A Moment in Monrovia History: The Flood of 1938

February 1938 Flood. Looking southwest from where the Vons building stands now toward the buildings behind 131 W Palm, 135 W Palm and 138 W Palm and the First Christian Church, built at Primrose and Palm on the Rehrman's property. From the Rehrman collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Library Yourh Crafts Nov. 5

Youth crafts at the Monrovia Library. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Register For Free Turkey Beginning October 31

Register (beginning on October 31) with the YMCA to get a free turkey, while supplies last. Register here (t.ly/gEby) or call the Y at 359-9244.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider Joining 'Clean Power Alliance'; New General Plan

At its next meeting (agenda: t.ly/M4K8) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~ Joining the Clean Power Alliance, a group of cities that provides electricity from renewable energy sources. The city will choose one of three levels of participation, from minimal renewable energy (Lean Power), to mid-level (Clean Power), to 100% renewable (Green Power). However, residents will have the option to change their own level of participation, or opt out entirely and stay with SCE power. Staff estimates that compared to SCE rates, the average bill will be one percent less for Lean Power, equal for Clean Power, and three percent more for Green Power. t.ly/upV4

~ Adopting an updated general plan (t.ly/EgPt), which includes:

  • A new Environmental Justice Element, as required by the state. It "seeks to correct the disproportionate burden of pollution and associated health risks often experienced by low income communities and communities of color. Environmental justice is achieved when everyone has the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, as well as equal access to governmental decision-making processes."
  • A Housing Element that provides goals, policies, and actions that help Monrovia plan for current and future housing needs of all segments of its population and expresses the community's goals about housing.
  • A Safety Element that "looks at the environmental safety issues facing the community, such as seismic, fire and flood hazards."

- Brad Haugaard

Oak Crest Institute Open to Public Today

From 4-7 p.m. today Oak Crest Institute of Science in Monrovia, a chemistry and biology research and education center, will open its doors to the public for Halloween festivities. The institute is at 132 W. Chestnut.

- Brad Haugaard

Hart House Restaurant to Open November 9


Kevin Hart's plant-based restaurant, Hart House, will hold its grand opening in Monrovia on November 9 with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. At 11:45 a.m. the restaurant will open to the public and will be open until 9 p.m. 10% of opening day proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills.

The new restaurant is at 602 W. Huntington and features the design of black female entrepreneur Kai Williamson & Nicollette Santos in its 2,160 square foot interior and 372 exterior square foot exterior. There will be approximately 30 seats inside and 10 outside.

- Brad Haugaard





Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 30 More Cases, One More Death

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 10/26/2022. Changes since 10/19/2022.

City of Monrovia: 10,704 cases (up 30), 110 deaths (up 1)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,139 cases (unchanged), 5 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Cops Stop Wrong Guy, Arrest Him Anyway; Transient Tries to Steal Man's Granddaughter; Assault With a Bat; Carjacker Leaves His Driver's License Behind, Is Arrested; and Plenty More

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 20 – 26. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 343 service events, resulting in 71 investigations.

Drug Possession – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 1:27 a.m., an officer was conducting extra patrol and noticed two subjects in a park in the 600 block of S. Shamrock after hours. He detained the subjects and discovered one was in possession of drugs. The subjects were arrested, cited and released on the scene.

Grand Theft
October 20 at 7:54 a.m., a victim in the 300 block of S. Fifth called to report the catalytic converter from his vehicle had been stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
October 20 at 3:13 p.m., a business owner in the 100 block of E. Chestnut called to report someone stole merchandise. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 4:46 p.m., an officer saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop in the area of Shamrock and Huntington. A computer check on the driver revealed two outstanding warrants. He was arrested per the authority of the warrants and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence
October 20 at 7:50 p.m., a caller reported a female being assaulted in the 100 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and located the female, but the male suspect had fled. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 20 at 8:09 p.m., officers were patrolling when they saw a subject matching a suspect description in the 100 block of W. Huntington. A records check revealed that the subject was not the suspect, but he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested per the authority of the warrant and was taken into custody.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon
October 20 at 10:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of W. Lemon regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. A male suspect became upset during an argument and assaulted the victim with a bat. The suspect was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 1:27 a.m., a domestic violence was reported in the 200 block of Parkrose. The victim reported her boyfriend assaulted her and fled the location. Officers arrived and searched the area but could not locate the suspect. The suspect was later detained. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
October 21 at 1:44 a.m., a caller reported his vehicle was broken into in the 500 block of W. Huntington and his laptop was taken. This investigation is continuing.

Wanted Suspect – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 7:15 a.m., while in the area of Fifth and Huntington on an unrelated call, officers recognized a male subject from a wanted flyer. The subject was contacted and identified. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Wanted Suspect – Suspect Arrested
October 21 at 10:55 a.m., an officer received information of a wanted suspect in the 500 block of W. Duarte. Officers responded and contacted the suspect. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Theft
October 21, at 2:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of King. A resident called and reported the catalytic converter was stolen from his vehicle sometime overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
October 22 at 1:41 a.m., a caller reported a vehicle had just crashed into a parked vehicle in the 700 block of S. Canyon. Officers arrived and located an intoxicated driver. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
October 22 at 1:24 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Myrtle and Duarte saw a bicyclist commit a traffic violation. While talking to the rider, the rider admitted to having a meth pipe. He was arrested and released with a citation.

Fire Assist
October 22 at 3:17 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of W. Huntington regarding a vehicle fire. The fire was a result of mechanical problems with the vehicle.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 12:26 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Mayflower and Huntington when she saw a motorist commit a driving violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver displayed signs of being intoxicated. A DUI investigation determined she was driving under the influence. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 2:23 a.m., officers responded to a possible fight between a male and female in the 300 block of S. Stedman. When officers arrived the male had left and the female was found to be uninjured. Officers located the male sitting in his vehicle. Officers contacted him and found he was heavily intoxicated. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
October 23 at 8:38 a.m., an employee reported that someone burglarized a business in the 200 block of W. Duarte. This investigation is continuing.

Carjacking – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 11:37 a.m., a carjacking was reported in the 1400 block of S. Shamrock. The suspect used a handgun to take a vehicle from a car dealership employee. The suspect's driver’s license was on file at the dealership and after a computer check, it was learned that this same suspect had been contacted by our officers in the past. Officers located the suspect in a nearby parking lot. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Threatening – Suspect Arrested
October 23 at 3:59 pm, officers responded to the 100 block of W. Cherry regarding the victim being threatened by his adult son. An emergency protection order was issued. The son was arrested and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation
October 23 at 7:37 p.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of Encino regarding a possible attempt suicide. Officers arrived and spoke with the female subject and determined she was a threat to herself. Officers arrived and determined she needed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. She was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Death Report
October 23 at 4:42 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of E. Foothill regarding a death report. There were no signs of foul play and the death appeared natural.

Commercial Burglary
October 24 at 4:51 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm in the 100 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and saw the front door of the business was forced open. Further investigation revealed items were taken from the business. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 24, at 7:25 a.m., officers responded to the 600 block of W. Huntington regarding an open storage shed that is normally secured. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft / Fraud
October 24 at 2:25 p.m., a stolen wallet was reported in the 600 block of W. Huntington. The victim received notification of fraudulent activity on her account. This investigation is continuing.

Arson – Suspect Arrested
October 24 at 5:08 p.m., a fire was reported in the 1100 block of S. Mountain. A witness provided the description of a subject seen running from the location. Officers and MFD responded to the location. The surrounding businesses were evacuated. Fire Department eventually got the fire under control and extinguished. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Mail Theft – Suspects Arrested
October 25 at 1:26 a.m., while on patrol in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle officers notice two subjects parked in a red zone. Officers stopped to investigate and noticed open alcohol containers and loose mail in the vehicle. The mail belonged to different addresses. One subject was arrested for mail theft and the other was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Commercial Burglary
October 25 at 2:11 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Foothill regarding a burglary alarm. When officer arrived they noticed a broken window. No one was located inside the location when inspected. This investigation is continuing

Kidnap / Assault – Suspect Arrested
October 25 at 12:56 p.m., a caller reported there was a possible kidnapping taking place in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. Officers responded and identified the parties involved. They determined a male subject confronted a man and his granddaughter in the park. The transient pushed the male, causing him to fall and strike his head on a large rock causing great bodily injury. The transient picked up the granddaughter and ran approximately 100 to 150 feet before being stopped by an alert witness in the area who also detained the suspect. The suspect was arrested and was taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
October 25 at 4:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of W. Duarte regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim’s vehicle window was smashed and items were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud / Scam
October 25 at 4:36 p.m., the victim came into the lobby to report that he was attempting to rent a residence off of Craigslist. He was asked to wire $2,000 to an unknown subject and complete a detailed credit application. When the victim inquired further about the location, he discovered the residence was not for rent and had been scammed. This investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 26 at 12:39 a.m., an officer noticed a vehicle occupied with three adults drive into a parking structure in the 1600 block of S. Primrose. The officer conducted a computer check which revealed the vehicle's registration was expired. The vehicle was stopped and the officer noticed the steering column was exposed. During the investigation, it was determined that the vehicle was stolen. The driver was arrested for auto theft, the front passenger was arrested for a warrant and the rear passenger was cited for drug possession. The driver and the front passenger were taken into custody.

Grand Theft
October 26, at 12:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a theft report. The reporting party called to report suspects came into the store and stole merchandise. This investigation is continuing.

Fraud
October 26 at 2:55 p.m., the victim came in to report his employee had embezzled money by changing invoices and creating fraudulent invoices. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
October 26 at 4:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of E. Greystone regarding a mental evaluation. The husband called stating his wife had texted him that she was going to harm herself. Officers arrived and spoke to the wife and determined she was a danger to herself. Officers arrived and determined the she needed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. She was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 26 at 7:32 p.m., officers responded to a domestic violence call in the area of Duarte and Enterprise. Officers arrived and detained a male and female subject that were doing a child visitation exchange. Both parties said they started arguing during the exchange and the female assaulted the male. The female was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
October 26, at 10:12 p.m., an officer responded to 400 E. Huntington regarding a theft of a catalytic converter. The victim parked his vehicle in the parking lot and discovered his catalytic converter missing. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 27 at 4:07 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and saw the front doors had been forced open. This investigation is continuing.

Dinner at Jim’s Burgers


Dinner at Jim’s Burgers, in the shopping center near Duarte Road and Sixth. Got the Spicy Chicken (patty) Sandwich for $5.99 and a drink or $2.69. It was good. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Local TV Host Ralph Walker Has Died


Monrovia’s public access TV channel, KGEM, has announced the death of Ralph Walker, host of the local television program, Conversations With Ralph Walker. Walker interviewed many leading figures in Monrovia on his program. 

On its Facebook page, KGEM wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and hero, Ralph Walker.  He passed away this evening surrounded by his family, October 25, 2022.”

- Brad Haugaard 

Suspect Arrested After Fleeing Fire Scene

On Monday, October 24th, 2022, at approximately 5:09 p.m., Monrovia Police Department Dispatch began receiving 911 calls regarding a structure fire in the 1100 block of S. Mountain Ave. Reports were of heavy smoke and visible flames to the rear of a warehouse facility. Multiple callers also reported seeing a suspicious person fleeing the location. A description and direction of travel was provided to responding officers.

Monrovia Police Department officers arrived on scene and confirmed the size and scope of the fire, as well as determining that there were no occupants trapped or otherwise in danger.   Immediate evacuations of nearby buildings took place, and Monrovia Fire and Rescue personnel assumed control of the scene to extinguish the flames.

Based on the possible suspect description obtained from witnesses, officers from both day shift and night shift, as well as those from neighboring agencies, began a wide area search. A person matching the description was seen several blocks away in the City of Duarte. When officers attempted contact, the suspect immediately fled into a large business park. Officers set a perimeter around the business park and a search was conducted. The suspicious person was eventually located and detained. Witnesses positively identified the detained person as the same seen fleeing the location of the fire. The subject was arrested and is currently being held pending a court appearance.

This investigation is ongoing, and being handled in partnership between the Monrovia Police Department's Detective Bureau, the Monrovia Fire and Rescue Arson Team, and members of the Pasadena Fire Department's Arson Investigation Bureau. Anyone with further information is encouraged to call the Monrovia Police Department at (626) 256-8000. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Go Lucky Dozer Has a Big Heart


Dozer is a photogenic dog with friendly eyes and a wide smile. He was a little confused when he first arrived at the shelter, but now that he's made some new friends, his sweet disposition has been revealed. He's blossomed into a happy-go-lucky guy who has a heart that dwarfs that smile!

Three-year-old Dozer has shown us that he'squite playful. He is a big fan of toys, especially tennis balls. He’s ready to play fetch if you’re willing, but also content to amuse himself with a chew toy.

Dozer might like to doze on your couch, or he just might bulldoze his way into your heart!

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 

Commercial Fire at Mountain and Huntington - Person in Custody


There’s a large fire at a commercial building near the northwest corner of Mountain and Huntington. Fire units from several local jurisdictions are there. A person of interest was taken into custody. Photo by Kevin Sullivan. t.ly/NbTN

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: The Brother of Monrovia Founder William Monroe

F.M. Monroe. Brother of W.N. Monroe, who came from Shelbina, Missouri. He built the house at 257 N. Magnolia and went into the livery business with E.F. Armstrong.. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Decorations On Ocean View


Two houses on Ocean View Avenue (746 top and 826 bottom) have gone all out for Halloween. Ocean View is a block above Foothill between Shamrock and Mountain. 

- Brad Haugaard 

New Art on Display at Community Center - Artist Reception Sunday

The works of a new set of artists (Carol L Curtis, George Liang, Emily Sunez, and Joan Whitenack) are on display at the Community Center (119 W. Palm) and an artists' reception will be held Sunday, Oct. 23, from 2-5 p.m. with live music and refreshments from Rivanis Baking Company and Wine of the Month Club.  Cast your vote for People's Choice among the student artwork on display from Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools, bid on members' artwork from and tickets to "The Music of Queen" next summer at the Pasadena Pops. 

- Brad Haugaard

School Board: Lower Enrollment, Resolution Favoring $75 Million Bond Measure; Higher Developer Fees

At its next meeting (t.ly/mDDP) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Receive a report showing district enrollment is continuing to decline, down by 97 students this year, compared to a loss of 105 students in 2021-22. However, this is better than expected as the district had expected to lose 23 more students than it actually lost. t.ly/YltC

~ Consider a resolution supporting Measure MM, a $75 million bond that would cost property owners 3 cents per $100 of assessed value. It would be used to "fund school upgrades and repairs to help keep educational facilities safe, clean, and in good condition and support educational technology and facility upgrades for 21st century learning." t.ly/YltC

~ Consider a first reading of a board policy regarding higher developer fees for commercial and residential construction to "finance the construction or reconstruction of school facilities needed to accommodate increased student enrollment resulting from new development." t.ly/z-X4

- Brad Haugaard

Toxic Waste Drive-Through in Monrovia, Oct. 29

Free household hazardous waste and electronic waste drive-through Saturday, October 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the Monrovia Public Works Yard at 600 Mountain Ave.

- Brad Haugaard

Workshop on Low Water Gardening Oct. 29

Learn about native drought tolerant landscape, plants, design, water rebates, and proper irrigation techniques for your yard at "No Drought About It," on Saturday, October 29th, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Monrovia Community Garden at the corner of Colorado and Magnolia. Sponsored by Food ED.

- Brad Haugaard

Musical Matilda Oct. 27-Nov. 5 at IFGF Church

Centre Stage Inc. and IFGF Church (147 W Palm) will host the live musical, Matilda, between Thursday, October 27, and Saturday, November 5. For information and tickets: t.ly/6oga

- Brad Haugaard

Register Now for Nov. 18 Community Prayer Breakfast

 

Register here (t.ly/wMqe) for the 56th annual Community Prayer Breakfast, with Pastor Eric Eichinger of Our Savior Lutheran Church. For more information, please contact Britney Lopez at 358-1159 or at bl@monroviacc.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Make a Difference Day Tomorrow, Oct. 22


Register here (t.ly/Fwd-) or in person at 7 a.m. tomorrow in Library Park. 

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 24 New Cases, No New Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 10/19/2022. Changes since 10/12/2022.

City of Monrovia: 10,674 cases (up 24), 109 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,139 cases (up 2), 5 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

California Native Plant Sale Nov. 12

The San Gabriel Mountains Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will hold a native plant sale at the Monrovia Historical Museum (742 E. Lemon) on November 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. California native plants and wildflower seeds appropriate for gardens in the Los Angeles basin will be available, including plants for attracting birds and butterflies to your home garden. Knowledgeable chapter members will be on hand to answer questions. t.ly/1Q-9

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Fatal Rollover Accident at Magnolia and Olive; Drunks in Abundance; Rock Thrown Through Church Window; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 13 – 19. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 355 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

Domestic Violence
October 13 at 1:07 a.m., a call was received from an unknown location regarding a female subject in their medical facility who was reporting she was a victim of domestic violence. An officer arrived, but the victim refused to cooperate. This investigation is continuing. 

Active Shooter Call (swatting)
October 13 at 12:00 p.m., a caller in an unknown location reported an active shooter in a school in the 800 block of W. Colorado. The caller stated approximately 10 students were injured. All MPD units responded and quickly realized this had the appearance of a swatting call, but there were reports of a student who possibly had a gun. The school was placed on lockdown and each building was searched and cleared. No student on the campus had a gun. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 12:37 a.m., a caller in the 1100 block of S. Fifth reported a male subject near the door of their apartment complex who appeared to be trying to get into the lobby. Officers arrived and found the subject nearby. During a pat down search, officers located drugs. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Fatal Traffic Collision
October 14 at 7:54 p.m., units responded to Magnolia and Olive regarding a rollover traffic collision involving two vehicles. Officers arrived on scene and discovered a female occupant had been ejected from one of the vehicles and was unresponsive. Officers administered AED and CPR until MFD arrived. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 10:45 p.m., officers in the area of Magnolia and Olive were at the fatal collision when a vehicle drove through the crime scene tape. Officers confronted the driver, who displayed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation revealed the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 14 at 10:27 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Foothill regarding an intoxicated subject. Officers located the subject and determined he was unable to care for himself. He was arrested for being drunk in public and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Runaway Juvenile
October 14 at 10:18 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of N. Myrtle regarding a runaway juvenile report. The female juvenile got into a fight with her mother and left the house. Officers checked locations she frequents and were unable to locate her. She was entered into the system as a missing person. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 10:42 a.m., officers were in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle and saw a subject that he recognized as being wanted for a felony vandalism. A computer check confirmed he was wanted. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Trespass / Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 6:55 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of E. Lime reported someone in her yard. Officers arrived, found the subject on the property, and contacted him. He was found to be in possession of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Shoplifting / Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 7:30 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a male subject stealing alcohol. Officers arrived and detained the subject outside the store with the stolen property. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 15 at 8:19 p.m., a caller in the 400 block of W. Duarte reported a couple yelling in the streets. Officer arrived and detained the male subject as the female ran away. The male subject was in possession of drugs. He was arrested and issued a citation.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 15 at 8:41 p.m., the victim in the area of Duarte and Myrtle reported someone just hit his vehicle and fled the scene. The victim was able to get a license plate of the suspect's vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 16 at 12:02 a.m., a caller in the 300 block of S. Myrtle reported a subject screaming in the alley. Officers arrived and detained a subject who was in possession of narcotics. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
October 16 at 12:51 a.m., an officer was flagged down in the 400 block of S. Myrtle about an intoxicated male subject. An investigation revealed that the subject had committed a battery, but the victim refused to prosecute. The subject was arrested for drunk in public and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Vandalism
October 16 at 9:37 a.m., employees in the 300 block of W. Huntington called and reported an unknown suspect broke numerous planters. This investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
October 16 at 3:05 p.m., a witness in the 100 block of California called from inside a church to report that a male suspect threw a rock through a window and fled. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 17 at 2:17 a.m., a caller in the 500 block of E. Olive reported her live-in boyfriend used force to keep her from calling the police. Officers arrived and determined a domestic battery occurred. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
October 17 at 6:19 a.m., a victim in the 1800 block of S. Peck called to report her vehicle was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 17 at 8:01 a.m., a business in the 500 block of W. Duarte reported someone broke a window and stole a lottery box. Officers arrived and reviewed the surveillance footage. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 18 at 1:48 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a vehicle code violation in the area of Huntington and Mayflower. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. A computer search revealed the driver had three prior DUI convictions. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Commercial Burglary
October 18 at 11:02 a.m., a caller reported her storage unit in the 100 block of E. Lime, was broken into and items were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
October 18 at 11:02 a.m., a caller reported her storage unit in the 100 block of E. Lime, was broken into and items were taken. This investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
October 18 at 3:17 p.m., a witness in the area of Duarte and California reported a motorist collided into the railroad crossing arms and left the scene. Officers responded and secured the scene. Metro and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were notified and they responded. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision
October 18 at 7:14 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Lemon and Shamrock after a citizen heard the collision. Officers arrived and discovered two vehicle collided and one of the parties were complaining of injuries. Officers detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on the injured party and she was transported to a local hospital where blood was drawn. The investigation is continuing.

Municipal Violation
October 19 at 12:25 a.m., officers were patrolling the 700 block of E. Lemon and noticed a subject in the park after hours. The subject was arrested, cited and released in the field.

Drug Activity
October 19 at 2:49 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he noticed a subject in the park after hours. The subject was detained and found to be in possession of drugs. The subject was arrested, cited and released in the field.

Fraud
October 19 at 10:01 a.m., a caller in the 1800 block of S. Peck called to report her vehicle had been stolen Monday and now her credit cards, which were left inside the vehicle, are being used in other cities. A report was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
October 19 at 10:02 a.m., an employee in the 300 block of W. Huntington called to report a vandalism. The caller stated that when he arrived to work he noticed plants that were in large decorative vases had been tipped over and broken. Surveillance footage revealed it was a subject walking west on the sidewalk that tipped them over. The investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 19, 2022 at 12:06 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of E. Duarte regarding a traffic accident involving a vehicle and a bicyclist. The bicyclist apparently failed to yield to oncoming traffic and was struck by the vehicle. The bicyclist had slurred speech and showed signs of being intoxicated. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. The investigation is continuing.

Wanted Person
October 19, 2022 at 8:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of S. Fifth regarding two subjects trying to break into a vacant unit in the building. Officers arrived and detained the two subjects. One of the subjects stated he knew the owner and had permission to be there and force the door open since he did not have the key. Computer checks revealed one of the subjects had a federal warrant, he was taken into custody.

Dinner at Domenico’s


Dinner at Domenico’s, on the south side of Huntington just east of Magnolia. The long-time Monrovia restaurant has been lightly remodeled. Got the ravioli with a side salad (not shown ‘cause I ate it) for half off the regular price of $25.95 and a beer for $7.95.  Very nice.

- Brad Haugaard 

County Increases Reward Ten Times For Information About Murder of Terry Alford in Monrovia

Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that extends a $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of Terry Alford. On Jan. 29, 2021, Alford was shot multiple times in front of a residence in Monrovia while visiting his family.

“There needs to be accountability for this tragic loss of life,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The shooting took place almost two years ago and law enforcement agencies remain dedicated to find the individuals responsible for Terry’s murder. I hope extending this $10,000 reward will encourage someone to come forward so that justice is served. Terry’s wife and children deserve closure.” 

According to law enforcement officials involved in the investigation, Alford was on the front porch when four male suspects approached the residence. At least two of the suspects shot him multiple times. Law enforcement investigators believe the shooting was gang related and intentional, but presume Alford was not the intended target. 

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323)-890-5617 or the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.org.

Source: Supervisor Barger press release

- Brad Haugaard


Founder of Unity Center Honored


 The plaque, just outside the Foothill Unity Center, says:

JOSEPHINE ANDERSON
FOUNDER OF THE FOOTHILL UNITY CENTER

The Foothill Unity Center was founded in 1980 by Josephine Anderson in a borrowed church closet in Monrovia. She was in charge of Immaculate Conception CatholicChurch's food program in the late 1970's when she realized that those needing food were going from church to church seeking help. Feeling that this was both ineffect; and wasteful, she rallied the leaders from local churches to solve this problem.

Mrs. Anderson was a strong and able leader who created and built what has become one of the best-known and effective organizations in Monrovia and the San Gabriel Valley. Over the years, the Foothill Unity Center has become a major source of food, health services and crisis assistance for thousands of low-income families. It is a multi-service agency serving as the region's primary provider of integrated services that help individuals and families move out of poverty and reach economic stability. In addition to her work at the Foothill Unity Center, Mrs. Anderson worked with the Monrovia Centennial Committee in the 1980's to develop a Child Care Consortium.

Mrs. Anderson was a humble and courageous leader who never failed to assist anyone regardless of their needs. She followed her intuition and did not regret breaking societal rules to help others. She changed the status quo and paved the way to help numerous individuals.

Dedicated October 15, 2022
Donna Hargett, Artist

- Brad Haugaard 

Trunk or Treat at First Presbyterian Church Oct. 29

Trunk or Treat Oct. 29 at First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Myrtle and Foothill.

- Brad Haugaard

Fester - Just a Bit Bald, And Loves Play Time


Just like his Addams Family's namesake, Fester is missing a small amount of hair. Unlike the famous follicularly challenged Uncle, this Fester is likely to have a luxurious coat when his fur grows in. 

Fester is a two year-old shepherd mix, and an active one! He loves exploring the play yard and chasing toys. His fetch game needs improvement though, as the chasing is much more fun! His favorite one so far is the ball, but then he finds a rope toy, no, wait, it's the stuffed toy!

This Fester cannot generate electricity, but it shouldn't shock you that he is a really friendly and fun dog and will be a great addition to any family!

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

Boys and Girls Club Sponsoring Lights on Afterschool Open House Oct. 20


On October 20 Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills will host "Lights On Afterschool" at its facility (600 S. Shamrock, in Recreation Park). This event is one of the thousands taking place across the nation to emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school.

Lights On Afterschool will spotlight the range of programming available at BGCF, including homework help and tutoring, STEM activities, arts and crafts, structured sports and recreation, mentoring, and character-building programs. Tours of the facility will be given by club members. Sign up here: www.tinyurl.com/BGCF-LOA2022 There are time slots available between 3:15-5:30 p.m.

"Lights On Afterschool is a powerful reminder of the resources and support that after school programs offer our children and families," said John Wilson, Executive Director. "At BGCF, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure great futures for kids in need. Unfortunately, we have a waiting list for our program, which is why efforts like Lights On Afterschool are so important, to bring attention to the high demand for services and the need to fund programs like ours nationwide."

- Brad Haugaard

Giant Deer Warning on Norumbega ;-)

Someone on Norumbega has a sense of humor. 

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: El Patio Motel on Huntington

El Patio Motel, at 135 W. Huntington.  From the Kim Anderson collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council: Repeal Tenant Eviction Moratorium; Study Membership in Clean Power Alliance; Etc.

At its next meeting (t.ly/oK5S) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider repealing a COVID-era emergency moratorium on residential tenant evictions. t.ly/Zi2z

~  Hold a 5:45 p.m. study session (t.ly/VZaL) on joining the Clean Power Alliance. Details here: t.ly/WBM0

~ Consider proclaiming October 20 as "The Great California ShakeOut" and honor Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduates. t.ly/rxjx

~ Consider proclaiming October 22 as Make a Difference Day. t.ly/a8R6

~ Consider proclaiming October 24 as "World Polio Day." t.ly/Bs55

- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent Smith Reports on Thursday Lockdown

Yesterday was an extremely difficult day for all of us.  I am so thankful that the report about an active shooter at our high school was false; however, my heart is heavy knowing the impact that this has had on everyone's psyche.  Our schools are safe places for students and staff.  They always have been, and we will do all we can to ensure they always will be.  An event like we all experienced yesterday understandably has some feeling uneasy about that.  I will see to it that our plans moving forward ameliorate the impact of any trauma that was caused yesterday. 

Classes resumed this morning as normal at Monrovia High School, Monroe Elementary School, and the rest of our school campuses.  I have checked in with each of our principals and district staff, and I am pleased to share that things have gone quite smoothly.  In this update, I would like to provide some additional information to you all as well as a sense of things my staff is working on.

First, I would like to clarify what sparked yesterday's events.  As communicated by both the Monrovia Police Department and the City of Monrovia, a single phone call was made to 911  indicating that there was an active shooter at MHS and there were casualties.  According to police, the phone call was made from a phone registered out of state by a person with what was described as some kind of a foreign-sounding accent.  We were not the only school district in our area that received such a false threat.  Earlier this week, a number of schools in the San Francisco Bay Area received similar false threats as well.  

MPD responded quickly, arrived on campus, and took command of the scene.  Lockdown procedures were initiated, ushering students into classrooms and other safe spaces as quickly as possible.  Considering the school serves over 1,500 students and has about 300 staff members who were all enjoying lunch at the time, staff and MPD did a commendable job with this in the most difficult of conditions.

Second, it has come to my attention that there are rumors circulating that a student brandished a gun on campus toward the beginning of the lunch period, and that is the true origin of yesterday's events.  This is false.  MPD has investigated this claim and found no evidence that any student was in possession of a gun or brandished one.

We continue to be in frequent communication with both MPD and the City of Monrovia.  My team will debrief with both of theirs next week to identify ways all of our organizations can better respond to these kinds of situations.  I am grateful to be a part of a community where this kind of collaboration is part of the culture.

This morning, I made sure that our counseling team from across the district was present at both Monrovia High School and Monroe Elementary School to assist any students or staff members who may be experiencing trauma following yesterday's lockdowns.  Should anyone else at any site in our district need support, we will provide it.  I am proud of the Board of Education for supporting the hiring of additional counselors to support each of our elementary schools; a situation like this is a reminder that this was a wise investment.  Also, out of an abundance of caution, I have asked MPD to be visible in our community throughout the remainder of today and early next week.

In September, the Board of Education approved a partnership with Navigate 360, an organization that provides resources to districts in the area of school safety. Navigate 360 will provide us with tools and training for enhancing emergency management plans, training for responding to active shooter threats, tools for conducting threat assessments, and support for identifying and helping students who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.  The Board also approved the hiring of two district social workers to support our students as well.  The addition of these mental health professionals to our team will complement the critical work that our counselors engage in and further bolster our continuum of mental health resources.

Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you.  During my time as your superintendent, I have come to greatly appreciate your tremendous support of our efforts on behalf of our students, your willingness to help wherever we may need you, and your honest feedback.  If any new information becomes available, I will provide it to you by the end of the day.

Sincerely,

Ryan D. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Fire Department Offers Free Smoke Alarm Inspection; Unveiling of Josephine Anderson Neighborhood Treasure

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

~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue will inspect homes to ensure residents have the appropriate number of smoke alarms. To schedule an inspection send an email to smokealarm@ci.monrovia.ca.us t.ly/oIvX

~  Monrovia Area Partnership and the Art in Public Places Committee will hold an unveiling of the marker honoring Josephine Anderson, founder of the Foothill Unity Center. The celebration, at the Foothill Unity Center (790 W. Chestnut Ave.) will be tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will begin with the Neighborhood Treasure Art Unveiling, followed by free food, games, and music.  t.ly/yBYF

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 16 New Cases, No More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 12 p.m., 10/12/2022. Changes since 10/05/2022.

City of Monrovia: 10,650 cases (up 16), 109 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 1,137 cases (up 2), 5 deaths (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Five Catalytic Converters Stolen; Five Mental Health Issues; Shedding Clothing While Carrying Meth; Man Throws Bottle at Bartender; Wife Hits Husband With Table Leg; Drugs and Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for October 6 – 12. - Brad Haugaard]


During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 410 service events, resulting in 57 investigations.

Grand Theft
October 6 at 4:45 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of S. Canyon reported someone had stolen his catalytic converter from his work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 6 at 8:22 a.m., a caller in the 900 block of S. Canyon reported someone had stolen his catalytic converter from his work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 6 at 8:57 a.m., a caller in the 200 block of E. Chestnut reported someone had stolen his catalytic converter from his work vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 10:47 a.m., a business in the 100 block of S. Myrtle reported a subject was loitering in their bathroom. Officers responded and determined the suspect had a warrant. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery
October 6 at 11:07 a.m., a parking control officer responded to the 500 block of California regarding a parking problem. An investigation revealed one of the vehicles was reported as stolen in Monrovia. The owner responded and took possession of her vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Drug Offense – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 3:36 p.m., an officer in the area of Mayflower and Huntington saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop. An investigation revealed the driver was in possession of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 6 at 8:23 p.m., an officer saw a driver commit a traffic violation in the area of Myrtle and California. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver showed signs of impairment. A DUI investigation was conducted. The driver was arrested and was transported to a nearby hospital for a blood draw. The driver was then transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Drug Arrest / Resisting
October 6 at 10:52 p.m., a witness in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle reported a male subject walking around a complex and removing his clothing. Officers located the male subject and ordered him to stop. He refused to comply. Officers detained the subject who had an unknown object in his hand and would not let it go despite officer's orders. The subject then tried to break free from the officers as he threw the object from his hand. Officers recovered the object, which contained meth. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft
October 7 at 1:38 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of N. Myrtle reported someone had stolen the catalytic converter from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
October 7 at 2:09 a.m., a caller in the 150 block of N. Alta Vista reported someone had stolen the catalytic converter from his vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

Overdose
October 7 at 2:15 a.m., a passerby in the 900 block of W. Foothills reported a female subject was laying on the sidewalk unresponsive. Officers arrived and determined the female was unresponsive and not breathing. They advised it was an overdose and started life saving measures immediately and administered doses of Narcan before a pulse was detected. MFD took over the care of the female and she was transported to the hospital.

Grand Theft
October 7 at 3:10 p.m. a resident in the 1400 block of S. Magnolia called to report that several of his deceased brother's handguns were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Want Arrest – Suspect Arrested
October 7 at 4:35 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Peck and Live Oak when he saw a motorist make a vehicle code violation. A traffic stop was conducted. It was discovered the driver was wanted out of Pasadena for assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence
October 7 at 5:32 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Foothill called to report that her partner battered her and left the location. Prior to leaving, the suspect cut her own wrist. Officers responded and did not locate the suspect. This investigation is continuing.

Mental Evaluation
October 7 at 6:39 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of S. Mountain reported his 79 year old mother just threatened him with a knife. Officers arrived and determined the female was a danger to others and suffers from mental health issues. Officers determined she needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. She was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Battery
October 7 at 10:34 p.m., a victim in the 300 block of S. Myrtle called to report he was being bullied by another known juvenile. Officers arrived and determined a battery had occurred against the juvenile victim. This investigation continuing.

Felony Vandalism
October 8 at 2:36 a.m., a Lyft driver called to report a vandalism in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and determined the suspects matched the description from two subjects involved in a domestic violence incident. The victim positively identified both suspects.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 2:39 a.m., as officers were conducting a welfare check at a hotel parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington, one of the officers saw a battery occur. Officers contacted the male and female couple and determined the battery was a domestic violence violation. The female was arrested for the violation and the male was arrested for being drunk in public. As the couple was being detained, we had another call from a Lyft driver stating a male and female couple had just vandalized her property and fled towards the hotel. The suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Mental Evaluation
October 8 at 5:55 a.m., a caller reported a male subject was at a gas station in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle smashing light fixtures with a crowbar. Officers arrived and were able to deescalate a very distraught and angered male subject. The subject put the crowbar down and officers were able to peacefully detain the subject without incident. Officers determined he needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Grand Theft Auto
October 8 at 8:42 a.m., a victim came into the Monrovia PD lobby to report that his vehicle had been stolen overnight. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
October 8 at 10:36 a.m., a victim in the 100 block of McKinley called to report he'd just seen an unknown male subject breaking into his car, then running away. Officers responded to the area to search for the suspect but were unable to locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
October 8, at 4:41 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic offense in the area of Myrtle and Longden. While speaking to the driver the officer observed symptoms of intoxication. A DUI investigation determined the driver was too intoxicated to operate a vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Prowling / Drug Arrest
October 8 at 6:53 p.m., a caller reported he was watching someone enter his business in the 200 block of E. Foothill via video surveillance. Officers arrived and were able to locate the suspect. The suspect was found to be in possession of drugs. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary
October 8 at 8:48 p.m., an alarm company in the 3300 block of S. Peck called and advised of a motion activation at a business, but could not see anyone on the video surveillance. It was determined the suspect entered the property by cutting the bars on the office window. The suspect entered the office and fled the same way he came in. The suspect was gone prior to officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.

Assault – Suspect Arrested
October 8 at 9:40 p.m., a business in the 400 block of S. Myrtle called and stated their bartender was being assaulted. An officer arrived as the male suspect was leaving. The officer ordered him to stop, but the suspect refused. The suspect became physically aggressive towards the officer. Assisting officers arrived and were able to arrest the suspect. An investigation revealed the subject threw a heavy glass bottle at an employee causing facial lacerations. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence
October 9 at 4:31 a.m., while patrolling in the 100 block of N. Myrtle officers saw an abandoned vehicle in the middle of the road. An investigation revealed the vehicle owner lived in a complex in the area. As officers approached the building they heard a disturbance coming from the complex. A female victim with visible injuries ran past the officers and a male suspect was located inside and had barricaded himself in the bathroom. After assisting to the female's medical needs, a tactical plan was devised to contact the suspect. Officers entered the apartment and searched for the suspect, but he had already escaped through a small window. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence / Injury Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
October 9 at 7:46 p.m., two vehicles were involved in a traffic collision in the 200 block of S. Mountain. During the investigation one of the drivers displayed symptoms of being under the influence and the other complained of pain. Both were seen by paramedics. The suspect was under the influence was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Assault with Deadly Weapon / Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 3:35 a.m., Officers responded to the 100 block of W. Cypress regarding unknown trouble. When officers arrived they found a male bleeding. An investigation revealed he had been in an argument with his wife when she struck him with a table leg. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Wanted Person
October 10 at 8:44 a.m., a male subject came into the lobby to see about getting his vehicle released. It was determined he was wanted to for domestic violence. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 10 at 1:58 p.m., a vehicle pulled into oncoming traffic in the 600 block of W. Duarte and was broadsided by another vehicle. Paramedics were requested and treated the injured at the scene.

Mental Evaluation
October 10 at 2:23 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of W. Colorado when a mom phoned stating her son was having thoughts of hurting himself. Officers determined he needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 3:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of W. Foothill to keep the peace. A subject wanted to retrieve property from the location. When officers made contact with all the subjects at the location, a computer check revealed one of them had an outstanding want for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody per the authority of the warrant.

Medical Evaluation
October 10 at 7:13 p.m., a citizen in the 400 block of S. Myrtle called to report a subject asking for money. When officers arrived, they located the subject and noticed he was bleeding from his foot. MFD arrived and treated the subject. It was determined he needed to be further evaluated by a mental health professional. He was transported to a local facility for treatment.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
October 10 at 8:49 p.m., a witness reported a female subject was breaking beer bottles in the area of Huntington and Magnolia. Officers arrived and determined the female subject was drunk in public. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence
October 10 at 10:53 p.m., an officer noticed a driver traveling on Walnut partially in the east and westbound lanes, so the vehicle was stopped. The officer approached the driver and while speaking with the driver, the officer noticed the driver displayed symptoms being under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Weapons Offense
October 11 at 2:35 a.m., an officer stopped a bicyclist in the area of Altavista and Duarte for a vehicle code violation. An investigation determined that the subject was in possession of a firearm. Further investigation revealed the subject was on active parole and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
October 11 at 9:16 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Foothill on a report of a traffic accident. When they arrived, they saw the vehicle parked facing east/west in the parking stalls which are facing north/south. Speaking with the driver, it was determined he had a medical emergency which caused him to hit the handicap sign. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and released. He was issued a driver reevaluation form.

Grand Theft
October 11 at 2:07 p.m., the victim in the 100 block of N. Alta Vista reported that the tailgate to his truck was stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
October 11 at 4:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Huntington regarding a female who was inside throwing items around. When officers arrived, they saw the female exiting the store and she was detained. An investigation revealed she had stolen property from the location. She also had an electric scooter which she said belonged to someone else. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
October 12 at 10:17 a.m., a caller reported a male subject was in front of the 100 block of W. Foothill and it appears he is drunk. Officers arrived and recognized the subject from prior contacts of being drunk in public. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

Identity Theft
October 12 at 11:59 p.m., a victim in the 400 block of Royal Oaks reported he received letters confirming his recent employment. The victim is retired and never applied for employment. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
October 12 at 4:38 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Evergreen regarding an injury collision. A vehicle ran a red light and was struck by another vehicle. As a result, one of the vehicles ran into another vehicle. One subject was transported to the hospital for further treatment and the vehicle was stored due to the driver being incapacitated.

Drug Activity
October 12 at 7:34 p.m., an officer got behind a rental vehicle in the 1800 block of Peck and the driver made a sudden turn to avoid the officer. The initial check on the plate indicated the vehicle was stolen. The vehicle was stopped and marijuana was found in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Critical Missing
September 12 at 7:54 p.m., a female subject called to report her adult son missing. The caller lived in Long Beach, but called Monrovia because she received a call from him earlier in the day indicating he was in the 200 block of W. Huntington. She stated her son walked away from a facility in Los Angeles and requires medication for mental health issues. The subject was entered into the Missing Person System. The missing later returned to the facility he walked away from. The subject was then removed from the system.

City Manager Reports on Monrovia's Response to Fake Shooter Report at Monrovia High


City Manager Dylan Feik reported on the city's response to the false report of an active shooter at Monrovia High:
Today Monrovia Police Department (MPD) received a single call at 11:45 AM of an active shooter on the 2nd floor of Monrovia High School (MHS) which involved victims. MPD responded and the campus was immediately placed on lockdown while officers began sweeping the 2nd floor. MPD officers were on-site within three minutes from the time dispatch received the call to entry of the 2nd floor of the high school. There were no visible or audible signs or indication of a shooting so officers began sweeping rooms. MPD stationed a command post at the perimeter of the school to coordinate our response across the school campus where sweeps were already underway, but also to coordinate with incoming police units from outside agencies reporting to the call. In situations like these, neighboring law enforcement agencies will assist and receive directions from the command post where to go. Monroe Elementary was also placed on lockdown due to its proximity to the high school and after receiving a report of suspicious person walking around. The person was quickly identified as the parent of a student. The first high school building was cleared within 20 minutes of the call and MPD continued a thorough check of the entire campus, each room, as a precaution. The campus was ultimately cleared within approximately 90 minutes of the call.

Both Monroe Elementary and Monrovia High School lockdowns were lifted by 1:35 PM. At MHS, a reunification plan to reunite parents with their children was used. However, school remained in session through the remainder of the day for the students who were unable to go home, unable to be picked up by a loved one, or who simply wished to stay. MPD maintained a presence on site and throughout the remainder of the day. MPD will continue to investigate the source of the false threat and any reports received today. Other communities are reporting similar threats reported and the MPD is already working to report this incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent Says No Evidence of Shooter at Monrovia High - Schools Still Shut to Be Safe

Superintendent Ryan Smith reports that Monrovia High School (and Monroe Elementary because of its proximity to MHS) were locked down today because someone called 911 to report an active shooter at Monrovia High.

He adds that, "There is no evidence of an active shooter at the high school and there has been no violence of any kind.  This may have been a "swatting" incident where a fake call is made to law enforcement in the hopes of eliciting a massive emergency response.  We have heard that schools in other districts may have received similar calls." t.ly/NDsC

The city added that "Other agencies in the area have received similar calls today."

UPDATE: City Manager Dylan Feik reports: "We have cleared Monrovia High School (MHS) and are releasing MHS from lockdown. The school has a reunification plan to reunite parents with their children, if desired. MHS will remain in session through the remainder of the day for the students who can't go home at this time. MPD continues to maintain a presence on site but have not found any evidence or threat of an active shooter. The City will continue its investigation into the call and any reports we've received today. The City will provide a formal update later with specific information about today's incident."


- Brad Haugaard