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Local City News

Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 26, 2019

MVNews this week: Page 6

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 26, 2019

DOROTHY DENNE HONORED AT

ARCADIA POLICE FOUNDATION
EVENT FUNDS RAISED FOR
ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
K-9 PROGRAM

The Arcadia Police Foundation honored longtime volunteer
Dorothy Denne at their second annual Halloween Hoopla, held
on October 19 at the Arcadia Community Center. Dorothy’s
warmth, wit and no-nonsense attitude has endeared her to the
many Arcadia Police Department officers with whom she has
worked over the years. Dorothy ran the PACE office at the Santa
Anita Mall, spent many years in community relations, and, since
2015, she has spearheaded efforts to bring the K-9 Program back
to the APD.

Dorothy’s insight, knowledge and extensive experience working
in the community was key to raising the money needed to
bringing the police 9 program back to Arcadia and purchasing
K-9 Officers, including all their equipment, training and care.

“We absolutely could not have done it without Dorothy.” Said
TG Metzger, APF President and Founding Board Member.

Silent and live auctions held during the Halloween Hoopla helped raise funds to maintain the K-9 units
and fund special APD projects. The festive evening included delicious food catered by Green Street
Restaurant, a fabulous bar featuring drinks sponsored by Santa Anita Park and the Breeder’s Cup, fun
games, roving entertainers, a lively costume contest, music and dancing.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a $30,000 check by Lily Liu of Grand Funding Group.
The donation will help the APF purchase an additional K-9 Officer for the APD. The new dog will be
trained in narcotics detection and apprehension, complementing K-9 Officer Kota’s skills in explosives
detection and apprehension.

“We are so grateful to all of those who attended our event, and all who support the APF mission.” said
Sue Cook, APF Event Chair.

About the Arcadia Police Foundation

The Arcadia Police Foundation (APF) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization established in
2015 for the purpose of supporting the Arcadia Police Department by raising funds to develop programs,
projects and activities of the
Department that are not
funded in full through the city
budget.

Since it’s inception in 2015, the
APF has successfully raised
funds to bring the K9 Police
Dog Program back to Arcadia:

Over the last four years these
K9 units have successfully:

• Conducted over
50 searches resulting
in 22 surrenders and 4
apprehensions.
• Recovered almost
$500,000 in contraband, money
and evidence including150
pounds of marijuana, 46
pounds of cocaine, 46 pounds
of methamphetamine, and 30
pounds of fentanyl.
• Conducted bomb scent
searches on approximately 700
vehicles, 44 parade floats, and
approximately 20 buildings.

Scanned by CamScanner
ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

For the period of Sunday, October 13th, through
Saturday, October 19th, the Police Department
responded to 1,007 calls for service, of which 146
required formal investigations. The following
is a summary report of the major incidents
handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, October 13:

1. Shortly before 5:39 a.m., an officer
responded to the 00 block of Bonita Street
regarding a vandalism report. A witnessed
saw three suspects smash the windows of two
different vehicles. The suspects, described as
Hispanic males, fled in a grey or blue Honda
Accord. The investigation is ongoing.
2. At approximately 9:20 a.m., an officer
responded to the 300 block of South First
Avenue regarding a string of vehicle burglaries.
The officer discovered four vehicle burglaries
occurred in an underground parking lot of 306
South First Street during the previous evening.
No suspects were seen and no witnesses were
located.
3. Just after 8:40 p.m., an officer responded
to Nordstrom, 400 South Baldwin Avenue,
regarding a sex offense report. The victim
stated the suspect touched her buttock while
she was working. The suspect is described as
a 45 to 50-year-old Asian male, 5’5” tall and
approximately 160 pounds. The investigation
is ongoing.

Monday, October 14:

4. At approximately 11:15 a.m., an officer
responded to the 1100 block of West Orange
Grove Avenue regarding an audible alarm
activation. The officer located a suspicious
subject in a parked car near the residence in
question. During a consensual search of the
vehicle, the officer located stolen mail, burglary
tools and stolen debit cards. The suspect,
a 26-year-old male from Los Angeles, was
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City
Jail for booking.

Tuesday, October 15:

5. Around 4:30 a.m., an officer responded
to the 500 block of East Lemon Avenue
regarding an assault report. An investigation
revealed a wife was woken by her husband,
who was under the influence of an alcoholic
beverage, and was struck multiple times in the
face. The 56-year-old male from Arcadia had
left the residence before officers arrived. The
suspect is outstanding as of October 22nd.
6. Just before 9:33 a.m., an officer
responded to Springhill Suites, 99 North Second
Avenue, regarding a forgery report. Officers
responded to the hotel and discovered the
occupants were engaging in identity theft, fraud,
and were in possession of a controlled substance
for sale. A 33-year-old female from Toluca Lake
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia
City Jail for booking. A 35-year-old male from
El Monte was arrested and transported to the
Arcadia City Jail for booking. A records check
of the male revealed he had three outstanding
felony warrants.
7. Around 10:02 p.m., an officer responded
to the 300 block of Cambridge Road regarding a
suspicious vehicle in the area. A records check
of the vehicle revealed it was stolen and an
inventory search revealed there were drugs for
sale. An 18-year-old female from Riverside,
an 18-year-old female from Cudahy, and a
17-year-old male from Bell were arrested and
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, October 16:

8. Shortly after 8:04 a.m., an officer
responded to Arcadia Community Church, 121
Alice Street, regarding a commercial burglary
report. The officer determined an unknown
suspect smashed a window, ransacked the
church office, and fled with camera equipment.
The investigation is ongoing.

Thursday, October 17:

9. Before 8:26 a.m., an officer responded
to a residence in the 200 block of Longley Way
regarding a stolen vehicle report. Sometime
during the previous evening, an unknown
suspect stole the victim’s 2005 Ford Escape.
Inside the stolen vehicle was a laptop. The
victim tracked the laptop to the intersection of
Second Street and Mission Road in Alhambra
but was unable to locate his vehicle or laptop.
The investigation is ongoing.
10. Around 9:45 a.m., an officer responded
to Knight Cleaners, 424 East Foothill
Boulevard, regarding a grand theft report. An
investigation revealed the suspect entered the
business, used a fraudulent check to pay for
cleaning services for clothing that wasn’t hers,
and fled with approximately $3,500.00 worth of
clothing belonging to the victim. The suspect
is described as a 40 to 50-year-old white
female with blonde hair and brown eyes. The
investigation is ongoing.

Friday, October 18:

11. At about 5:32 p.m., an officer
responded to a residence in the 300 block of
East Floral Avenue regarding a burglary report.
The officer determined an unknown suspect
smashed a window, entered the home, but fled
emptyhanded. An unknown subject activated
the victim’s Ring doorbell camera system
prior to the burglary. The unknown subject is
described as a black male, approximately 16 to
22-years-old. The investigation is ongoing.
12. Just before 10:08 p.m., an officer
responded to the 800 block of South Santa Anita
Avenue regarding a drunken subject. Upon
contacting the suspect, the officer determined
the 29-year-old male from Los Angeles was
under the influence of an alcoholic beverage
and was unable to care for himself. The suspect
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia
City Jail for booking.

Saturday, October 19:

13. Shortly after 7:21 p.m., an officer
responded to Coco’s Restaurant, 1150 West
Colorado Boulevard, regarding a fraud report.
Instead of charging the victim’s card $30 for
his meal, the suspect attempted to charge the
card for $700.00. The charge was declined
and the victim was alerted by his bank of
possible fraudulent activity. The investigation
is ongoing.

SO. PASADENA NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTION

South Pasadena will have a special election November 5, with two local measures on the ballot.

Key Dates: Vote By Mail – Apply to vote by mail through October 29 Last Day to Register to Vote in the November 5, Election:
October 21.

Summary FAQs:

WHY DOES THE CITY NEED TO INCREASE REVENUE?

The City is facing increases in operating costs, unfunded pension liabilities, infrastructure and technology. The City has been fiscally
conservative with salaries, benefits and a low number of staff positions relative to other cities. Even with these steps South Pasadena’s
General Fund is facing a deficit of about $1 million a year that is expected to grow to $2 million a year in 5 years.

WHAT HAS THE CITY DONE TO CONTROL EXPENSES SO FAR?

South Pasadena offers the lowest possible pension formula (2% at 55) which has kept the City’s costs lower when compared to cities
that pay 2.5%, 2.7% or even 3.0% at 50. The City also controls its pension costs by controlling the number of employees. In the last
five years, the city has increased the number of full-time staff by only three positions. South Pasadena has roughly .5 employees per
1,000 residents. In comparison, cities with larger budgets, such as Pasadena, have 1.3 employees per thousand residents, or more than
twice the ratio of South Pasadena. The scope and scale of South Pasadena’s government has remained focused and efficient within
the available budget.

IF SOUTH PASADENA DOES NOT PUT A SALES TAX MEASURE ON THE BALLOT, WILL THE CITY’S SALES TAX
INCREASE IN THE FUTURE?

The State has a sales tax cap of 10.25%. If South Pasadena voters approve the proposed measure, local sales tax will reach that cap.
However, if voters do not pass a measure and South Pasadena’s sales tax rate remains less than 10.25%, then any other sales tax
adopted by County voters could be assessed on South Pasadena. Funds assessed for County projects would not be dedicated to South
Pasadena services.

WHAT OTHER REVENUE OPTIONS IS THE CITY CONSIDERING?

The City Council recently adopted a Financial Sustainability Plan that calls for several short- and long-term revenue options and
strategies. The sales tax was identified as a priority because of the urgent need to close the budget deficit and the fact that the sales
tax is paid by out of town visitors as well as residents. Other revenue options include economic development and the reuse of City
properties that are not currently generating revenue. However, these recommendations would not cover the entire deficit and may
take years to develop.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT BREAKDOWN OF SOUTH PASADENA’S SALES TAX?

The current sales tax in South Pasadena is 9.5%, of which South Pasadena gets 1%. The remainder goes to the State, County, and
regional agencies. Of the millions locally generated every year in South Pasadena, only $2 million returns locally. Every cent of the
3/4 cent sales tax proposed by the local sales tax measure would stay in South Pasadena to provide essential services.