Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 15, 2018

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Mountain View News Saturday, December 15, 2018 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

CITIZEN’S FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
RELEASES FINAL REPORT RESIDENTIAL PANEL 
PROPOSES ADDITIONAL LOCALLY CONTROLLED 
REVENUE

For the period of Sunday, December 2nd, through 
Saturday, December 8th, the Police Department 
responded to 892 calls for service, of which 136 required 
formal investigations. The following is a summary report 
of the major incidents handled by the Department during 
this period.

Sunday, December 2:

Shortly before 6:32 p.m., officers responded to a 
residence in the 1600 block of Loganrita Avenue 
regarding a suspicious person. The officers located the 
subject lying down on a resident’s lawn and discovered 
he was in possession of a meth pipe. The 37-year-old 
male from Monrovia was cited and released in the field.

 At approximately 7:36 p.m., an officer responded to 
the Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding 
a fraud report. The victim stated an unknown suspect 
made fraudulent purchases on his credit card totaling 
$2,000.00. The victim doesn’t know the identity of 
the suspect or how the suspect obtained his personal 
information. 

Monday, December 3:

 Just after 12:41 a.m., officers conducted an enforcement 
stop on a vehicle in the area of Huntington Drive and 
Baldwin Avenue for driving without headlights. Upon 
contacting the driver, the officer noticed signs consistent 
with alcohol consumption. During a series of tests, the 
officers concluded the 28-year-old male from Monrovia 
was driving with a blood alcohol content of .214%. He 
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking. 

 At approximately 8:23 a.m., an officer responded to 
the 400 block of West Le Roy Avenue regarding a vehicle 
burglary report. The officer discovered an unknown 
suspect smashed the front passenger window and stole 
the victim’s purse between 8:10 a.m. and 8:18 a.m. on 
December 3rd while the victim dropped her kids off at 
school. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were 
located. 

Tuesday, December 4:

 Around 2:57 a.m., officers responded to Envision 
Optometric Eyecare, 655 West Duarte Road, regarding 
an audible alarm activation. Surveillance footage 
revealed an unknown suspect smashed the front glass 
door with a sledge hammer and stole numerous pairs of 
glasses. The investigation is ongoing. 

 Just before 7:10 a.m., an officer responded to the 
800 block of Arcadia Avenue regarding a stolen vehicle 
report. The victim discovered her 1999 Honda Civic had 
been stolen sometime during the previous evening. No 
suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. 

Wednesday, December 5:

 At about 1:02 p.m., an officer responded to a residence 
in the 1600 block of Alta Oaks Drive regarding a fraud 
report. The victim determined an unknown suspect 
attempted to open a Target credit card in their name 
without their permission. The victim does not know 
how the suspect obtained their personal information or 
the identity of the suspect. 

 Shortly after 3:39 p.m., an officer responded to 
Fairview Park, 542 Fairview Avenue, regarding a grand 
theft report. The victim was approached by three female 
suspects who told her a family member was in danger 
and to save them, she should participate in a “spiritual 
ceremony”. They instructed her to go home, find all of 
the money and jewelry she could find, and then return to 
the park and give them the items. The victim complied 
and gave the suspects more than $15,000 worth of 
property and money. The suspects fled on foot. 

 The suspects are described as three Asian females, 
5’1” to 5’4” tall, 100 to 150 pounds. The investigation is 
ongoing. 

Thursday, December 6:

 Before 4:04 p.m., an officer responded to Arcadia 
Medical & Cosmetic Center, 1317 South Baldwin 
Avenue, regarding a forgery report. Staff members 
located a counterfeit $100 bill in the register. It is 
unknown who passed the fraudulent currency. 

 Around 5:44 p.m., an officer responded to a residence 
in the 1400 block of Melanie Way regarding a residential 
burglary report. The officer determined unknown 
suspect(s) pried open the pet door screen, ransacked the 
home, and fled with an unknown amount of property. 
The investigation is ongoing. 

Friday, December 7: 

 At about 8:54 a.m., an officer responded to a residence 
in the 100 block of Genoa Street regarding a battery 
report. An investigation revealed an altercation occurred 
between a husband and a wife resulting in the husband 
choking the wife until she lost unconsciousness. The 
32-year-old male from Arcadia is outstanding at the 
time of this report. 

 Just before 5:43 p.m., officers responded to 
Nordstrom, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a 
burglary report. An investigation revealed six juvenile 
suspects stole six backpacks valued at $1,800.00 before 
exiting and fleeing in a red Ford Econoline van. The 
investigation is ongoing. 

Saturday, December 8:

 Shortly after 1:24 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic 
stop on a vehicle in the area of Sixth Avenue and Live 
Oak Avenue for driving without headlights. A records 
check revealed the vehicle’s registration was suspended. 
During a consensual search of the driver, the officers 
located drug paraphernalia, a controlled substance, false 
identification cards, and discovered the 33-year-old 
female from Temple City was driving without a license. 
A records check of the 18-year-old male passenger from 
Temple City revealed he had an outstanding felony 
warrant. Both were arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

 At approximately 7:11 p.m., officers responded 
to a residence in the 1100 block of Fallen Leaf Road 
regarding a residential burglary report. An investigation 
revealed unknown suspect(s) smashed a second story 
window, entered the home, and fled through the front 
door. The loss is unknown at this time. No suspects were 
seen and no witnesses were located. 

December 14, 2018 – The City of Arcadia’s Citizen’s 
Financial Advisory Committee—an independent, ad-
hoc advisory body of civic volunteers empaneled by the 
City Council to review the City’s General Fund long-
range financial forecast and provide recommendations 
to the City Council for cost containment and/or revenue 
enhancements—released its final report today. The 40-page 
report includes 15 recommendations for the Arcadia City 
Council to address the City’s $8,000,000 structural budget 
deficit. 

 The Arcadia City Council will review the report at 
its January 15, 2019, meeting. To view the report, visit 
ArcadiaCA.gov/CFAC. 

After careful review, the Committee is recommending 
additional funding options that maximize local control 
over taxpayer dollars. A key recommendation is for the 
City to consider increasing the City’s local sales tax rate by 
. of one cent in order to maintain services at current levels. 
A growing number of California cities with large malls 
and retail centers—including other cities in Los Angeles 
County—have enacted similar measures as significant 
percentages of sales tax revenues are paid by out-of-town 
shoppers.

The Committee reviewed all possible scenarios, including 
a 12.5% reduction in City services to close the budget gap. 
Services that are important to the Arcadia community, 
particularly police and fire, which comprise over 60% of 
the General Fund budget, would be adversely impacted, 
the Committee concluded. As many as two dozen police 
officers and firefighters could potentially be cut, and the 
City’s northern fire station could potentially be closed.

“The Committee was primarily concerned about quality of 
life in Arcadia,” said former Arcadia Mayor and Committee 
Chair Mickey Segal. “Eliminating 13 police officers, 
10 firefighters, and closing a fire station would reduce 
neighborhood patrols and life-saving response times. There 
are alternatives to these community-changing service cuts.”

 “We looked at the books and realized that service cuts alone 
could not address this issue without sacrificing Arcadia’s 
quality of life and safety,” said Vice Chair Howard Ursettie. 
“The revenue options were either to raise property taxes on 
Arcadia residents or recommend a voter-approved, locally-
controlled sales tax increase on visitors who shop at our mall. 
Also, the prospect of the County grabbing the remaining 
sales tax increment for another one of their initiatives that 
doesn’t benefit Arcadia residents is a real concern.”

 “Cities are struggling with the rising costs of services, 
especially increasing pension costs due to policy changes 
at the state level,” said City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto. 
“Arcadia was one of the first cities in the state to implement 
pension reforms in 2011 and the City has taken a fiscally 
conservative, responsible approach over the years to control 
costs while maintaining the quality services our residents 
expect. Despite our early leadership on pension reform, the 
unfunded liability payments to PERS are overwhelming 
our General Fund.”

The Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee is comprised 
of five well-known residents, all with strong backgrounds in 
finance and accounting:

- Mickey Segal, a 34-year resident of Arcadia, a former 
Mayor, and Chair of the City’s previous Citizen’s Financial 
Advisory Committee, Mr. Segal has an extensive background 
as a CPA and financial advisor, with a particularly strong 
background in municipal pension financing.
- Howard Ursettie, a 45-year resident of Arcadia and 
Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Ursettie is a long-time 
financial advisor, providing financial services to individuals 
and large and small businesses. A well-known figure in 
the community, Mr. Ursettie brings a deep understanding 
of neighborhood needs to the Committee.Jessica Louie, 
a 28-year resident of Arcadia worked for an external 
auditing firm that audited the City’s finances. Mrs. Louie 
has a deeper understanding of Arcadia’s finances having 
been a part of that independent audit team. Mrs. Louie has 
also been involved in the Santa Anita Oaks Homeowners 
Association. 
- Robert Miller, a 38-year resident of Arcadia and current 
member of the Arcadia Beautiful Commission, Mr. Miller 
has extensive experience with financial consulting through 
his award-winning financial consulting firm and sterling 
reputation in the financial services industry.
- Tommy Thai, a 12-year resident of Arcadia and former 
member of Arcadia’s Zoning Review Committee, Mr. 
Thai brings a comprehensive understanding of the City’s 
real estate environment, focusing on preserving the high 
property values and excellent services that make Arcadia a 
desirable place to live.


 “I am proud of the work of this Committee,” said 
Committee Member Tommy Thai. “All Arcadian’s deserve 
a safe, clean, and prosperous community. Arcadia really is a 
City that works. We want to keep it that way.”

 For more information about the Citizen’s Financial 
Advisory Committee meetings, please visit ArcdiaCA.
gov/CFAC. To Join the Conversation regarding the future 
of Arcadia City services, please visit ArcadiaCA.gov/
CityWorks. 


CITY OF ARCADIA - YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Arcadia Recreation and Community Services is excited 
to offer a basketball league designed to expose children to 
the fundamental skills of the sport while allowing them 
to experience teamwork and sportsmanship. Leagues are 
organized to provide a fun, non-competitive, learning 
experience for boys and girls of all skill levels in grades 
3rd-8th. Practice is held at Dana Middle School in the 
Dana Gym on Mondays and Wednesdays, times T.B.D. 
Transportation to and from the practice and games is 
the responsibility of the participants. Space is limited and 
registration is currently open until filled online at www.
ArcadiaCA.gov or at the Recreation Office. For more 
information please call 626.574.5113.


LIBRARY’S VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER

Once again, the Library’s Veterans Resource 
Center is partnering with the local American 
Legion Women’s Auxiliary to support the USO 
& local military personnel who are hospitalized. 
Below is a list of critical items needed:

• White socks for men and women
• Coloring books for adults
• Coloring pencils, markers and pens
• Board games and card games for adults
There is a large yellow box in the Library Lobby 
near the Circulation Desk for donations. Please 
drop all donated items in the marked box. For 
more information, contact Librarian Mabel Cross 
at (626) 256-8294. Thank you for your support!


SANTA TOURS THROUGHOUT MONROVIA 

SET FOR WEEK OF DECEMBER 17! 

The ever-popular Santa Tours are set to take place once 
again this year during the week of December 17, when 
Santa Claus will be driving down every street in Monrovia! 
Santa Claus will be touring each neighborhood on top of a 
decorated fire engine passing out candy canes, escorted by 
a police car and a decorated public works sleigh! Everyone 
is encouraged to come out and wave to Santa and enjoy the 
Christmas carols playing over the police car’s P.A. system! 
A big thank you to all of the City employees from the Police 
Department, Monrovia Fire & Rescue, and Public Works 
who volunteer their time to help make this program a success! 
Please note… those wishing to participate by riding 
in the sleigh with Santa should assemble by 5:00 p.m. at 
the City Hall parking lot (415 S. Ivy Ave) each night the 
Santa Tour occurs. Remember that space is limited and 
participation is on a first come, first served basis. Parents are 
reminded that children must be accompanied by an adult. 
The tours will last from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and follow 
the schedule below:

Monday, December 17 

City streets east of Myrtle Avenue, north of Foothill 
Boulevard. 

Tuesday, December 18 

City streets west of Myrtle Avenue and north of Foothill 
Boulevard.

Wednesday, December 19 

City streets east of Myrtle Avenue, south of Foothill 
Boulevard, north of Duarte Road, west to east city 
boundaries.

Thursday, December 20 

City streets west of Myrtle Avenue, south of Foothill 
Boulevard to Huntington Avenue between Myrtle Avenue 
and Fifth Avenue. 

Friday, December 21 

City streets south of Huntington Avenue, west of Myrtle 
Avenue to Fifth Avenue, north of southern city boundaries. 
Also include Valley Circle. 

 For more information, please contact the Monrovia 
Police Department at (626) 256-8000!


CITY ROUND UP

CITY COUNCIL OATH OF OFFICE - The Duarte 
community is invited to participate in the December 
11th historic oath of office and transition meeting 
for the new seven district City Council. The meeting 
starts at 7:00 pm in the Duarte Community Center 
at 1600 Huntington Drive and the Oath of Office 
will be delivered by County Supervisor Hilda Solis. 
Immediately following the ceremony there will be a 
reception featuring live music from California School of 
Arts of the San Gabriel Valley.

DUARTE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FUND RAISER 
- This Saturday, December 8th starting at 9:00 am the 
annual Winter Solstice craft faire featuring handcrafted 
items, food and vintage wares will be for sale at the 
Andres Duarte Statue Plaza directly across from City 
Hall. All day there will be entertainment featuring; the 
Choir from the Duarte Senior Center at 11 a.m., the 
Sounds of Harmony, a Sweet Adeline’s Chorus, will 
perform at 1 p.m. and Monrovian Jim Constantian will 
play music by Glenn Miller on his vintage phonograph 
throughout the day. 

DUARTE’S HOLIDAY GIVING - Duarte’s Promise 
and the Duarte Neighborhood Watch Program, 
along with several local churches, businesses, schools 
and non-profits have teamed up to ensure a joyous 
2018 Holiday season for hundreds of Duarte area 
families. This year’s Holiday of Promise program 
runs till December 13th and the Neighborhood 
Watch Toy Drive ends December 8th. For more 
information about the Holiday of Promise and a 
list of participating sites, contact Duarte’s Promise 
at City Hall, (626) 357-7931 ext. 260 or email 
valeriol@accessduarte.com. For more information 
on how to organize your own Neighborhood Watch 
Party, please contact Aida Torres at (626) 359-5671. 

PARKING ENFORCEMENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 
- The Public Safety Department will not be issuing 
parking citations for street sweeping or 3am - 6am 
parking restrictions from December 21, 2018, to January 
4, 2019, in recognition of the Christmas and New Year 
holidays. We will still issue citations for safety violations 
and violations of the Municipal Code.

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com