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Monrovia Police: Mother and Child Hurt in Car Accident, Etc.


[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Report for August 11-17- Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 659 service events, resulting in 103 investigations. Following are the last week’s highlighted issues and events:


Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested


On August 13 at 12:46 a.m., a female driver in an SUV was traveling south on Mayflower when another female driver in a sedan pulled out in front of her in the 1300 block of South Mayflower. The driver of the SUV was unable to stop and struck the sedan. Her SUV drove over the front end of the sedan, she overcorrected, and then struck a wall under the freeway overpass. The SUV was occupied by a 12-year-old female and her mother. The child sustained a broken femur and the mother sustained a broken left foot, both were taken to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the sedan was determined to be under the influence and was arrested. She was also taken to a hospital for evaluation.


Residential Trespassing


On August 14 at 12:15 p.m., the owner of an apartment complex located in the 100 block of Montana discovered that one of the empty units at the complex is being used by what appears to be transients. The transients left evidence of possible identity and the investigation is continuing.


Grand Theft Auto Recovery


August 14 at 7:45 p.m., a stolen 1993 Nissan Altima was located at a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington. The vehicle had been stolen out of Azusa on July 28. No suspect information is known. The owner responded and recovered the vehicle. Investigation continuing.


Grand Theft Auto


August 14 at 8:25 p.m., a green, 1997 Honda was stolen from a carport area in the 400 block of West Duarte Road. The victim last saw the vehicle at 9:30 p.m. the previous night. Investigation continuing.


Grand Theft Auto Recovery


August 15 at 8:20 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1600 block of Radford Place regarding a suspicious vehicle. The officer located the vehicle parked on the street. It was a reported stolen vehicle and it was unlocked and intact. The victim was notified and responded to recover the vehicle. The victim did not find anything missing from the vehicle. A witness reported seeing a male Hispanic subject, 25-30 years old, 5'10", 200 pounds, with short hair and clean shaven. The subject drove the vehicle to the location and parked it. He then left the location in a Chevy Tahoe that had followed the stolen vehicle and was being driven by a female Hispanic, approximately 25-30 years old. The vehicle was returned to the victim and the investigation is continuing.


Vehicle Burglary


October 15 at 1:54 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of South California on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that her locked vehicle was broken into and her property was stolen.


Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Traffic Accident


On August 15 at 4:07 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of North Mayflower Avenue regarding a traffic accident. The incident involved a vehicle that struck a 77-year-old female pedestrian. The Monrovia Fire Department paramedics were on scene and readying the victim to be taken to a hospital. The driver of the vehicle was apparently backing up his van, using only his mirrors, and did not see the female victim and struck her. The female subject fell backward onto the roadway and hit her head on the street. The victim was taken to the hospital and was in critical care overnight. She passed away the next day.


Criminal Threats – Suspect Arrested


On August 15 at 8:09 p.m., police received a call reporting a disturbing subject at the skate park in the 800 block of East Olive. The caller reported that a male subject was threatening people and said he had a gun, which was not seen, but he repeatedly reached into his waistband. The subject left the area prior to the arrival of officers. The suspect was claiming that the subjects at the skate park had taken his wallet, which he believed he had lost there. A short time after the officers left the area, the subject returned and confronted three people at the skate park. He pointed at them and threatened to shoot them. Officers responded and the suspect was positively identified by the victims, arrested, and charged for criminal threats. The suspect did not have a gun.


Attempt Burglary


On August 17 at 10:00 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of South Mayflower reported an attempt burglary. Sometime between August 16 and 17 an unknown suspect attempted to pry open the front door of the residence. There was no loss and the investigation is continuing.


No-Bail Warrant – Suspect Arrested


On August 17 at 1:04 p.m., an officer on patrol observed two suspicious subjects standing next to a vehicle in a parking lot in the 800 block of West Huntington and a third subject was crouching next to the vehicle. One of the standing subjects nudged the subject who was crouching down as if to alert him of police presence. The officer continued driving, but then went back to watch the three subjects. The officer believed the subjects were tampering with parked vehicles and detained them. Warrant checks revealed one of the subjects had two no-bail warrants for grand theft auto. He was arrested for the warrants. The other




- Brad Haugaard

Tree Blocks Monrovia Canyon Park


A rotted oak tree has fallen over and blocked cars from getting in or out of the upper park. I guess the folks here now will have a longer picnic than they counted on.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Oregon Contract

Monrovia-based AeroVironment has been selected by the Oregon Department of Transportation to supply, install, operate and maintain electric vehicle charging stations along major highways. http://goo.gl/PH4r7

Monrovia Patch Owner, AOL, Having Financial Troubles

AOL, the owner of the Patch local-news sites, including the Monrovia Patch, is having financial troubles. This article by Bloomberg ( http://goo.gl/asgX0 ) suggests that AOL may be a takeover target, and this New York Times article ( http://goo.gl/eho5x ) says some people are thinking Patch may need to be closed. All speculation, mind you, nothing official.
 
Opinion: I hope Patch survives. Relative to MonroviaNow, Patch has more depth in its articles, but I have fun trying to be first getting an article on line -- though they often beat me there as well. But, anyway, it wouldn't be much fun without you guys. Best wishes, Patch!
 
- Brad Haugaard

STAR Test Results for Monrovia Schools | Study Supports Portantino

~ STAR test results for Monrovia schools. http://goo.gl/o2XlR


~ Stanford research supports the claim of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) that the California Assembly's finances are opaque. It concludes that in at least one case, spending by an assemblyman is more than eight times higher than claimed. http://goo.gl/FHqWe


- Brad Haugaard

Fixing Riparian Habitats to Improve Innovation in California

Monrovia's assemblyman, Anthony Portantino, sent out a press release this morning saying that he supports the California Council on Science and Technology's just-released report on improving innovation. He said it "reflects California's unique way of addressing challenges and solving problems."
 
A summary of the report - which I found here: http://goo.gl/yQQ4A - calls California's situation "alarming," and compares us unfavorably with Texas, Virginia and Washington. The solution? 1) a privately-funded "California Innovation Corporation" to help academia and industry work together, 2) broadband Internet access for K-12 students, and 3) "publicprivate partnerships" to monitor and control water usage and quality, and to restore "watersheds and riparian habitats."
 
Opinion: Regarding solution 2 - Does this mean the state is going to quit stealing money from school districts so the schools will have the cash to install broadband? Regarding solution 3 - I agree water management is critical, but to suggest that water management is a key to improving innovation is just totally bizarre.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Run Over by a Rover - Unity Center's Back-to-School Event


At the August 18 Back to School Fair - organized by Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center - low-income children will receive school supplies and have a chance to feel the suspension wheels of a Mars Rover run over their bodies as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory brings a model rover to the event.
JPL will also bring an eight- by twenty-foot three-dimensional image of the McMurdo Panorama, the highest-resolution image ever taken of Mars, and will get to inspect a full-scale inflatable model of Curiosity, the rover for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, slated for launch this November.
Children will also get to talk with experts from ITT  Corporation, which handles operation and maintenance of the antennas, equipment, and facilities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) and provides mission operations support to JPL and NASA.
- Brad Haugaard (from press release)

Monrovia's AeroVironment Plans Vertical Takeoff Aircraft

Monrovia's AeroVironment is considering creating a vertical takeoff and landing craft. http://goo.gl/NiXGM

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Book Sale | New Elected Representatives? | Portantino

~ In August, Friends of the Library is having is Yellow Dot sale. All adult books and media with a bright yellow dot on the spine are half-price. The Friends Store is in the Library. http://goo.gl/OR0Gg
 
~ Possible Monrovia representatives after redistricting. http://goo.gl/ykeLU
 
~ Portantino-Perez feud continues. http://goo.gl/EhYdw
 
- Brad Haugaard

September 11 Remembrance in Monrovia | Community Center Maintenance

~ A tenth anniversary remembrance of the 9/11 attacks will be held at the Monrovia Fire Department at 1 p.m., Sept. 11. Details: http://goo.gl/Ou1VC
 
~ Dates of facility maintenance at Monrovia Community Center: http://goo.gl/Cx1T9
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Gets Huge Order | City Split in Redistricting | Flame Broiler Restaurant Opening

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment gets $65 Million order for its unmanned aircraft systems. http://goo.gl/PRDXA
 
~ Redistricting chops Monrovia in two for congressional representation. http://goo.gl/jjhJH 
 
~ A Flame Broiler fast-food restaurant that serves up healthy alternatives like grilled chicken teriyaki bowls is opening soon in the Henry's Market complex. http://goo.gl/etDzR 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Registration

Monrovia High Registration - Aug. 16 for Seniors, Aug. 17 Juniors, Aug. 18 Sophmores, Aug. 19 Freshmen. Aug. 22 Make-up Day. Students need TDAP shots to register. Details: http://goo.gl/rh4e5


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Helping Somalia

Monrovia's World Vision delivers tents for Somalia refugees. http://goo.gl/EMbo8
 
- Brad Haugaard

Olympic Speakers in Monrovia


Monrovia Reads is sponsoring a Distinguished Speakers Series, featuring Olympians Louis Zamperini, John Naber, Mark Crear, and Kim Rhode. They'll speak at the Monrovia Library Community Room, from 7–9 p.m. on Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Feb. 9, 2012, and March 8, 2012. All proceeds benefit Monrovia Reads. Details here: http://goo.gl/KyXJV
- Brad Haugaard

A Taste of Old Town Monrovia

Monrovia Kiwanis Club is sponsoring an event to let Monrovia restaurateurs show off their culinary skills. Food and music and proceeds go to benefit the YMCA. October 16, 5-8 p.m. on Myrtle between Lime and Olive. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Details: http://goo.gl/JZXVR
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment Makes Drone-Bomb

The Economist Magazine describes drone-bombs called "Switchblade" being developed by AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/7mGTC

- Brad Haugaard

Decoding Monrovia Street Lights | Motorcycle Crash | Why Hunt Was Selected as Police Chief

Selections from Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa's weekly report:


~ In case you were wondering how to tell streetlights that are owned by Monrovia from streetlights owned by Southern California Edison, well, all wooden and metal poles are owned by SCE, except for the green metal poles in the Old Town area around Myrtle Avenue. The remaining poles (concrete) are primarily owned by the City. So if you see any burned out bulbs, now you know who to tell. City Public Works: (626) 932-5575; SCE: (800) 611-1911


~ The Fire Department responded to 66 emergency calls from 8 a.m. August 2, to 8 a.m. August 9, including helping Arcadia treat a motorcyclist involved in a crash on the 210 on August 6. The cyclist "received traumatic injuries when he fell from his motorcycle. The victim was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital Trauma Center where he is expected to recover from his injuries."


~ Jim Hunt got the job as police chief, Ochoa writes, because of his "knowledge of the Department, personnel and community, his vision of the future of public safety in Monrovia, his proven leadership over the years, and his engaging management style earned him the job. ... [H]e is a Five Tool Player: he Thinks, he Leads, he Communicates, he knows our Operations, and he is a dedicated Public Servant."


- Brad Haugaard

Portantino's Transparency Legislation

[Press release from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.]



Continuing his efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the State Legislature, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino  (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has introduced an Amendment to the Standing Rules of the Assembly (HR20) calling for all Assembly financial records to be made public.


“Californians deserve the respect of the legislature by having access to how their money is being spent,” said Assemblymember Portantino. “We have used the better part of this legislative year legislating good practices in cities such as Bell and Vernon.  We need to lead by example and not shroud our budgets in secrecy.”


HR 20 requires all current financial records to be made available to the public, not a year from now, but immediately.  The resolution also provides for fairness in budgeting for all members’ office expenses and precludes leadership from either rewarding or punishing a member for voting their conscience.  There can no longer be arbitrary budget action under HR 20.  In addition, it requests that the State Controller conduct annual financial audits.

“Assembly leadership has refused to release current budget details and has not conducted a Performance Audit as required by law,” explained Portantino.  “Further adding insult to the process, the incomplete information released by the Assembly Rules Committee for last year has been discredited by the press.  Unfortunately, Leadership needs to be brought into the sunshine kicking and screaming. Under HR20, the adoption of members’ budgets would be done in an open and public hearing instead of behind closed doors. Not only will members’ budgets be made available, but, all Assembly leadership, committee, caucuses and all administrative budgets for the Assembly will have to be disclosed in comprehensive detail.  It is outrageous, unacceptable and wrong to keep the public in the dark when it comes to spending their money.”


The Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times have filed suit against the Assembly Rules Committee for keeping comprehensive budgets secret from the public.  Like the press, Portantino’s requests for comprehensive budget information have also been denied.


- Brad Haugaard

Ten-Year-Old Monrovia Boy Honored for Cancer Work

Nathan Hickey, 10, of Monrovia, has been honored by Kids Who Give, an organization that recognizes "young people who put their time, energy and hearts into helping people and making the world a better place."
 
Nathan formed Mountain Biking for Pablove to show support for kids with cancer. He rides his mountain bike for Team Pablove in races from March until September, and in October for Pablove Across America. Nathan races to raise awareness of childhood cancer, and in 2009 he raised almost $2,000 with his fundraising campaign.
 
For more about Kids Who Give, visit www.kidswhogive.com.
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia a Leader in Curbing Gangs | Portantino | Adult School | Homeboy

~ According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Monrovia is "emerging as a leader on how to quell gang crime." Baldwin Park is asking for advice. http://goo.gl/9DYm1


~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) defies his own Assembly Democratic leadership by pushing bill to make legislative expenditures public. http://goo.gl/Xoc4S


~ Registration is now open for classes at Monrovia Community Adult School. http://goo.gl/jkB2P


~ Father Gregory Boyle, of Homeboy Industries, will be speaking at the library this Saturday. http://goo.gl/bW8kE


- Brad Haugaard