Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, February 23, 2019

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Mountain View News Saturday, February 23, 2019 

ARCADIA HOSTS URBAN 
WILDLIFE TOWN HALL


February 21, 2019 – The City of Arcadia is partnering with the California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Pasadena Humane Society to 
present an Urban Wildlife Town Hall to educate the community on urban wildlife, 
including best and emerging practices to discourage human-coyote conflicts in Arcadia 
neighborhoods. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at 
Camino Grove Elementary School in the multi-purpose room.

“The City of Arcadia is continuing to engage our community on this important issue,” said City 
Manager Dominic Lazzaretto. “We are excited to partner with CDFW to help educate Arcadia 
residents on how best to discourage wildlife, including coyotes, from becoming comfortable in 
Arcadia neighborhoods.”

CDFW Representatives will be on hand to discuss urban wildlife and how to take a coordinated 
and collaborative community-based approach to this evolving concern. “We value this opportunity 
to collaborate, provide technical expertise, and guidance regarding urban wildlife. It is a privilege 
serving local communities statewide to address human-wildlife conflicts and safe co-existence 
among humans, domestic animals, and wildlife”, said Vicky Monroe, the statewide Conflict Programs 
Coordinator.

Residents are encouraged to submit their coyote sightings through a variety of convenient formats, 
which include:

. MyPD Mobile App – Download the MyPD mobile app from your app store. Use the Submit 
Tip feature to send us your report.
. Twitter – Follow us @DiscoverArcadia. Use the hashtag #Coyote to submit your sighting.
. Email – Send your report to coyotes@arcadiaca.gov.
. Call Us – Use the Coyote Hotline at (626) 574-5463 to submit your information.


All residents who are concerned or interested in coyotes are encouraged to attend this informational 
session. For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 574-5401.

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER


For the period of Sunday, February 10th, through 
Saturday, February 16th, the Police Department 
responded to 990 calls for service, of which 126 
required formal investigations. The following is a 
summary report of the major incidents handled by the 
Department during this period.

Sunday, February 10:

1. Shortly before 9:23 a.m., an officer 
responded to the 100 block of East Longden Avenue 
regarding a stolen vehicle report. The officer 
discovered unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s 
1995 Honda Accord sometime between 6:15 a.m. 
and 8:00 a.m. on February 10th. No suspects were 
seen and no witnesses were located. 
2. At approximately 9:47 a.m., an officer 
responded to the 900 block of West Huntington 
Drive regarding a battery report. An altercation 
ensued between the female and her estranged 
husband resulting in the suspect pushing her and 
restraining her against a wall. The 36-year-old male 
from Arcadia was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Monday, February 11:

3. Just after 1:06 p.m., an officer responded to 
Nordstrom, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding 
a commercial burglary report. An investigation 
revealed three female suspects stole more than 
$1,400 worth of Nike merchandise before exiting the 
store, fleeing in a newer Chevrolet Traverse. 


The suspects are described as black females between 
the ages of 18 and 30-years-old. The investigation is 
ongoing. 

4. At approximately 2:44 p.m., an officer 
conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of 
Foothill Boulevard and Baldwin Avenue for possibly 
driving under the influence. Upon contacting the 
driver, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol. 
Through a series of tests, the officer determined the 
69-year-old male from Arcadia was driving with 
a blood alcohol content of .12. A records check 
revealed the suspect was on probation for driving 
under the influence. The suspect was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Tuesday, February 12:

5. Around 3:56 p.m., an officer responded 
to the parking lot of 921 South Baldwin Avenue 
regarding a series of vehicle burglaries. The officer 
discovered a total of five vehicle burglaries occurred 
in the immediate vicinity. All of the crimes occurred 
in the late afternoon. The investigation is ongoing. 


Wednesday, February 13:

6. Just before 9:33 a.m., officers responded to 
a residence in the 00 block of West Norman Avenue 
regarding a burglary in progress. The victim heard 
her alarm activate and witnessed three suspects 
inside her home. An investigation revealed the 
suspects smashed a rear window, stole the victim’s 
tablet and cellphone, and fled in an awaiting vehicle. 
High quality surveillance footage aided in identifying 
the suspects as a 20-year-old male from Los Angeles, 
a 14-year-old male from Los Angeles, and a 17-year-
old male from Los Angeles. The suspects are 
outstanding at the time of this report. 
7. At about 1:16 p.m., an officer responded 
to Ralphs, 211 East Foothill Boulevard, regarding a 
fraud report. The officer determined the suspect, a 
29-year-old male from Los Angeles, used a forged 
check and a fake ID to purchase food and receive 
cash back. A records check revealed the suspect was 
on parole and had an outstanding misdemeanor 
warrant. He was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
8. Shortly after 3:38 p.m., an officer responded 
to Vons, 745 West Naomi Avenue, regarding a theft 
report. A store employee confronted three suspects 
as they selected a large number of alcohol bottles. 
The suspects left the cart but fled with approximately 
$25.00 worth of merchandise to an awaiting vehicle. 


The suspects are described as two white males and 
one black male. They fled in a white Mercedes sedan. 
The investigation is ongoing. 

Thursday, February 14:

9. Before 7:40 a.m., officers responded to the 
Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, 
regarding a trespassing report. Officers located the 
suspect inside the Human Resources office prior to 
the business opening. The 33-year-old male from Los 
Angeles was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking. 
10. Around 10:09 a.m., the Arcadia Police 
Department received a report from Huntington 
Beach Police Department regarding a fraud incident 
that occurred at Nordstrom, 400 South Baldwin 
Avenue, in November. An investigation revealed 
the unknown suspect obtained the victim’s credit 
card information and made fraudulent purchases 
totaling $3,000.00 all over the Los Angeles area. The 
victim does not know how the suspect obtained her 
personal information or the identity of the suspect. 


Friday, February 15: 

11. At about 8:49 a.m., an officer responded 
a residence in the 400 block of East Rodell Place 
regarding a package theft report. The victim 
discovered his package had been stolen sometime 
between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The reported loss 
is $426.00. No suspects were seen and no witnesses 
were located. 
12. Just before 2:07 p.m., an officer responded 
to a construction site within the 00 block of Wheeler 
Street regarding a burglary report. Surveillance 
footage revealed an unknown suspect climbed over a 
perimeter fence, cut the power to the camera system, 
and fled with more than $2,000.00 worth of tools and 
equipment. The investigation is ongoing. 


Saturday, February 16:

13. Shortly after 4:50 p.m., an officer responded 
to the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, 
regarding a vandalism report. The victim returned to 
her vehicle and discovered someone had scratched 
the passenger doors. The victim believes the incident 
was a result of a dispute over a parking spot. No 
suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. 
14. At approximately 4:42 p.m., an officer 
responded to Arcadia Dental Group, 111 East Live 
Oak Avenue, regarding a theft report. The officer 
discovered an unknown suspect stole an employee’s 
wallet from her unattended purse and used her credit 
and debit cards to make fraudulent purchases. 


Methodist Hospital Foundation’s 

24th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration

Set for Tuesday, March 5 at Santa Anita Park

ARCADIA, Calif. –The 24th annual Mardi Gras Food Fest benefitting the cancer program at Methodist 
Hospital of Southern California will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at Sirona’s Restaurant in Santa 
Anita Park. The event is presented by the Methodist Hospital Foundation and promises to once again be filled 
with great fun, prizes, and entertainment. 

Mardi Gras will feature gourmet foods from more than 30 of the San Gabriel Valley’s most popular restaurants, 
as well as offering libations, a festive parade, crazy costumes, live music, an exciting silent auction, and 
mysterious raffle boxes all for a great cause. The event also includes dancing to the ’80z All-Stars live band, 
and the traditional Mardi Gras parade. More than 800 guests attended last year’s celebration and helped raise 
$145,000 for the new Joint & Spine Pavilion at Methodist Hospital, which opened in April 2018.

Arcadia native Dino Clarizio, MD, and his wife, Hope, will serve as King and Queen of Mardi Gras in honor 
of their dedication and philanthropic efforts on behalf of Methodist Hospital. For more than 30 years, Dr. 
Clarizio has served the community, treating thousands of patients as an internal medicine specialist, while 
Hope has managed his physician office. The two have forged a unique bond and a wonderful life both with the 
medical practice and their volunteer efforts throughout the community. 

“We are honored to be recognized at Mardi Gras this year,” says Dr. Clarizio. “We hope to see a record breaking 
fund raising event at this festive gathering with guests having a wonderful time.”

Mardi Gras title sponsors include Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel and Arcadia Healthcare Center. Sophia 
Chan, Mark Hafeman and Patty Soldo will serve as event co-chairs and will lead the planning brigade for the 
festive and fun event.

To learn more, please go to: www.mardigrasfoodfest.com. For advanced reservations or additional information 
call Methodist Hospital Foundation at (626) 898-8888 or email: mardigras@methodisthospital.org.


From The Desk of the Monrovia City Manager

IN 2018, MONROVIA 
EXPERIENCED A 7.3% INCREASE 
IN PART I CRIMES 
WHEN COMPARED AGAINST 
THE PRIOR YEAR IN 2017

Recently, staff was able to complete our review 
of crime rates in Monrovia during calendar 
year 2018, and the results indicated that Part 1 
crimes continues to increase. When compared 
with 2017, Monrovia experienced a total increase 
of 7.3% in our Part I crimes in 2018. 

Of note, we saw an increase in both violent Part 
1 crimes (3.0%) and non-violent Part 1 crimes 
(7.6%), and in addition, when we compare 
our 2018 crime numbers against calendar year 
2015 (which is the year in which we recorded 
our historic low crime rate), Monrovia has seen 
a 31.2% increase in Part I crimes.

Digging a bit deeper into the numbers, an overview 
of the public safety issues we experienced 
last year includes the following details:

In 2018, Monrovia experienced a total of 984 
Part 1 crimes, whereas in 2017, we had 917 Part 
1 crimes

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) designates 
the most major crimes that plague society 
in the United States as Part 1 crimes

There are eight (8) Part 1 crimes, including 
murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, 
auto theft, and arson.

The 7.3% increase in crime in 2018 means that 
Monrovia had 67 more victims of crime last 
year than the prior year in 2017.

The most significant increase in criminal activity 
were:

We saw increases in aggravated assaults, burglary, 
and larceny:

5 more aggravated assaults in 2018 than in the prior year in 2017, a 
19.2% increase

1 more burglary in 2018 than in the prior year 2017, a 0.8% increase

78 more larceny incidents in 2018 than in the prior year in 2017, a 
12.1% increase

We did see decreases in murder, rape, grand theft auto, and arson

1 fewer murder incident in 2018 than in the prior year 2017, a 
33.3% decrease

2 fewer rape incidents in 2018 than in the prior year in 2017, a 
16.7% decrease

13 fewer grand theft auto incidents in 2018 than in the prior year in 
2017, a 15.7% decrease

1 fewer arson incidents in 2018 than in the prior year 2017, a 50% 
decrease

A complete overview listing of our Part I crime activity in Monrovia 
from 2015 - 2018 is included above for your reference.

As we examine these numbers, it is important to keep in mind 
that similar and greater increases in Part I crimes are being seen 
throughout Los Angeles County and in the State of California. Law 
enforcement personnel have attributed these significant increases 
in criminal activity to the impact of State legislation that has been 
approved during the past few years, including AB 109, Proposition 
47, and Proposition 57. Collectively, those three measures have impacted 
our law enforcement efforts in the following manner:

Early release from prison of tens of thousands of criminals from 
throughout California, the majority of whom are from LA County

Changes in State law that have made any shoplifting, theft, forgery, 
or fraud - where the value of the crime does not exceed $950 - a 
misdemeanor

The personal use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, or 
methamphetamine, have all been reclassified in California as 
misdemeanors

For Monrovia specifically, during the past several decades, the City 
engaged a number of important initiatives to reduce criminal activity, 
including implementation of a gang injunction and expansion 
of our overall Community Activist Policing bureau programs. 
Those efforts and initiatives made a real impact, as we saw crime 
trends decrease significantly over time.

However, given the changes in State law and the associated impacts 
on crime here locally in Monrovia, staff has been engaged in various 
strategies to address the real impacts of increased crime. To 
that end, we have helped coordinate and lead the development of 
a Statewide response to crime increases through the establishment 
of the Taking Back Our Community coalition. The coalition seeks 
to advocate for and support common sense changes to California’s 
criminal justice system, and additional information can be found 
on our website.


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