmembers Margaret Finlay, John Fasana and Liz 
Reilly, Assistant City Manager Kristen Petersen, and Deputy City 
Manager Karen Herrera.

“We need to go ahead and get everyone together who is interested in this 
issue and start talking about it,” said Councilmember Margaret Finlay, 
who has been following local air quality concerns for decades. Adding, 
“We don’t want this to just be a one time event where we walk out of 
here, and we’re done. I really believe that vigilance is going to be 
paramount in making sure that everything is followed exactly the way 
it should be followed.”

Discussions are also underway by the City to implement a Foothills 
Oversight Committee as part of the existing Public Services Commission 
to more closely follow air quality concerns and other issues regarding 
the foothills. SCAQMD is also taking action by continuing to respond 
to complaints through more inspection activities. It will also continue 
to work with the City of Azusa on finalizing a location for an air quality 
monitoring station near the Vulcan Materials facility.

The presentation was also taped by DCTV and can be viewed from 
their website at www.dctvduarte.com. For updated information on 
today’s Duarte air quality adjacent to the mining operation, residents 
can visit accessduarte.com and view air quality levels on the right hand 
side of the home page. Regional air quality information can be found 
by visiting the SCAQMD’s website http://www.aqmd.gov

 For more information, or to volunteer, call Duarte City Hall, (626) 
357-7931, ext. 221. 

 

About the City of Duarte

 The City of Duarte was incorporated on August 22, 1957. With 
integrity and transparency, the City provides exemplary public services 
in a caring and fiscally responsible manner with a commitment to our 
community’s future. For more information visit www.accessduarte.
com or call (626) 357-7931. Follow the City of Duarte on Twitter @
CityofDuarte.