No Shared Lyft Rides Through April

GoMonrovia's Lyft program is no longer offering shared rides (social distancing) but  the classic ride option is still available for $3. The non-shared-ride policy will remain in effect until April 30.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Girlfriend Arrested for Attacking Boyfriend; Shoplifting; Vehicles Stolen

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 12-18. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 311 service events, resulting in 40 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 13 at 3:55 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 1100 block of E. Royal Oaks. A motorist was attempting to park along the curb, but misjudged her speed and collided into two parked vehicles. Officers responded and spoke with the driver. A DUI investigation was conducted and the driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 13 at 5:37 p.m., two motorists were involved in an injury traffic collision near the intersection of Maple and Ivy. One vehicle was heading south on Ivy and the other was heading east in an alley off of Maple and failed to yield when entering the intersection. Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 13 at 10:18 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 900 block of E. Huntington when he saw a motorist commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was informed of why he was pulled over. A computer check of the driver revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The driver was issued a citation in the field for the warrant and released.

Battery
March 13 at 11:58 p.m., an employee from a business in the 900 block of W. Foothill called police to report subjects were fighting at the location. When officers arrived, one of the vehicles had left the location with two subjects in it. An officer spotted the vehicle and stopped it. It was occupied by two females, who had admitted to being at the business. Another female stayed at the business and had visible injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 14 at 12:56 p.m., two motorists were involved in a traffic collision in the 3000 block of S. Peck. A motorist pulled out of a driveway, failing to yield to oncoming traffic, and struck a motorist traveling south on Peck.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 14 at 6:57 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Palm called to report his girlfriend had hit him in the face. Officers arrived and spoke to both parties. The couple was involved in an argument that escalated and the female subject struck the male subject in the face several times, scratched his upper body, and kicked him. She also had bruising on her arms due to him trying to restrain her. Both parties said she was the aggressor. The female subject was arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody.

Shoplifting
March 14 at 8:10 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a female subject was stopped outside the store with stolen items hidden in a duffel bag. The female gave the duffel bag with the stolen items back to the store employee, but refused to come back inside to wait for police. She left prior to the police arriving. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 15 at 4:18 p.m., a caller reported a motorist had collided into a pedestrian and then into another vehicle while backing in the parking lot of a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers responded along with Monrovia Paramedics. The pedestrian had minor injuries and did not want to be transported to a hospital.

Residential Burglary
March 16 at 5:16 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Foothill arrived home from work and discovered someone had burglarized his home. Officers arrived and found no suspects were in the house or the area. The house had been ransacked and the loss was unknown at the time. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
March 17 at 4:58 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Poppy arrived home and discovered his attached garage had been burglarized. The garage was locked and the locking lever had been broken to gain access. Several items were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
March 17 at 6:09 p.m., a caller reported her pickup truck was stolen from a parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
March 18 at 4:06 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 3000 block of Peck Road. The victim reported his van was stolen thirty minutes prior. Officers responded and the investigation is continuing.

School Meals - Details

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Adds Distance Learning to Website

Monrovia Schools has added a "Distance Learning Platform" section to its website, with sections for Parents & Guardians, Students, and Educators. In both English and Spanish. Here it is: https://is.gd/kVIilh

- Brad Haugaard

Assistance for Small Businesses Hit By Coronavirus

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Monrovia, suggests small businesses check out these sources of assistance:

US Small Business Administration

LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs

- Brad Haugaard

Questions and Answers About Coronavirus and Water

More about how water is not a problem from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia: https://is.gd/L4aFHR

- Brad Haugaard

City Council May Consider Relief for Business and Residential Renters

In response to the Coronavirus emergency, City Council member Alexander Blackburn has suggested an ordinance that would prevent landlords of businesses that have to be shut down due to the virus - restaurants and bars, for example - not to be allowed to evict their tenants, and allow the tenant to pay 50% rent for the next couple months, then require that shortfall be paid to the landlord by the tenant over three months after they are allowed to reopen.

He also suggested a similar plan for residential tenants.

Blackburn further suggested that maybe regulations governing businesses that are shut down may be loosened a bit when they are allowed back in business. For example, perhaps allow them to operate for longer hours for a period of time.

He would like an emergency city council meeting next week to discuss what can be done.

- Brad Haugaard

A Remote City Council Meeting

Very strange city council meeting tonight. Only one member of the city council, Alexander Blackburn, was physically present, but the others were connected remotely. The remote ones are, Blackburn said, the "at risk" members.

- Brad Haugaard

Questions and Answers - Tap Water and Coronavirus

Questions and answers from Monrovia's water district on the safety of tap water: https://is.gd/kvXK8J

 Executive summary: Tap water looks fine.

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus: Local Supermarket Hours

Here are the Coronavirus hours of local supermarkets and bigger stores that sell groceries. (Click through on links if you want to make sure times have not changed.)

99 Ranch Market (Arcadia) 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Aldi 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Baja Ranch 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Dollar Tree Mon - Sat: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Good Fortune Supermarket, Duarte and 6th, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (I'm a bit doubtful of these hours)

Grocery Outlet (Duarte) M-F: 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat-Sun: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

H Mart (Arcadia) 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Ralphs 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Smart & Final 8 a.m.-8 p.m. except Monday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sprouts 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Target 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Trader Joe's 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Vons 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Walmart 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

School District Adjusts to Distance Learning

Good Evening Monrovia Community,

On this first day of student dismissal, I wanted to share with you that all staff members were working tirelessly to develop instructional material for your children. As every day seems to bring us new information and guidelines from the county, state, and federal government, all staff members focused on ensuring that students had the resources they need today. For that reason, the Chromebook distribution became one of today’s top priorities.

Below is some specific information that may be of assistance:

• WiFi: Both Spectrum and Giggle Fiber are offering free internet service for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband or Giggle Fiber subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Click HERE for more information.
• Instruction: Instructional materials should either have been distributed via hard copy or available through the online platform recommended by classroom teachers. We encourage you to follow a consistent daily schedule for studies. Please visit our website for more information regarding the instructional platform and updated information regarding COVID-19.
• Meals: We are continuing to provide meals to our students. Click HERE for more information.
• Vigilance at home: Please encourage your children to continue practicing good respiratory etiquette, including avoiding large gatherings, covering coughs and sneezes, and regular handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Facilities: We are using this break as an opportunity to conduct extensive, deep cleaning of all our facilities, including each school. When students return to school, facilities will be completely disinfected and ready for instruction.Additionally, the Foothill Unity Center has assured us that its services are available to all families.

Once again, we know this dismissal poses significant challenges for all members of our community. Please know that we are doing our utmost to minimize its impact. We appreciate your many offers of support to address this unprecedented challenge together.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

Spectrum and Giggle Fiber Offer Free Internet Service for Students

Both Spectrum and Giggle Fiber are offering free internet service for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband or Giggle Fiber subscription. https://is.gd/aM5Be3

- Brad Haugaard

City May Ban Coronavirus Evictions; Access to City Hall Being Limited; Canyon Park, Hillside Preserve Reopening

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~ The city will consider these measures, lasting until April 30:

• Banning landlord evictions for reasons related to COVID-19
• Waiving late payment penalties for unpaid water bills
• Waiving water shutoffs
• Waiving parking citations (except for parking that's hazardous to the public)

~ Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, the city will begin limiting public access to city hall, police station, fire station and public works administration building. Feik said this is to "ensure employees are safe, remain a safe distance from those who are ill, and ensure we can continue providing public services throughout the duration of this emergency and beyond."

~ The city will reopen Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve tomorrow, March 17 to "provide much needed mental and physical wellness benefits to Monrovians."

- Brad Haugaard

County Orders Bars, Clubs, Theaters, Entertainment and Fitness Centers to be Closed

To prevent further spread of COVID-19, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, announced additional precautions on Monday for all cities and unincorporated communities throughout Los Angeles County.

All bars, clubs, theaters, entertainment centers, and fitness centers are ordered to be closed until further notice. Restaurants will be permitted to serve take out or delivery food only and grocery stores may remain open.

Gatherings of more than 50 people are strongly discouraged, in accordance with directions from the Centers for Disease Control.

“This is a constantly-evolving issue and we appreciate everyone doing their part to help stem the further spread of the virus,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “We’re moving into the next phase of preventative measures and do not make these decisions lightly.”

Closures will have an impact on thousands of employees, employers, and businesses. Supervisor Barger plans to work on eviction relief for any individuals who may be impacted by closures and restrictions of public gatherings. This may include a moratorium on evictions for residential tenants and small businesses in unincorporated areas of the County until further direction from the state and federal governments on available funding.

The County plans to assist small businesses in applying for loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Los Angeles County would like to work with utility and service providers to waive late fees and forgo service disconnections for tenants and small businesses who have been impacted. Additionally, the County will consider collaborating with banks and mortgage lenders to waive late fees, forgo notices of default and delay other actions to foreclose on property.

“This is a dynamic issue that has an impact on each one of us – personally, professionally, and economically,” Supervisor Barger said. “By working together and heeding the advice of our public health professionals, we will get through this.”

To serve those in need, L.A. County is examining options for additional assistance, such as food through the Cal-Fresh program and other support measures.

For those who need medical attention, Los Angeles County is working in collaboration with health care partners to provide essential medical services through telemedicine.

Essential County employees, including first responders and health care workers, will continue to serve the community. All Los Angeles County buildings are closed to the public and all non-essential meetings and events have been canceled.

Source: Kathryn Bargar press release: https://is.gd/oP8Bwe

- Brad Haugaard

Local Water District Says Water Is Fine

Tap water is just fine. That's the message from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia. An announcement from the district says:

"Please know the facts about your local water supply. Our local water supply is one of the safest in the country due to the high water quality standards imposed by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Trust the Tap and know that your local water agencies are working hard to protect and ensure a sustainable supply for our region."

- Brad Haugaard

Supporting Local Restaurants

Ikonicks sent me this notice and the message, “Please, we are totally empty.”

I suspect many Monrovia restaurants face the same problems. And many offer food to go or food delivery. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia YMCA Closed Starting Today

The Santa Anita Family YMCA has announced that effective today, Monday, March 16, its entire fitness, pool, locker rooms, gymnasium facilities, and youth programs center will be "SHUT DOWN / CLOSED" through at least March 31, 2020.

- Brad Haugaard

Vons Looks Semi-Normal

With the exception of being cleaned out of paper towels, Vons looks pretty normal at about 4 p.m. today. I saw it when it opened at 7 a.m. and there was a crowd, Hopefully things are getting back to normal.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Schools Still Serving Meals

School Board member Rob Hammond reports that though Monrovia schools are closed for classes, they will still be preparing meals for students who usually get them. Available from the school closest to the student's home. Schedule:

• Breakfast  8-9 a.m.
• Lunch noon to 1 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

New Owners at Mooncat Restaurant

Mooncat restaurant changes ownership. (Thanks to Kelly Moran.)

- Brad Haugaard