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Monrovia Garden Club Topic: Trees, Birds, Gardens, and People

Pasadena Audubon Pro Birder Dessi Sieburth will speak about  "Trees, Birds, Gardens, and People" at the  Tuesday, Feb. 27,  meeting of the Monrovia Garden Club. Meetings are held in the Fireside Room at the First  Presbyterian  Church at Foothill and Myrtle. Meetings are open to the public and start at 7 p.m. with a social hour with light refreshments at 6:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Home Builder Fred Bowden Dies; Class on Protecting Your Home From Wildfires; Etc.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ Monrovian Fred Bowden has died of cancer.  Bowden built Bowden Development, Inc., a prominent local home builder.

~ In anticipation of the next wildfire, the Monrovia Fire Department has prepared a class to teach residents how to assess the fire vulnerability of their homes. Also, firefighters who responded to the 2017 wildfires in California will provide first-hand accounts of what they saw. The event will take place on May 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Monrovia Community Center in the Kay Dalton Room.  To RSVP, or for questions, call 256-8109.

~  Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) will host a block party on March 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church (925  S. Shamrock) with family fun, games, and prizes, and to teach people about city services. Also, MAP, with the Art in Public Places program, will debut Neighborhood Treasures, a new program designed to highlight unsung Monrovia heroes. The first art treasure will honor Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth. Contact Ariel Tolefree-Williams at 932-5563 for party details.

~ A retirement party for city employee Lisa Hansberger will be held on March 1, at 5 p.m. at the Diplomat Restaurant.

- Brad Haugaard

Dedication of Historic Santa Fe Depot and Bartlett Memorial

The community is invited to attend the City of Monrovia's dedication event in recognition of the restoration of the Historic Santa Fe Depot and the christening of the Mayor Bob Bartlett Memorial.  The event will take place at Station Square (1629  S. Myrtle Ave.) on Sunday, Feb. 25, starting at noon.

During the past year, the City has, in partnership with the development team at Daylight Limited, LLC, been working to carefully rehabilitate the Historic Santa Fe Depot, which is one of the most historically significant structures in Monrovia.  The building, which was originally built in 1926, has been formally identified as the City's 137th landmarked building. "It is a community treasure whose history is completely intertwined with the development of the City of Monrovia," said Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Crudgington.  Staying true to its original Spanish Colonial Revival Style, the efforts to restore the facility is now complete, and efforts are underway to find a restaurant operator for the rehabilitated space.

Additionally, Station Square will also house the new Mayor Bob Bartlett Memorial.  Led by Mayor Tom Adams and City Council Member Larry Spicer, the Bob Bartlett Memorial Committee was established in October 2015, and for the past two years, the committee has worked to determine how best to commemorate and honor former Monrovia Mayor Bob Bartlett. Mayor Bartlett was elected as the first African American to serve on the Monrovia City Council in 1974.  Later, in 1988, he was elected Mayor and served in that position through 2001.  During his tenure, Mayor Bartlett presided over many community enhancements, including the revitalization of Old Town, the development of the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center, establishment of the Community Center, and developing the High Tech Corridor on East Huntington Drive.  Given his service to Monrovia, the City Council commissioned the establishment of a mosaic art piece that would honor Mayor Bartlett's legacy. 

To celebrate the restoration of the Historic Santa Fe Depot, along with the installation of the Mayor Bob Bartlett Memorial, the City hopes that you can attend this special occasion celebrating the newest additions to Station Square.  The event is completely free to the public, and parking will be available at the Station Square Park-and-Ride parking lot on the southwest corner of Myrtle Avenue and Pomona Avenue.  For more information, please call 932-5512.

Source: City of Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Dedication of Monrovia Train Depot and Bartlett Memorial

Dedication of the Historic Santa Fe Depot and the memorial to Mayor Bob Bartlett on Sunday, Feb. 25 in the Station Square parking lot. If you'd like to attend, RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 22 to jtran@ca.monrovia.ca.us or by calling 932-5512.

- Brad Haugaard

Below Freezing Weather Predicted for Monrovia Tonight

Bring your critters and sensitive plants inside tonight. The National Weather Service is predicting that the temperature will drop below freezing in Monrovia and a lot of the county, from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday. https://goo.gl/E5Cn2Z

- Brad Haugaard

Chili Cook-Off to Benefit Unity Center

There will be a chili cook-off on Feb. 24 to benefit Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. Details here: https://goo.gl/dDXA6f

- Brad Haugaard

See Historic Monrovia Pictures at Renovated Train Station


Each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, from 1-4 p.m. throughout March and April the newly restored Monrovia train station will be displaying 100 photographs from the Legacy Collection, a sample of the 5,000 soon to be online at the Library. Prints of some of these photos will be for sale. Admission is free, no reservations required. For more information contact Sandy Burud at the Monrovia Historical Society at monroviahistoricalsociety1896@gmail.com or at  256-3423 or 675-8323.

- Brad Haugaard

Hamiltunes Today at IFGF Church

Hamiltunes, today, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. at IFGF Church, 147 W. Palm. Broadway's "Hamilton" sing-a-long. Details: https://goo.gl/d5S92H

- Brad Haugaard

Tattoo Regulations; Pyrotechnics; GoMonrovia Transportation Plan; Old Town Logo


Proposed Old Town logo.

The Monrovia City Council is going to hold a study session to consider regulations for tattoo parlors in Old Town. That'll be at 5:30 on Feb. 20 at City Hall. https://goo.gl/Rf6ssG

Then, at its regular 7:30 p.m. meeting later that evening (agenda: https://goo.gl/Xq5tn5), the council will ...

~ Recognize Hannah Honore, California Rainbow for Girls Grand Patriotism Officer, and Eagle Scout Zachary Stegman.

~ Consider paying  Pyro Spectaculars $22,500 to put on a Fourth of July fireworks show (they shows are great, by the way).

~ Consider approving the proposed GoMonrovia plan, which incorporates subsidized 50-cent rides in Lyft cars (like Uber), and LimeBike, which would provide bicycles around town that can be picked up, ridden, then left pretty much anywhere in town, not just in docking stations, like the Metro Bikes. It would cost a buck for the first 30 minutes on a bike. https://goo.gl/WE2wJn

~ Consider a logo for Old Town. https://goo.gl/ohqt6k

- Brad Haugaard

Renaissance Years Now Available as E-Book

An e-book edition of Renaissance Years: A History of Modern Monrovia is now available for purchase from the Kindle Store at Amazon.com.

The book by former journalist and city public information officer Richard Singer tells the story of Monrovia’s transformation from a racially troubled and economically failing city in the 1960s and ‘70s to an award-winning, nationally recognized model community. The work covers the entire history of the city, from its beginnings in the late 1880s to events of just a few months ago.

The new electronic version is a third edition of the book, which was first published in September of last year. The e-book is a stripped-down version of the original work (without the earlier editions’ index, reference citations or 120 photographs) and is being sold at a significant discount from the printed work. It can be easily downloaded and read on e-book readers, tablets and smart phones.

Some first edition copies of the book, printed in a limited run, are still available locally, with the total purchase price from those sales going to support both the Monrovia Historical Museum and the historic Anderson House museum. Remaining first edition copies may be purchased at the Monrovia Historical Museum at Recreation Park, at the Dollmakers shop in Old Town, at the Friends of the Library store inside the Monrovia Public Library, and at Second Baptist Church.

Online, both the printed and e-book versions of Renaissance Years may be purchased from Amazon.com.

Source: Press release from Richard Singer

- Brad Haugaard 

Lunch at La Adelita


Lunch at La Adelita, a little Mexican restaurant on the south side of Colorado about a half block east of Myrtle. Got the Ramon Salad for $8.99 and an iced tea for $2.50. Very good. 

- Brad Haugaard 


Monrovia Police: Shampoo Thief; Hit and Run; Shoplifting; Drugs and Alcohol

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 8-14. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 459 service events, resulting in 84 investigations.

Theft from Vehicle
February 8 at 4:19 p.m., a resident in the 1000 block of S. Mountain discovered his car was ransacked and a bottle of shampoo was taken. The victim left his car unlocked the day before, which allowed someone to enter the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting / Possession of Burglary Tools – Suspect Arrested
February 8 at 7:22 p.m., two suspects entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington. They gathered merchandise and walked out of the store without paying for the items. Store security detained the suspects and called the police. When officers arrived, the suspects were found to also be in possession of burglary tools. The suspects were arrested.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 9 at 12:51 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of W. Duarte, when he saw two suspicious persons hiding in bushes next to a closed business. After stopping the two subjects to find out what they were doing in the bushes, it was discovered that one of them had a warrant for their arrest. The person with warrant was arrested and the other was identified and released.

Parole Violation – Suspect Arrested
February 9 at 10:17 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 400 block of W. Huntington, when he saw a female subject he recognized as being wanted by the California Department of Corrections for violating her parole conditions. She was stopped and arrested.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 9 at 11:30 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 200 block of W. Foothill, when he saw a male subject he recognized from previous contacts. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest. The subject was stopped and arrested for the warrant.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision With Injuries
February 9 at 6:30 p.m., the driver of a grey pickup truck collided into a parked car in the 400 block of W. Olive, then fled the scene. The driver caused a second collision in the 400 block of W. Colorado, causing non-life-threatening injuries to a mother and her daughter. The driver fled the scene, and the injured subjects were sent to a local hospital. Officers located the pickup truck and driver several blocks from where the collisions occurred. He was arrested for hit and run and for several warrants.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 10 at 1:04 a.m., a subject was seen loitering in a parked car at a store that was closed in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers stopped to talk with the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest. Officers arrested the subject for the warrant.

Shoplifting / Resisting Arrest – Suspect Arrested
February 10 at 1:58 p.m., a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington called the police, reporting a subject had just walked out of their store without paying for merchandise and was not cooperating with store security. When officers arrived, the subject began running. Officers ran after the subject and were able to stop him. The subject was arrested and the merchandise was returned to the store.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 10 at 7:29 p.m., officers on the Special Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle in the 1300 block of S. Mayflower for a traffic violation. A computer check of the driver revealed he had several warrants, and he was arrested without incident.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 11 at 12:10 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of N. Canyon. A computer check of the driver revealed he had a warrant for his arrest, so he was arrested and taken into custody without incident.

Inside Park after Closing – Suspect Arrested
February 11 at 12:48 a.m., officers saw a subject inside a city park in the 600 block of S. Shamrock. They detained the subject and began issuing a citation for being in the park after it was closed.

Grand Theft Auto
February 11 at 7:44 a.m., a motorcycle was reported stolen from the 200 block of E. Maple. It was taken sometime during the night. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of Narcotics / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
February 11 at 6:47 p.m., officers responded to the 900 block of Norumbega regarding a suspicious vehicle occupied by two subjects. When the officers arrived and contacted the two subjects, they noticed one of the subjects appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Field tests were conducted and the subject was arrested for being under the influence of narcotics. A computer check revealed the second subject had a warrant for their arrest, so they were taken into custody.

Vehicle Burglary
February 11 at 6:58 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Wildrose. The homeowner reported their vehicle had been burglarized sometime during the day. The suspect had shattered the vehicle’s passenger window to gain entry, then took a cellphone charger and some quarters from the center console. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 11 at 9:30 p.m., a store in the 100 block of W. Foothill reported a subject had fled their store with merchandise without paying. Officers responded and located the subject near the store. The subject was arrested and the merchandise was returned to the store.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 12 at 7:42 a.m., a store in the 400 block of W. Huntington reported a subject in their store who was possibly going to shoplift. Officers arrived and detained the subject, which prevented the theft from occurring. A computer check revealed the subject had several warrants for their arrest, so they were taken into custody without incident.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 12 at 3:41 p.m., a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported a subject had just left their store with merchandise without paying. Officers arrived and detained the subject. After an investigation was conducted, the officers arrested the subject and returned the merchandise to the store.

Battery / Vandalism / Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
February 12 at 10:03 p.m., officers responded to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of E. Royal Oaks, where a subject was reported to be yelling and causing a disturbance in the common area. Officers arrived and detained the subject. An investigation revealed the subject had vandalized the inside of their friend’s apartment, had battered one of the residents and was drunk in public. The subject was arrested for the violations.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
February 12 at 11:24 p.m., a subject was seen in the 200 block of S. Alta Vista trying to enter parked vehicles and appeared disoriented. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The subject appeared to be heavily intoxicated, so the officers took him into custody for his safety. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Vandalism / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
February 13 at 2:13 a.m., a subject was seen breaking into a business’ outdoor restroom in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and detained the subject, who said they broke into the restroom to have shelter for the night. Officers found the subject to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers arrested the subject for the violations.

Grand Theft Auto
February 13 at 6:57 a.m., a resident in the 1700 block of S. Mayflower discovered his Nissan pickup truck was missing from where he had parked it the night before. He did not give anyone permission to take his vehicle. Officers searched the area for the vehicle, but were unable to locate it. This investigation is continuing.

Meeting to Address Hepatitis A and Homeless; Photo Display at Train Depot; Blinking Lights at Mountain and Duarte

In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O), City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ City staff has arranged a public health meeting together with the LA County Department of Public Health to address concerns about Hepatitis A and other communicable diseases due to the activities of the homeless. The meeting will be on Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Library Community Room.

~ Because no restaurant has yet been found to locate at the old train depot, the city is plannning a photographic exhibition of historic images of Monrovia. Around 100 photos will be enlarged and displayed during March and April. The depot will be open to the public every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission will be free.

~ The traffic lights at Duarte Road and Mountain Avenue will keep blinking for at least another 1-3 weeks. They're in flash mode  because of a malfunction. The city is working with Metro on the problem.


- Brad Haugaard

Safe Place To Make Exchanges of Internet Purchases

Opinion: This is an interesting, simple and seemingly useful idea for people making person-to-person exchanges of items bought or sold over the internet. 

The police department In our neighboring community of Arcadia is designating a part of its parking lot that is under video surveillance as a safe spot to make such exchanges. https://goo.gl/CKPwj4

I hope Monrovia keeps an eye on this experiment and will consider implementing a similar program if it proves successful. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia School Enrollment Continues to Drop, Fewer Teachers Needed

Monrovia school enrollment "is at its lowest level since at least 1992," and is expected to drop by 116 more students, to 5,449, for the 2018-19 year, compared to its high point of 6,762 in 1999, and this means that with fewer students, there will be 11.7 fewer school staff members next year.

According to this report and these tables, which the school board will receive at its Feb. 14 meeting (agenda), the only elementary schools showing an enrollment increase are Monroe and Plymouth. Monroe "increased 3.66% this year, and has increased 19.01% compared to 2013-14, mainly due to the Spanish Dual Immersion program that is now in its eighth year. Plymouth also increased 11.39% this year due to the Mandarin Dual Immersion program." Also, Clifton Middle School has increased its enrollment 1.34% since 2013.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Chicken King


Got lunch to go at Chicken King Express yesterday, in the little shopping area at Foothill and Mayflower. I had the Chicken Tarator with hummus and pickles (or you can get rice instead of pickles) for $9.95.  I’d never had it before. It’s a cold dish and very good - and a lot of it. I’d look at the menu online and call it in to save some time. Here’s the website (https://goo.gl/6VW3mC) and here’s the phone: 305-3111

- Brad Haugaard 

Recording of Monrovia PD Encounter of Man With Gun

Robert Parry made this audio recording with text notations of a December 29 Monrovia Police encounter with a man with a gun at Chestnut and Magnolia. You may have to download it (16 megabytes) and the audio is kinda soft so be sure to turn your sound up loud. https://goo.gl/iCWd5S

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Almost Car Arson; Arrested for Being in Park After Hours; Drugs and Alcohol and Alcohol and Drugs; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for February 1-7. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 451 service events, resulting in 105 investigations.

Mail Theft
February 1 at 7:40 a.m., several residents on Cloverleaf and Norumbega reported mail had been stolen from their mailboxes sometime during the night. Some of the mail was found discarded on the street. US Postal Inspectors were notified. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
February 1 at 2:39 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the south alley in the 300 block of Linwood Avenue. The victim reported his maroon, Toyota Celica with a white hood, roof and trunk, was parked in the alley with the keys in the ignition. The investigation is continuing.

Battery – One Suspect Arrested
February 1 at 3:58 p.m., officers responded to the skate park in the 800 block of E. Olive regarding a female juvenile who reported she had been attacked by two other female juveniles. The suspects repeatedly hit the victim for no apparent reason. The victim sustained minor injuries. The suspects were not located in the area. One suspect was later identified and arrested. The investigation is continuing.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
February 1 at 6:33 p.m., a male subject was reported to be trespassing in the backyard of a home in the 200 block of E. Pomona. The subject had a valid no-trespassing authorization signed against him by the owner of the property, and had previously been arrested for trespassing in the yard. Officers arrived and arrested the subject.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 1 at 7:41 p.m., a male subject entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington. He concealed merchandise inside his clothing, then left the store without paying. A store employee called the police, and when officers arrived they detained the subject. The suspect was placed under private persons arrest by the store employee for shoplifting. The merchandise was returned to the store.

Vandalism
February 2 at 7:54 a.m., a vehicle was reported to be vandalized in the 900 block of Monterey. The owner of the vehicle discovered multiple scratches in the paint that occurred sometime during the night. This has occurred several times. The investigation is continuing.

Found Narcotics
February 2 at 6:09 p.m., a customer at a restaurant in the 600 block of W. Huntington found a clear baggie of a white substance inside the men’s restroom. The police were called and they tested the substance, which was found to be methamphetamine. It is unknown who left the narcotics in the restroom. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
February 2 at 6:48 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of S. Primrose reported several juveniles had thrown an object and broke her kitchen window. The juveniles were last seen running west on Palm, and were not located. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 12:12 a.m., a male subject was seen riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the roadway at Primrose and Pomona Avenue. He was stopped for the violation and a computer check revealed he had two warrants. The male was arrested for the warrants.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 2:51 a.m., a male subject was seen stumbling in the 100 block of W. Lime Avenue. He was stopped by a police officer and was determined to be too intoxicated to care for his own safety. The male was arrested for being drunk in public and was transported to the Monrovia City Jail, where he was held for sobering.

Inside Park after Closing / Under the Influence of Narcotics – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 3:22 a.m., officers saw a female subject inside a city park in the 800 block of E. Olive. They detained the female, since the park was closed. The female was under the influence of narcotics and she had a warrant. She was arrested.

Grand Theft Auto
February 3 at 10:41 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 700 block of W. Duarte. The vehicle was a blue, 2015 Honda Civic, and it was taken sometime during the night. Investigation continuing.

Petty Theft
February 3 at 11:24 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 200 block of E. Kruse regarding a theft. An employee reported his laptop was taken from inside the business during open operating hours. It is unknown who took the laptop. The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of Narcotics – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 5:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Mountain and Huntington regarding a male adult yelling at vehicles as they passed. When officers arrived they located the male and determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested.

Under the Influence of Narcotics – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 7:11 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team contacted a male at Cypress and Magnolia who they knew to have a warrant. They noticed he was showing symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. After further investigation, he was arrested for the warrant and being under the influence of narcotics.

Grand Theft
February 3 at 7:27 p.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of S. Alta Vista regarding a female subject who had discovered her laptop and shoes had been stolen from inside her unlocked vehicle. It is unknown who took the items. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Narcotics – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 8:49 p.m., an officer saw a person hiding behind some bushes next to a business in the 1800 block of S. Myrtle. The officer contacted the subject and found they were in possession of narcotics. The subject was arrested.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
February 3 at 10:07 p.m., the Special Enforcement Team located two suspicious persons loitering inside a vehicle in the 600 block of E. Maple. They contacted the subjects and after obtaining consent to search, they found one of the subjects to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested.

Grand Theft
February 4 at 10:44 a.m., two female subjects entered a store in the 500 block of W. Huntington and used electronic tools to steal eight expensive purses. The females left the location and officers were called. The females were not located. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence
February 4 at 9:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence in the 100 block of W. Scenic. When officers arrived, they contacted the husband and wife, who had been in an argument over a suspicious telephone call, which led to the female causing injuries to her husband. Both signed a refusal to prosecute form, however, the case is being forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested
February 5 at 9:16 a.m., officers responded on the report of a male subject drinking alcohol in public in front of a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. When they arrived, they located the subject. He was arrested for being drunk in public and for being in possession of an open alcoholic container in public.

Trespassing / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 5 at 9:26 a.m., a male subject was reported to be trespassing at an apartment complex. When officers arrived, they located the subject, who was loitering on the property for no apparent reason. A computer check revealed he has several warrants for his arrest, so the officers arrested him and took him into custody.

Petty Theft
February 5 at 10:40 p.m., a female subject reported that her cellphone was stolen from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. After shopping, she placed her phone on the checkout counter, paid for her merchandise, and then left the store without her phone. When she returned, it was gone. The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Vehicle Arson
February 6 at 1:23 a.m., an officer was patrolling the driveway to Canyon Park, when he came across an unoccupied parked car at the entrance gate. On further inspection of the vehicle, the officer could smell gasoline around the car and noticed someone had poured gas all over the outside and inside of the vehicle. There were two cigarettes wrapped in matches found inside the vehicle. No one was found in the area. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 6 at 9:00 a.m., a male adult entered a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain and concealed merchandise in his clothing. He left the store without paying, and when confronted by store security, he ran. Officers were called and detained the male near the store. He was subsequently arrested for shoplifting and released with a citation.

Shoplifting / Narcotics Possession / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 6 at 10:35 a.m., a male subject entered a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain and was detained by store security for shoplifting. When officers arrived to take custody of the subject, they found he was in possession of heroin and had a no-bail warrant for his arrest for violating his parole conditions. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
February 6 at 2:58 p.m., a male subject was reported to be sleeping on the ground in front of a store in the 400 block of W. Huntington. When officers arrived, they located the subject and a computer check revealed he had a no-bail warrant for his arrest for violation of his parole conditions. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Injury Traffic Collision
February 6 at 6:16 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Magnolia and Olive where an injury traffic collision had occurred between two vehicles. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics arrived at the same time as officers and transported both drivers to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
February 7 at 1:13 a.m., a resident returned home from work and discovered his house, located in the 400 block of Monrovista, had been burglarized while he was gone between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 1:13 a.m. The suspects entered his home by shattering the rear sliding glass door. The loss is unknown until the victim could inventory his home. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
February 7 at 11:43 a.m., officers responded to a house in the 200 block of W. Palm to investigate a possible domestic violence. When they arrived, they detained a male subject who they determined had a domestic violence restraining order to stay away from the female. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the male had battered the female. The male subject was arrested.

Vehicle Vandalism
February 7 at 8:57 p.m., two people were seen kicking and damaging a vehicle in the 400 block of E. Walnut. When the witness yelled at them to stop, they both ran north on California and out of sight. The owner of the vehicle was located, and the police were called. It is unknown who the subjects were or why they were kicking the car. The investigation is continuing.

Vons Grand Opening


The Vons sign is now up and the store is having its grand opening. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Large Building Projects Planned for Monrovia; Public Safety Initiative; Santa Fe Depot/Bartlet Mosaic Dedication; Etc.

In his weekly report, City Manager Oliver Chi reports ...

~ City staff anticipates there will likely be three large-scale projects planned for Monrovia. They are:


1. Marriott TownePlace Suites - A 113 room hotel at the southwest corner of Huntington and Myrtle.

2. Richman Residential - A 294 unit multi-family project located at the northest corner of Duarte Road and Magnolia, just south of the Gold Line Station.

3. AvalonBay Residential - A 154 unit multi-family project located at the northwest corner of Myrtle and Chestnut.

~ The California Public Safety Partnership Issues Committee has begun circulating a proposed initiative called the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act. (Monrovia has been a leader in trying to get modifications in state law to reduce crime.)

The initiative would reclassify currently "non-violent" crimes - like rape of an unconscious person, sex trafficking of a child and 14 other serious crimes - as "violent" to prevent the early release of inmates convicted of these crimes. It would also stop the early release of violent felons, expand parolee oversight, strengthen penalties for parole violations, reform theft laws to restore accountability for serial thieves and organized theft gangs, expand DNA collection to include those convicted of drug, theft, domestic violence and other serious crimes to help solve rape, murder and other violent crimes - and to exonerate those wrongly accused.

Assemblymember Chris Holden will host a public safety meeting to discuss these issues  at the Monrovia Community Center on Thursday, March 1, starting at 5:30 p.m.

~ The city is planning  a dual dedication event for the unveiling of the Mayor Bob Bartlett Mosaic and the Historic Santa Fe Depot on Sunday, Feb. 25. A light lunch will be served h at noon, with the formal program set to begin at 1 p.m. Details to come.

~ Monrovia Area Partnership will host a block party on March 10, from  11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church (925  S. Shamrock Ave.).

~ In January, 290 Monrovians participating in the Winter Reading Challenge surpassed their goal, reading 144,237 minutes in the month of January.

~  Assemblymember Chris Holden is looking for women to honor whose service have made a positive impact in the 41st Assembly District. Nomination deadline is Feb. 16. One woman will be honored from each city, and one woman will  be selected as the 41st Assembly District Woman of the Year Nomination form here: https://goo.gl/zxB788

- Brad Haugaard