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Monrovia Area Partnership Block Party June 24
Monrovia Area Partnership is celebrating it's 17th year with a free block party on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Julian Fisher Park (915 S. California Ave.). Free food, live music, carnival games, an information fair, raffle prizes. For questions, email map@ci.monrovia.ca.us.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Jewelry Ripped Off of Woman; Pooping in Public; Five Mental Evaluations; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 18 – 24. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 374 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.
Vehicle Burglary
May 18 at 12:53 p.m., a victim in the 100 block of E. Foothill called to report that her vehicle was burglarized and the suspects were fleeing the location. Officers arrived and were unable to locate the suspects. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
May 18 at 6:35 p.m., a caller in the 1900 block of S. Peck reported a male subject loitering. Officers arrived and located the male subject. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vehicle Burglary
May 19 at 8:40 a.m., a victim in the 500 block of King called to report that her vehicle had been broken into some time overnight. A compartment was opened and the interior of the vehicle was ransacked. This investigation is continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 19 at 7:17 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Greystone reported a motorist collided into his home's fence and fled the scene, two days prior. This investigation is continuing.
Strong-arm Robbery
May 20 at 4:12 p.m., a female subject in the 400 block of Royal Oaks called to report that she had been robbed of jewelry around her neck. She was outside in the front yard of her home doing yard work when an unknown male and female stopped a car in front of her house. The female exited, made small talk with the victim, then physically restrained her as she tore the jewelry from the victim's neck. This investigation is continuing.
Defecating in Public
May 20 at 9:34 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of King Street reported a male adult had just squatted and defecated on her front lawn. Officers searched the area for the suspect, but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 12:45 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Myrtle and Montana when he saw a motorist commit vehicle violations. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver displayed sings of being intoxicated. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Grand Theft Auto
May 21 at 6:08 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of S. California reported his vehicle was stolen overnight. The victim parked his vehicle on the street when he returned in the morning his vehicle was missing. This investigation is continuing.
Burglary / Residential
May 21 at 8:55 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Maple reported someone had broken into his house during the night and stole property. This investigation is continuing.
Arson – Suspect Arrested
May 21 at 12:20 p.m., a witness in the 1200 block of S. Mayflower reported a male subject had lit an abandoned couch on fire. Officers and MFD responded and put out the fire. A subject was located matching the description. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vandalism / Graffiti
May 22 at 11:50 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of W. Foothill reported graffiti on her property. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 22 at 12:27 p.m., a caller in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported a disturbed subject. Officers arrived and determined the subject was a danger to himself. He was transported to a local facility for a mental evaluation.
Mental Evaluation
May 22 at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of W. Duarte to assist MFD with an injured male adult. Officers contacted to subject who was bleeding due to a bicycle crash. Officers requested MFD for treatment and they responded. The subject did not want to be treated or transported to the hospital. The subject then told one of the officers he wanted to harm himself. It was determined that he was a danger to himself and was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Injury Traffic Collision
May 23 at 6:43 p.m., a juvenile on a bicycle collided with the front of a vehicle in the area of Hillcrest and Melrose. He suffered injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Vehicle Burglary in Progress – Suspect Arrested
May 24 at 2:12 a.m., a witness reported a burglary in progress in the area of Chestnut and Monterey. Officers arrived and caught the suspect in the act. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Grand Theft
May 24 at 5:09 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of S. Ivy reported her catalytic converter was stolen from her work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Commercial Burglary
May 24 at 6:09 a.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Pomona reported someone had broken into their construction site during the night and took multiple items. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft Auto Recovery
May 24 at 12:37 p.m., an abandoned vehicle was reported in the 3300 block of S. Peck. Officers arrived and a computer check revealed the vehicle was reported stolen out of Alhambra. The vehicle was taken out of the stolen vehicle database. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 24 at 3:39 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Monroe reported their family member was suffering from PTSD and wanted help. Officers arrived and the subject decided to voluntarily be transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Mental Evaluation
May 24 at 5:16 p.m., a caller in the 300 block of N. Primrose reported their elderly father who suffers from a medical condition was attacking family members because he thought they were after him. The subject was placed on a hold and transported to an area hospital for a mental evaluation.
Vandalism
May 24 at 7:51 p.m., a victim in the 700 block of E. Los Angeles reported their vehicle was vandalized. This investigation is continuing.
House Fire
May 24 at 8:53 p.m., a resident in the 1400 block of Alamitas reported a kitchen fire. Officers and MFD responded and MFD was able to extinguish the fire. An adjacent unit had smoke come in but it was not damaged. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 24 at 9:47 p.m., a disturbance was reported in the 500 block of Bradbury regarding a male subject suffering from a mental health problem. Officers arrived and determined he was a danger to others. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Grand Theft
May 24 at 10:30 p.m., a victim in the 300 block of S. Sunset reported her catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Residential Burglary
May 24 at 10:53 p.m., a neighbor in the 100 block of Rose reported a possible burglary. Officers arrived and found a rear window had been shattered and the home was ransacked. This investigation is continuing.
Civil Rights Leader Grew Up in Monrovia to Escape Dangers in Alabama
One-Time Monrovian, Rev. John M. Perkins
By Dr. David Campbell
centurydental.com
The Rev. John M. Perkins, an important civil rights author, was raised in Monrovia to escape dangers in Alabama that led to the death of his brother, Clyde.
It's hard to summarize the significance of Rev. John M. Perkins' life in the civil rights movement. It can said that his renowned book, Let Justice Roll Down, revived civil rights as a movement in the 1970s when the momentum was waning nationally following the 1968 assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King. While the nation reeled from this loss, Perkins focused on the role of churches and their members in helping overcome prejudice and encouraged inner city development for the restoration of oppressed lives across the country.
Perkins was born in Hebron, Alabama in 1930. In 1947 his older brother Clyde was killed by a police officer under suspicious circumstances. His family moved him to a safer community in California. In the 1950s census, John M. Perkins lived at 126 S. Canyon Blvd. in Monrovia, California, in a home torn down in the 1970s to make room for a small apartment. While prejudices existed in Monrovia, too, the community was much safer for John than Hebron.
In Let Justice Roll Down, Perkins describes his conversion to Christianity in 1957, after he served in the Korean War. He went on to lead a civil rights movement with a church focus across the country. Let Justice Roll Down became a best seller and is standard reading for the Christian church in America as the pendulum swings from social justice and back to evangelicalism every few years. Perkins has led hundreds of thousands of people in justice marches, including one from Los Angeles to San Diego in the early 2000s. Perkins advocates peaceful economic development and inner city health care access as core movements for progress.
Today, at 93 years of age, Perkins still leads both Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF), both nationally successful movements with thousands of sites and hundreds of thousands of supporters from within the Christian churches of all denominations across the country.
Photo credit: By Priscilla Perkins - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Brad Haugaard
Randy Bell to Remain Athletic Director
Dina Rose Calabrese had posted on Facebook that she would be standing up for her dad at the meeting and invited other parents to join her.
She wrote: “After 20 years of serving Monrovia High, Coach Randy Bell is being wrongfully dismantled [dismissed] from the athletic director position by the new Superintendent, who has been single handedly gutting the good people out of the Monrovia school district. The reason being for this is that they are going in a “new direction.”
Comments on her post were supportive of her position.
In response, Superintendent Smith wrote:
May 24, 2023
Dear Parents and Families:
As you may have heard, a change in the leadership of the athletic program at Monrovia High School was announced for next school year. After hearing feedback and concerns from the community, the Board of Education asked me to review the specific direction, guidance, and support provided to the Athletic Director by the principal in order to ensure the needs of our student-athletes and programs are met.
I have reviewed the information provided by the school's principal, and have found it to be inadequate. As such, I have directed the principal to inform the Athletic Director that he will continue in his role for next school year.
Our commitment to Monrovia families is that we will provide the necessary oversight, support, resources, and training that are the essential conditions for excellence.
Sincerely,
Ryan D. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at T Burgers
Dinner at T Burgers, on the south side of Foothill just east of Magnolia. Got the chef salad for $10.99 and a drink for $2.79. Wow! A lot more than I could finish. I got two meals out of it. And very fresh and tasty.
- Brad Haugaard
Easy Going Bubba - Stop and Smell the Flowers
Four-year-old Bubba is an easy-going and friendly guy. He is the kind of dog who enjoys long, slow walks with lots of time to smell the flowers (or anything else that catches his nose). He likes playing with toys but his favorite thing is receiving lots of belly rubs. Bubba clearly has a giant heart to go along with his giant head!
Bubba has gone out with Pasadena Humane’smobile team a few times and has been such a good ambassador! He has met people of all ages, and as long as they give him somescratches or pats, he quickly becomes their best friend. He is a master at sitting for treats, but he actually prefers sitting in your lap and giving kisses.
Come meet this handsome boy today!
The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.
View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: 219 N. Myrtle, House of George O. Monroe
Home of George O. Monroe, circa 1900. 219 N Myrtle Avenue. George O. Monroe (1866-1899) was a son of Mary Jane Hall Monroe and William Newton Monroe (one of the founders of Monrovia). Mrs. George Monroe was President of the Woman's Club. Probably Annetta Monroe (wife of George) shown. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
Proposal to Rename Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center After Former Board Member Betty Sandford Pulled
I just noticed an item that was pulled from the May 10 School Board agenda. A proposal was made to rename the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka "Monrovia High auditorium") after former School Board member and president Betty Sandford instead of former superintendent Louise Taylor. Although the name of the person making the request was not mentioned specifically in the minutes, they do record that, "Board Member Lockerbie shared for the record that a letter was written and submitted to her from Betty Sanford’s daughter." Taylor would instead have been recognized by a plaque. The rational for the change was Sandford's numerous contributions to the community, outlined on page 138-139 here. Two members of the audience, Karen K. Suarez and Debra E. Penzer spoke against renaming the Performing Arts Center.
- Brad Haugaard
Schools: Grad Lists; Re-Roofing Clifton and Wild Rose; New Job Positions
At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...
~ Receive lists of graduates, here ...
Monrovia High School
Canyon Oaks High School
Mountain Park School
Community Adult School
~ Consider contracting with Best Contracting Services, Inc. for $3,327,663 to repair and restore the roofs at Clifton Middle School and Wild Rose School of Arts. Details
~ Create two new job positions: Special Education Coordinator, and Coordinator of Athletics and Student Support Services.
The Special Education Coordinator will be "responsible for assisting in the planning, implementation, administration, and maintenance of assigned special education programs."
"The Coordinator of Athletics and Student Support Services shall supervise and assist athletic coaches in the coordination of all athletic activities; schedule and coordinate athletic programs and events on campus; serve as the liaison between the school, Human Resources Dept., parents, students, and outside agencies; supervise and evaluate the performance of coaches and individual sports programs; assume responsibility for student discipline; supervise students during school and extracurricular activities; collaborates with the MUSD Middle School and Elementary School Athletics programs to ensure safe and engaging pathways to the MHS athletic program; advise students in a variety of areas; and perform related work as required."
- Brad Haugaard
School District Obtains Narcan In Case of Fentanyl Overdoes, and Defibrilators for All Schools
With the LA County Department of Public Health warning of the growing use of the deadly opioid fentanyl, Monrovia School District has obtained Naloxone (often referred to as Narcan) to be used in emergencies to treat opioid overdoses. All secondary administrators, nurses, and other staff have completed training, enabling them to administer Naloxone effectively.
The district has also obtained 16 automated external defibrillators (AEDs), one for each elementary school and multiple units for secondary schools and the Learning Center. The AEDs will be installed over the summer in high student traffic areas to ensure they are accessible during the school day as well as after school in support of the various activities that take place on campuses. Training on how to use the devices will begin in a few weeks.
- Brad Haugaard
Carnival Rides Ready to Go at 5 PM
- Brad Haugaard
Chad Harvey Is New Police Sergeant for Community Activist Policing Program
- Brad Haugaard
Job Openings With City of Monrovia
Compost Workshop Thursday, May 25
Email info@monroviacommunitygarden.org to register or for more information. The first 20 people to register will receive a free compost or worm bin.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Garden Club to Showcase Best Gardens in Town
Monrovia Garden Club will present its Annual Garden Awards on Tuesday, May 23, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church (Foothill and Myrtle). Social hour at 6 p.m. There will be a slideshow showcasing all 10 winning yards and gardens from across Monrovia. The club will provide chicken and lemonade from Raising Cains, as well as coffee and tea. Bring a dish to share with fellow attendees.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Person Threatens to Sexually Assault Employees; Drunk on Sidewalk Soits on Paramedic; Delivery Driver Punches Out Rear Window; More…
Grant Theft Auto
May 11 at 8:09 a.m., a stolen vehicle was reported in the 200 block of W. Chestnut. This investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 9:05 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 2600 block of S. Myrtle regarding a male subject drinking alcohol in public and acting inappropriately. The subject was contacted and it was determined he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vehicle Tampering
May 11 at 9:06 a.m., a vehicle tampering was reported in the 400 block of Genoa. The victim left her unlocked vehicle parked overnight and when she returned, she found her vehicle doors open and it had been ransacked. No property was taken. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
May 11 at 11:32 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of W. Duarte regarding a stolen vehicle. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 11 at 1:22 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Huntington regarding a subject who entered a business and threatened to sexually assault the employees. The subject exited the business. The subject was located and detained by officers nearby. The subject was determined to be a danger to others and was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 2:09 a.m., while on patrol in the 1800 block of S. Myrtle, an officer saw a motorist commit a traffic violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop and upon contact with the driver he noticed the driver displayed signs of being intoxicated. A field sobriety test confirmed the driver was under the influence. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Attempt Grant Theft Auto
May 12 at 7:13 a.m., a victim in the 900 block of S. Primrose called to report that unknown suspect(s) attempted to steal his vehicle, which has been stored without use for years. This investigation is continuing.
Grant Theft Auto Recovery
May 12 at 9:54 a.m., officers were patrolling the 2200 block of S. Peck when they saw a vehicle that appeared to be abandoned. A computer check revealed the vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Grant Theft Auto
May 13, at 2:10 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of Genoa reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Tampering
May 13 at 9:30 a.m., a victim in the 700 block of W. Huntington reported his work vehicle had been broken into and merchandise and tools had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
May 13 at 1:16 p.m., a victim came into the MPD lobby to report that his vehicle was broken into the previous night in the 700 block of W. Huntington and tools were stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Grant Theft Auto
May 13 at 4:12 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of S. Fifth reported his vehicle had been stolen overnight. This investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication / Battery on Officers and Paramedics – Suspect Arrested
May 13 at 7:03 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject laying across a sidewalk. Officers and paramedics arrived and found the subject to be heavily intoxicated. When officers attempted to arrest the subject, he physically resisted, and spit on a paramedic and on officers. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Attempt Strong arm Robbery
May 14 at 8:29 p.m., a guest of a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington stepped outside the hotel and was confronted by her husband who had followed her from their home. There had been an unreported domestic violence incident that occurred in another city and she was attempting to get away from him. He grabbed her cellphone out of her hands and she screamed for help. He let go of her phone and left the area. He was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 15 at 2:14 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of N. Mayflower when he saw a suspicious vehicle. He stopped the motorist and the driver appeared to be heavily intoxicated. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Grand Theft Auto
May 15 at 9:10 a.m., a victim in the 700 block of W. Foothills reported his vehicle stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
May 15 at 12:08 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of California and Huntington regarding a traffic collision. A driver ran a red light and collided into another vehicle.
Vandalism
May 15 at 12:46 p.m., a caller reported a disturbing subject in the 100 block of N. Myrtle. Officers arrived and determined a delivery driver became upset and punched the rear window of a vehicle, causing it to break. The driver had cuts on his hand that required him to be transported to the hospital. This investigation is continuing.
Petty Theft / Shoplifting – Suspects Arrested
May 15 at 3:44 p.m., a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report several people had just stole items and were running out the store. Officers searched the area and located three subjects matching the description. After a field show up with the victim, two subjects were arrested for petty theft. The two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
May 15 at 5:07 p.m., a caller in the area of Myrtle and Duarte reported a male subject laying on a park bench with a possible gun in his waistband. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The subject did not have a gun, but he did have narcotics and a bench warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Traffic Collision
May 16 at 11:46 a.m., multiple callers reported a vehicle collision where a vehicle had rolled over in the area of Royal Oaks and Mountain. Officers and MFD responded to the scene and extracted a female driver who was later transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the collision was speed and failing to yield to oncoming traffic, which resulted in a broadside collision.
Grant Theft Auto
May 16 at 11:34 a.m., a caller in the 500 block of Ranchito reported his vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Death Report
May 16 at 3:18 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of W. Lemon reported she had found her neighbor unresponsive. Officers and MFD responded and determined the female subject was deceased. The female had a history of medical conditions. A local mortuary responded.
Traffic Collison
May 17 at 9:01 a.m., a witness reported a semi-truck ran over a fire hydrant in the 3300 block of S. Peck. Officers and MFD arrived on scene and controlled the water and cleared the roadway afterwards. The driver of the truck was cited.
Run-Away Juvenile
May 17 at 10:11 a.m., a caller reported two juveniles walked away from the 100 block of N. Ivy. Officers did an area search but could not locate the juveniles. The two juveniles have a history of running away. They were entered into the missing person's database. This investigation is continuing.
Petty Theft
May 17 at 3:33 p.m., a victim reported her wallet was stolen from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The victim also claimed her credit cards were used at another store. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 17 at 3:39 p.m., a male adult subject walked into the MPD lobby drinking a beer. An officer contacted the subject outside the station. The subject stated he needed mental help and then told the officer to shoot him. The subject was detained without incident and MFD responded to the scene. It was determined the subject was a danger to himself and was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Violation of Court Order
May 17 at 4:22 p.m., a caller reported her ex-boyfriend has been texting and calling her which violated a court order. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 17 at 10:02 p.m., a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and detained the male subject before he was able to flee. His duffle bag was full of unpaid merchandise. He was arrested, issued a citation and released at the scene.
Something Old is New During Monrovia Days - This Friday Through Sunday
- Brad Haugaard
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