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Monrovia Police: Lots of Graffiti, Fighting (with Bats?), 17 Pairs of Pants, Shoplifting, Drugs, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 5-8. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
 
Vandalism
April 12 at 8:50 a.m., a caller reported an incident of vandalism in the 1800 block of South California.  The suspect(s) used a marker to write on a potted plant in front of a business building and on the windshield of two company trucks.  The investigation is continuing.
                                       
Vandalism
April 12 at 9:36 a.m., an incident of vandalism was reported in the 1800 block of South California.  Suspect(s) used a marker to write on some decorative glass next to the front door of a business.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales - Two Suspects Arrested
April 12 at 9:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a gun found in a room.  The housekeepers found a loaded gun on the bed in one of the rooms and notified management, who then notified police.  Officers responded and were in the room when the two occupants returned.  Officers received consent to search the room.  Bindles of heroin, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and money were located in the room.  Both occupants were arrested and both admitted the drugs belonged to them. 
 
Vandalism
April 12 at 9:46 a.m., graffiti was reported in the 300 block of Wildrose.  The suspect(s) used white spray paint to write on the south wall of a garage.   Investigation continuing.  
 
Vandalism
April 12 at 11:44 a.m., an officer responded to the report of vandalism in the 300 block of East Lime.  Suspect(s) used white spray paint to write graffiti on playground equipment in a park.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
April 12 at 2:58 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a vehicle burglary which occurred in the 500 block of Parkrose.  The victim parked her vehicle and went into the elementary school to pick up her child.  She was gone approximately 10 minutes.  When she returned to her vehicle, she found a window was smashed and her purse, which was on the front seat under a blanket, was taken from the vehicle.  Investigation continuing.
 
Fight in Progress
April 12 at 4:53 p.m., officers responded to the report of approximately 10 subjects fighting at a park in the area of Shamrock and Colorado.  The caller reported some of the subjects were holding bats, and that a tan or brown pickup truck had fled the scene.  Officers arrived in the area, but did not see a fight.  They detained several subjects in the park.  They were identified and released.
 
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 12 at 7:52 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a male subject in custody for shoplifting.  The subject had entered the store, selected several items which he concealed on his person, and exited without paying.  He was arrested and booked for the charges. 
  
Vandalism
April 13 at 4:36 p.m., graffiti was reported on the northeast curb in the area of Cypress and Sherman.  The suspect(s) had written on the curb.
 
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 13 at 6:51 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington reported a subject who had shoplifted went into a location at Magnolia and Chestnut.  The Special Enforcement Team and patrol officers responded, located the suspect and detained him.  He was positively identified as the suspect.  He had no money on his person to pay for the items taken.  The suspect was arrested for burglary and taken into custody.
 
Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
April 14 at 3:39 p.m., police responded to the report of three male subjects acting suspiciously in an alley in the 200 block of South Heliotrope.  One subject appeared to be acting as a lookout.  Officers arrived and found fresh graffiti in the 600 block of Wildrose.  A detective, who was in the area of Wildrose and California, observed three subjects matching the suspects' description and detained them.  
 
One of the subjects detained had a used can of white spray paint in his waistband and fresh paint on his shorts.  The paint matched the fresh paint on the structure in the 600 block of Wildrose.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.  He was later determined to be on probation for a prior graffiti vandalism case.  The suspect is a juvenile and was later released on citation to his mother.
 
The reporting party was advised of the Monrovia Police Department's Graffiti Bounty Program and will be receiving $100 for reporting this incident of graffiti, which led to the arrest of the suspect. 
 
Fraud / Parolee at Large - Suspects Arrested
April 16 at 1:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington.  Hotel management was having a dispute with two of their guests about a declined credit card number.  Upon further investigation, the officer discovered the male guest was a parolee at large.  His female companion was found to be in possession of a vehicle filled with fraudulent federal, state, and miscellaneous documents.  Both subjects were arrested for the appropriate charges.
 
 
Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity
 
On April 11, Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a suspicious vehicle leaving a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain for vehicle code violations.  The rear passenger ducked down and hid as the officers attempted to stop the vehicle.  The right rear passenger was found to have a glass cocaine smoking pipe in his possession.  He was arrested for the drug paraphernalia and four outstanding warrants for his arrest.  Seventeen pairs of Dockers pants were recovered from the vehicle, which appeared brand new with labels attached.  The driver and passengers did not claim the pants.  They were taken for observation, pending further investigation. 

210 Closure Tonight

The 210 eastbound will be closed tonight, April 16, for building the bridge mold, into which the concrete will be poured, between midnight and 5 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

From Memphis to Monrovia | Early Monrovia News Clips

~ Video: A Tennessee church, Engage Memphis, helped with the funding to plant the new Fellowship Monrovia church that meets at the Community Center. http://goo.gl/Im1mw
~ Snippets from early-days Monrovia newspapers. http://goo.gl/OBaZS
- Brad Haugaard

Video of Food Truck Association Lawsuit Vs. Monrovia

Video about the lawsuit by the Southern California Mobile Food Vendor's Association against Monrovia. http://goo.gl/jO3zu


- Brad Haugaard

Free Gardening Workshop for Monrovia | World Vision


~ Free Smart Gardening Workshop at Recreation Park, next to the entrance of the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, April 21, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Info about composting, grass recycling, water and fire-wise gardening, fruit harvesting and native plant selection. Monrovians will be able to buy discount compost bins. Plus, free mulch while it lasts. Bring a shovel, gloves, and containers for mulch. Call Environmental Services at 932-5553 for further details. http://goo.gl/YTq4x


~ Monrovia relief agency, World Vision, reports that "nsufficient rains in Somalia threaten to reverse gains made since last year’s famine." http://goo.gl/R16lu


- Brad Haugaard


Video: Monrovia's Senator Talks About Tax Revenue and Pension Reform

In his Capitol Comment video, Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, talks about lower-than-expected tax revenue and pension reform. http://goo.gl/uhdZm


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Maybe Losing $2.37 Million, Buying iPads,Kindergarten, Honoring Employees


At its Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m. meeting (agenda here: http://goo.gl/my38G ), the Monrovia School Board will ...

~ Hear a budget report that estimates (assuming Governor Jerry Brown's proposed tax measure fails) that the district will lose $2.37 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year, down to $33.99 million from 2011-12. Lots of detail here: http://goo.gl/hZWzd

~ Consider a resolution allowing Monrovia schools to piggyback on Glendale schools contract with Apple Computer. http://goo.gl/5eFdI

~ And, probably not coincidentally, consider buying Apple iPads and accessories as part of its digital classroom initiative. Cost: $230,398.91. http://goo.gl/15N6x

~ Hear a report on the Kindergarten Readiness Act, which (though I'm not sure I'm reading it right) seems to allow the district to offer kindergarten in 2012-13 to children born between September 1 and December 2, 2007. This would be part of a two-year kindergarten program. And, no, the state is not currently offering any funding for it. http://goo.gl/CQLvP

~ Consider a resolution declaring May 16 as "Staff Appreciation Day," May 9 as "Day of the Teacher," and May 20-26 as "Classified School Employee Week." http://goo.gl/8xIRd

The Underbelly of the Bridge



The Gold Line crew has been installing the formwork for the bridge superstructure over the 210 near Santa Anita. "Here you see how the installed forms are beginning to shape the rounded sides and underbelly envisioned by the design concept advisor." http://goo.gl/i4UDj

Video of Shrike Mini-Copter Made by Monrovia's AeroVironment

Video of AeroVironment's Shrike mini-copter at a demonstration at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. http://goo.gl/dLYYH

Monrovia Neighborhoods | Quinoa Recipes for Trader Joe's | MWH Labs

~ Monrovia is looking for stories about neighborhoods around town to feature in its Monrovia Area Partnership newsletter. Submit story (50-200 words), full name, physical address, email address, and phone number to MAP@ci.monrovia.ca.us . http://goo.gl/tV9e7
 
~ Monrovia's Trader Joe's has launched its "Quintessential Quinoa Recipe Contest." Winning recipes will be featured on TJ's website to showcase quinoa's versatility. http://goo.gl/htjW9
 
~ MWH Laboratories of Monrovia recently became one of the first water and wastewater laboratories in the US to meet all proficiency testing requirements by the Environmental Protection Agency. http://goo.gl/C5WQM
 
- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Meringue


Lunch at Meringue. Just east of Myrtle on Colorado. Got a soup and half sandwich combo with clam chowder and pan con lechon (pork) sandwich with plantain chips, and since it is mostly a bakery (with Cuban overtones) I got an apple strudel as well. Very nice. I enjoyed it all.

Baseball: Monrovia 2, San Marino 1 :-)

Monrovia Wildcats beat San Marino Titans in baseball. http://goo.gl/DCPAg
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Jazz Band Fundraiser at T Phillips


There will be a fundraiser for the Monrovia High Jazz Band at T Phillips on Thursday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The Jazz Band will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the Alumni Jazz band will perform from 8 to 9 p.m.  Print out the accompanying flyer to give the band a 15 percent kickback when you eat at T Phillips.
- Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser for Relay for Life of Monrovia | Fishing Shop Opens

~ Relay for Life of Monrovia reports on its Facebook page that Merengue Restaurant, at 110 East Colorado in Monrovia, will have a fund raiser for Relay for Life on Sunday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No flyers needed, just mention Relay when ordering pastries or a meal and a percent will be donated to Relay for Life.
 
~ Wil's Sport and Tackle opens Friday, April 13. The fishing shop is at 310 S. Myrtle. http://goo.gl/Eikve 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Honorees

At its April 17 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will honor ...

~ Firefighter Mike Bailey, who "has always been a hard working, dedicated and giving individual, helping people whenever he can. Those efforts continued through several more projects with Rebuilding Together- Los Angeles and earned him the Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteer Award, as well as a letter of Commendation from President Obama. Mike continues to work with Rebuilding Together- Los Angeles helping preserve affordable housing while revitalizing communities within the region, along with his many success within the Monrovia Fire Department."

~ Girl Scout Leaders Joan Stiegelmar, Vicke Thrower, and Joyce Santillan "for their contributions to the community and its youth through their dedicated service as volunteers and leaders with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles."
 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council to Consider Tax Break for New Car Dealership

At its April 17 meeting, the Monrovia City Council will consider giving a proposed new car dealership at 1305 S. Mountain a 50 percent cut on its taxes, up to a max of $750,000, to help it set up shop selling Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. City staff is recommending doing this because "new dealerships require a significant amount of tenant improvements."
 
Also on the agenda: approve the employment agreement with the new city manager, trash hauling, workers compensation, and a federal anti-drug grant.
 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Video: Chronicle of Development of AeroVironment's Hummingdrone


A cool DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) video of the development by Monrovia's AeroVironment of its cool hummingbird drone. http://goo.gl/9N9vu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Day Coming Up in May

The schedule for Monrovia Day, which is Monrovia’s Birthday:

Saturday, May 12: Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
 
Sunday, May 13: Mother’s Day Old Home Tour
 
Saturday, May 19
~ 7 a.m.- Monrovia Fountain to the Falls 7 mile run/walk
~ 10 a.m.- Monrovia Day Parade down Myrtle Avenue
~ 12 p.m.- Activities in Library Park including Dunk tank and activities in Old Town
~ 1 p.m.- Monrovia city-wide spelling bee
~ 4 p.m.- Concert in Library Park
 
 
- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Fire Department Will Provide New Emergency Respiratory Care

The Fire Department has received approval from the LA County Emergency Medical Services Agency to begin using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), a medical procedure for patients having trouble breathing. The department will purchase new equipment to provide this care by the end of this month.


From the Fire Department report:


This new procedure has been shown to have a dramatic positive impact on survivability and recovery of patients suffering asthma attacks, congestive heart failure and other respiratory ailments.  Each Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician has been taught the signs and symptoms of patients that meet CPAP and specialized equipment has been ordered that will be carried on all of the Paramedic units. 




- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia City Council Hears Proposal for Prep Work Around Coming Gold Line Station

The City Council met with City Staff to listen to a proposal set forth by the IMA group.   The IMA group is a landscape design team responsible for the public improvements around the Paragon housing development as well as extensive work for other cities and private companies, including the Disney Hotel renovation and the City of Perris Transit Station. IMA proposed potential designs for new medians, increased landscaping, improved lighting, and traffic calming mechanisms.  The project includes improvements such as underground utilities, improved intersections along Duarte Road, California Avenue and Myrtle Avenue, and much needed landscaping along the entrances to the 210 freeway.
 
 
- Brad Haugaard