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Volunteer for Homeless Count in Monrovia

If you'd like to volunteer for the homeless count in Monrovia on Jan. 24, contact the city at ssantos@ci.monrovia.ca.us or at 256-5575. https://goo.gl/fE7z5H

- Brad Haugaard

Stream Full at Monrovia Canyon Park

Stream Full in Monrovia Park The rain has filled the stream at Monrovia Canyon Park. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Council to Consider Sharing Officer With Bradbury; Proposed County Tax; Homeless Count; Street-Cutting; Etc.

At the next Monrovia City Council meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/YyF7uZ ), the council will ...

~ Consider approving a memo of understanding with Bradbury to share the cost of a community services officer, who would investigate "crimes that have already occurred which have little or no workable leads, investigate non-injury traffic collisions, enforce parking restrictions, write crime reports, and handle other public safety related tasks for police officers." https://goo.gl/6fiido

~ Discuss a proposed 1/4-cent sales tax proposed by LA County to fund homeless services, rental subsidies, and housing projects. If passed, the total county sales tax would be 9.5%, the highest county sales tax in the state. https://goo.gl/CMQ0Or

~ Hear a report by City Manager Oliver Chi on the homeless count.

~ Consider - mostly - prohibiting companies from cutting into streets for three to five years following road construction (as is going on now). The idea is that companies should do their under-the-road work before the city fixes the streets rather than just after. https://goo.gl/8h8CVx

~ Consider adding a four-way stop at Scenic and Canyon. https://goo.gl/BQ5Hys (Comment: While you're at it, consider one for the corner of Chestnut and Alta Vista ( https://goo.gl/vMu26I ).

~ Review a report on legislative positions on various water and stormwater topics taken by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government. Here they are: https://goo.gl/e2QirV

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mikomi Sushi

 
Dinner last night at Mikomi Sushi, on Myrtle just below the theater. Got the spicy pork ($14) and a large beer ($6). The pork came with tempura, salad and rice. Excellent!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Someone Broke Into Old Monrovia Train Station; Citation for Shoplifting; Stolen Car Arrest; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 9-11. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 367 service events, resulting in 71 investigations.

Fight in Progress
January 9 at 1:43 p.m., officers responded to a possible fight in progress at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Duarte. The fight involved two male roommates, one of the roommates jumped out the rear apartment window when officers arrived and fled, but officers located him on Duarte Road. Paramedics were called for injuries the subject sustained from the fight with the roommate. Both subjects were uncooperative with the officers, but one agreed to leave the location.

Grand Theft Auto / Violation of Restraining Order / Possession of Access Card – Suspects Arrested
January 9 at 9:59 p.m., an officer ran a computer check on a vehicle and discovered it was a stolen vehicle. The officer followed the vehicle until assisting units could arrive and then a high-risk stop of the vehicle was conducted at Second and California in Arcadia. Two subjects were detained. Computer checks of both subjects revealed they had a domestic violence restraining order in place. The female subject was the protected party and the male was the restrained subject. Both subjects were arrested for the restraining order violation and the female driver was charged with grand theft auto and possession of someone else’s credit card.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
January 9 at 5:17 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision where a vehicle collided at the dead end of Peck, just south of the train station. The driver was not injured and was determined to be driving under the influence. The driver was arrested.

Vehicle Burglary
January 10 at 7:16 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of Monroe Place. The victim parked his vehicle on the street around 3:00 a.m. When he returned to his vehicle later in the morning, he found the interior had been ransacked. A laptop computer and cell phone were taken from the trunk. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
January 11 at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain regarding a subject detained by store loss prevention for shoplifting. The subject concealed merchandise in a tool bag and left the location without paying for the items. The subject was arrested and released on a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Bicycle Theft
January 11 at 1:00 p.m., a bicycle was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. Central. The victim reported that the bicycle was stolen from an unlocked garage. The investigation is continuing.

Bicycle Theft
January 11 at 2:50 p.m., a bicycle was reported stolen from the 600 block of W. Palm. The victim locked his bicycle to a palm tree in his front yard. When he returned, he found his bicycle was gone and the lock was on the grass. The investigation is continuing.

Trespass / Found Property
January 11 at 8:46 p.m., officers were dispatched to a possible trespassing incident at the old Monrovia Train Station. It appears someone pried off a board and possibly made entry into the dwelling. Personal property was located and taken for safe keeping. The investigation is continuing.

Events at Monrovia Library

Friend Speed Dating, story times, homework help, book club, etc. https://goo.gl/Mxsx6S

- Brad Haugaard

Myrtle to Be Closed for Disney Filming | Athens to Take Over Monrovia Graffiti Removal

In his weekly report ( https://goo.gl/uHxhFg ) City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ Monrovia will close Myrtle between Lemon and Colorado on Jan. 16 - and there will be traffic control on Myrtle on Jan. 17 - so Walt Disney Studios can film a movie called "Magic Camp," about a group of middle-school aged kids who go to a camp to learn magic tricks. Filming should be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

~ Athens Services will take over graffiti removal for Monrovia, as it has in other local cities, with the coming retirement of Bill Marino, the city's current graffiti abatement contractor. Same process, though. To report graffiti, call Monrovia's Graffiti Hotline at 836-3654 and leave the location, date, and time that you saw the graffiti.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Company Ripped Off On-Line; Returning Products She Hadn't Bought; Man Punches Windshield; Catalytic Converter Sawn Off; Etc.

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

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Vehicle Tampering / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
January 5 at 7:12 a.m., officers responded to the report of a suspicious male adult pulling on the handles to several parked vehicles in the 100 block of W. Lemon. Officers arrived and located a male subject matching the suspect description. They contacted the subject and noticed he displayed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. A witness identified him as the suspect tampering with vehicles. The suspect was not able to convey a reason why he would be looking into vehicles. He was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and vehicle tampering.

Attempt Burglary
January 5 at 2:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of S. Primrose on the report of an attempt burglary. Officers found that a window pane to the front door of the residence had been shattered, but the door was secure because of a key deadbolt. Officers cleared the residence and the homeowner found that nothing had been disturbed. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 5 at 4:30 p.m., a grand theft was reported at a business in the 1300 block of S. Myrtle. The investigation revealed that a large quantity of merchandise had been ordered online from the business. The suspect had the merchandise shipped out of state. When payment was not received, the victim contacted the alleged buyer, who informed the victim they did not order the merchandise and no product was delivered to them or any of their customers. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
January 5 at 11:10 p.m., a female suspect was reported shoplifting from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue. The suspect entered the business and selected merchandise. She approached the return counter and attempted to complete a return of the store merchandise with an altered identification card, which was denied. She fled the store, but was detained by officers outside. The investigation revealed the suspect was in possession of narcotics, a wallet with stolen identification from Palm Springs and she had an outstanding warrant out of San Bernardino County. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
January 6 at 9:34 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 800 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked and locked her vehicle in the parking lot of the business and went inside. She returned to find her passenger window had been smashed and items had been taken from the front seat of her vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested
January 7 at 11:03 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of N. Shamrock regarding the violation of a restraining order. The parent of the subject being protected by the restraining order called police and reported that his daughter's ex-boyfriend was at the location with his daughter. Officers arrived and located the subjects inside the residence. They arrested the male subject for violation of the restraining order.

Shoplifting / Fraud – Suspects Arrested
January 7 at 11:29 a.m., loss prevention from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report two male suspects attempting to commit fraud. The suspects selected merchandise from inside the store and were attempting to return the merchandise for credit. After the transaction was completed, one suspect was detained by officers, but the second fled the store on foot. Officers gave chase and eventually detained the suspect near Shamrock and Duarte Road. He was arrested and taken into custody without further incident.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
January 7 at 7:08 p.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the area of Magnolia and Huntington. A female and male subject who are boyfriend and girlfriend were involved in a verbal argument that escalated. The boyfriend punched the windshield of the victim’s vehicle, causing damage. The suspect was located driving away from the area and his vehicle was stopped by officers. He was arrested for the vandalism.

Commercial Burglary
January 8 at 10:38 a.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The manager of the business called police to report the front door of the business was unlocked and the store safe was open. Merchandise was taken from the safe. No suspects were located and the investigation is continuing.

Theft of Vehicle Parts
January 8 at 11:31 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block E. Walnut regarding a theft of vehicle parts. The victim reported that someone had cut the catalytic converter off her Toyota Camry sometime during the night. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 8 at 6:29 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 1400 block of Pilgrim Way. The resident left the location at 6:00 p.m., locking and setting the alarm. The alarm company notified police of an activation to the rear door and interior motion. Officers arrived and discovered the rear door had been forced open. No suspects were located and nothing was found missing. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
January 8 at 8:08 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of E. Foothill regarding a burglary. The victim left the location at 4:30 p.m., securing the doors to the residence. The victim returned to find the kitchen window had been forced open and electronic items were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Emergency Training Course to be Held February

Monrovia Fire and Rescue and Monrovia CERT will hold a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training in February 2017.

The training will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on: Saturday, Feb. 4; Saturday, Feb. 11; and Saturday, Feb. 18, at Monrovia Fire Station 102, at 2055 S. Myrtle Ave.

In this CERT class you will develop skills to help you be better prepared to take care of yourself and your family when disaster strikes, no matter where you are - home, work or play. The coursework follows the FEMA curriculum and includes the following subjects:

  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Fire Safety/Fire Suppression
  • Light Search & Rescue
  • Disaster Medical Operations
  • Disaster Psychology
  • Terrorism
  • CERT Organization & Incident Command System

The final day of class includes a disaster drill, giving participants an opportunity to put what they have learned into action.

You must be 18 or over and live or work in Monrovia.

Class size is limited. Participants must pre-register and must complete all three class sessions to receive a certificate.

To register, please email: sdobson@ci.monrovia.ca.us with your name, address and phone number. Please put "CERT Course Registration" in the subject line.

A confirmation email with information on parking and other course details will be sent to you once your registration is complete.

Source: Monrovia Fire Department press release

- Brad Haugaard

A Volcanic Speech At Monrovia Rockhounds Meeting

Alfredo Petrov will speak on, "Collecting minerals on active volcanos in Japan" at the Monrovia Rockhounds meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Methodist Church, 119 E. Palm Ave. He will show pictures of travel on volcanos, rare minerals - including a few rare gemstones from a volcano - and aspects of Japanese culture, so there should be something for those who like mineralogy and those more interested in cultures and travel. Please enter the basement from the driveway on the west side.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at 1776

 
Dinner at the new 1776, a sports bar on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lemon. Got the John Quincy Adams, a buffalo chicken sandwich, for $11 and a beer for $6.  Very good!

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Fence Cutting; Counterfeit; Mail Theft; Son Won't Go Away; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 2-4. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 264 service events, resulting in 37 investigations.

Vandalism
January 2 at 6:09 p.m., a vandalism was reported in the 500 block of N. Alta Vista. The officer responded to the location regarding a damaged fence at a private lot. No one saw how the damage occurred. After reviewing surveillance video, it appeared a male adult was walking his dog up the hill off Sky Way on a private lot. The subject was unable to exit so he cut the chain link fence to exit the property. It is unknown where he entered from. He was last seen walking east down Sky Way and out of view. The investigation is continuing.

Counterfeit US Currency
January 3 at 3:10 p.m., a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called police to report a patron attempting to pass a counterfeit bill. The suspect left the store prior to the police arrival. The suspect opened an account with a name, phone and email prior to making his purchase. As the suspect was leaving, the clerk realized the $100 bill was counterfeit. Further investigation revealed that the information the suspect used to open the store account was false. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
January 3 at 5:13 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington Dr. regarding the theft of a wallet. The victim told the officer she was approached by a female who distracted the victim by asking her information about store products. The suspect was able to take the victim’s wallet from her purse while she was distracted. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
January 4 at 4:48 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation in the area of Foothill and Canyon. Further investigation revealed the subject had a $50,000 warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken to the Monrovia Police Department where he was booked.

Violation of Court Order – Suspect Arrested
January 4 at 10:36 a.m., an officer responded to a call at a residence in the 200 block of Stedman regarding a violation of a court order. The Victim was a parent who served her son with a restraining order to stay away from the residence. The adult son was served and refused to leave the property. The subject was arrested for the violation of court order.

Mail Theft
January 4 at 4:14 p.m., a resident called the police to report a female subject was stealing mail in the 500 block of Norumbega. The female was seen running with the mail to an awaiting mid-size, silver truck. The vehicle sped off south on Norumbega. The suspect was a female Hispanic between 20-30 years old wearing a white sweatshirt and pants. The officers checked the area for the suspects but were unable to locate them. The investigation is continuing.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
January 4 at 7:58 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle regarding a suspicious subject. Officers contacted the subject and an investigation revealed the subject was too intoxicated and unable to take care of himself. The suspect was arrested.

Profile of Monrovia Street Fair's Pianist

The story of a popular Old Town Monrovia street musician, Dr. Adam Kendall, the man with the piano and the little white dog. Touching. https://goo.gl/TzlgIb

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Investigate Apparent Gang Shooting | Christmas Trees | Martin Luther King Art Project | Etc.

In his weekly report ( https://goo.gl/c830nc ), City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ Police are investigating an apparent gang shooting on Dec. 28. "At 1:15 a.m., at 1324 S. Alta Vista Avenue, a male Hispanic and a female were walking in front of the identified location. A vehicle with three as of yet unidentified African American suspects pulled up, and the individuals were reported to have yelled out 'Duroc,' in reference to the Duroc Crips gang." Chi says five shots were fired at the victims from a 9 mm pistol and the man was struck in the foot and in the upper leg. So, a) be careful, and b) call the Monrovia Police Department if you know anything about this or if you see anything out of the ordinary.

~ Athens will collect Christmas trees on the curbside through Jan. 8. Just place it on the curbside on your regular trash collection day. It would be helpful if you would first remove all ornaments, tinsel, plastic bags, nails, lights, and plastic/metal stands.

~ To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monrovia is coordinating a two-part community public art project centered around the theme of, Dreams for our Children. For children and adults. Details: https://goo.gl/c830nc

~ Renovation work at the Historic Santa Fe train depot will begin this month.

~ The State of the City event will be Monday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m., at the Krikorian Theatre. Details to come.

~ Assembly Member Holden is asking for nominations for his office's Women of Distinction award. If you know someone, here are the details: https://goo.gl/c830nc

- Brad Haugaard

Tree Crunches Car on West Lime


Elizabeth Carlton Chase sent me this photo of the tree-fall on the 300 block of West Lime. She writes that it's "incredible that no one was injured or killed."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Wife Choking; Bolt Cutter Theft; Suspect Reportedly Asks for Burglary Tools Back; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 29 – January 1, 2017. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Residential Burglary
December 29 at 6:56 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of Sutter Creek Street. When officers arrived they discovered the front door was wide open and the glass door on the back side of the residence was shattered. The officers searched the residence but did not locate any suspects and the residence did not appear to be ransacked. The loss could not be determined until the owners take inventory. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
December 30 at 12:53 a.m., an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation at the intersection of Myrtle and Huntington. When contacting the driver, the officer believed the driver might be under the influence of alcohol and after completing her investigation, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and taken to the station for booking.

Felony Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 30 at 1:49 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 block of East Walnut when he noticed a known subject he thought had a warrant. Further investigation revealed the subject had a felony warrant. The subject was stopped and arrested per the authority of the warrant.

Driving Under the Influence / Unlicensed Driver – Suspect Arrested
December 30 at 1:57 a.m., an officer was in the area of Huntington and Magnolia when he stopped a driver for a vehicle code violation. When the officer contacted the driver, he saw symptoms of intoxication. After conducting an investigation, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and it was discovered he was driving without a license. The driver was arrested and taken to the station for booking.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 30 at 7:12 p.m., an officer on patrol was in the area of Myrtle & Chestnut when he observed a subject he recognized from prior contacts. A warrant check revealed the subject had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested without incident.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
December 30 at 11:09 p.m., an officer responded to a lobby call at the Monrovia Police Department regarding a domestic violence that occurred in the 200 block of East Central. A husband and wife went out to have dinner with their 15 year old daughter and were arguing on their way back home. Once the couple got home, they continued arguing and the male half wrapped his arm around his wife's neck causing her to choke for a moment and leave a red mark. The daughter witnessed the incident and drove to the station with her mom to report it. An officer went to the location and arrested the male half for domestic violence.

Grand Theft
December 31 at 9:29 a.m., an officer responded to the report of a theft in the 800 block of East Huntington Dr. Surveillance footage shows a male white suspect using bolt cutters to break the coin dispenser at the drive-thru carwash. The suspect reached up into the machine and took over $1,000 worth of bills from the machine. The suspect was in a silver 2-door Chevrolet sedan with damage to the front. The investigation is continuing.

Tree Emergency
December 31 at 10:45 p.m., a caller reported a large tree on private property fell over and struck three parked vehicles and blocked the entire street in the 300 block of W. Lime. Officers arrived and made contact with the owners of the tree and parked vehicles. Public works responded and began cutting the tree limbs to open the lanes of travel for Lime Ave. In addition to the major damage to the vehicles, the sidewalk was also uprooted in front of the residence.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 10:45 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Colorado called police to report a subject banging on her window. Officers arrived and made contact with a male subject and a computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
December 31 at 11:17 p.m., an officer responded to a call in the 300 block of S. Myrtle regarding an intoxicated subject who was attending the New Year’s Eve event in Old Town Monrovia. The officer determined the subject was very intoxicated and unable to care for himself. The subject was taken into custody, booked and held for a sobering period.

Battery Report
January 1 at 1:53 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 100 block of W. Olive to a report of a fight in progress. Officers arrived and investigation revealed some type of altercation between an employee and a patron took place and it is alleged the patron was battered. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspects Arrested
January 1 at 3:36 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a vehicle in the 900 block of S. Myrtle commit a vehicle code violation. The officer stopped the driver of the vehicle and upon contact noticed obvious signs of alcohol intoxication. Further investigation revealed the suspect was driving while intoxicated and he was arrested. The passenger in the vehicle was also arrested for being drunk in public.

Suspicious Circumstances
January 1 at 3:51 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of Heather Heights Ct. called to report a male subject was attempting to gain access into her back yard. The subject was described as wearing all black with a large dark jacket. The resident turned on her yard lights and it scared the subject away. Officers searched the area but did not locate anyone. Officers located a bag on the resident’s property that contained burglary tools.

On January 1 at 11:32 a.m., officers responded back to a call from the same resident in the 300 block of Heather Heights regarding a suspicious subject. The subject knocked on the resident’s front door and asked for his tools back, he told the resident he was their neighbor from a nearby street. The subject became upset when the resident told the subject that the police had his tools. The subject quickly left and got into a white Toyota Yaris driven by a female and headed toward Scenic. Officers located the female driver in the 500 block of W. Lime and investigation revealed she had warrants. The female suspect was arrested. While fleeing the area the male subject dropped a backpack he was carrying. There appeared to be stolen property inside the backpack. The investigation is continuing.

B1 Over Monrovia

Some nice pictures of the Stealth bomber flying over Monrovia this morning at Gem City Images. https://goo.gl/IH5N8h

- Brad Haugaard

1776 Gastro Pub Opens in Monrovia

 
1776 - All American Gastro Pub, has opened on the east side of Myrtle just south of Lemon.
 
- Brad Haugaard 

Happy New Year, Monrovia!

 
The crowd is a bit sparse at the New Year's Eve Celebration, but the rain has stopped, the band is playing, and the night is still young. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at La Adelita

 
Dinner last night at La Adelita, on the south side of Colorado a half block east of Myrtle. I got the Carne con Pappas (potatoes) for $11.99 and a beer for $3 (happy hour price).  Tasty and filling. Had to take a couple of the tortillas home.

- Brad Haugaard