Monrovia's Staar Surgical Co. has reported a loss of $2.2 million in its first quarter, or 5 cents a share. https://goo.gl/cczbPB
- Brad Haugaard
Veterans Hike Postponed
The veterans hike scheduled for this Saturday will be rescheduling in June due to rain, according to Rebecca Elder, Adult Services Supervisor at the Monrovia Public Library.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police Ticket 96 'Distracted' Drivers
During the month of April, motorists caught violating California’s distracted-driving law received a clear message from law enforcement during the high-visibility enforcement campaign.
“Using a hand-held phone for calls, texting or apps while driving is something we all know is dangerous and wrong, but too many drivers are doing it anyway. So when we see it, we show zero tolerance,” said Lieutenant Rob Wilken, Monrovia Police Department.
The Monrovia Police Department issued 96 citations to violators of California’s distracted-driving law during the recent enforcement period. The law provides that it is illegal to hold and use a cell phone while texting, calling or using apps while driving. It must be affixed to the vehicle and may be operated in hands free mode using voice activation or used with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.
“Distracted driving kills too many people for us to ignore the facts and pretend it’s okay—it is never acceptable to text and drive,” said Lieutenant Rob Wilken. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed, nationwide, and another 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.
Offenders caught texting and driving will face tickets totaling at least $162, and higher for a second violation. Though the high-visibility enforcement effort is over, law enforcement officers will continue watching for distracted drivers to make sure all motorists keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.
This campaign is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Source: Monrovia Police Department press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Hit and Run; Cars Recovered; Assault at Bar; Drugs and Alcohol; Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 27-30. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.
Hit & Run Traffic Collision
April 27 at 9:51 a.m., officers responded to Magnolia and Evergreen on the report of a hit and run traffic collision. The suspect driver rear-ended a vehicle and fled the scene. Officers checked the area for the suspect vehicle and located it in the 400 block of Andre in the city of Duarte. The driver of the vehicle was also located and he had sustained injuries from the accident when his head hit the windshield. The windshield had cracked and lacerated his forehead. The vehicle was towed and the driver was taken to a hospital for treatment. The driver admitted to being involved in the collision.
Grand Theft Auto
April 27 at 7:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding a stolen vehicle report. The victim left his keys unattended on a table inside of a restaurant for approximately ten minutes. When he returned to the table, he realized his keys were gone. He went out to the parking lot and saw that his vehicle had been stolen. The investigation is continuing.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered / Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 28 at 7:25 a.m., a suspicious person was reported at a business in the 2100 block of S. Myrtle. A female subject entered the location and was driving around inside the property. A worker thought the female was acting suspicious and phoned police to report the activity. Officers arrived and located the vehicle. The investigation revealed that the vehicle was stolen and the female suspect was under the influence. She was arrested and the vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner.
Vandalism Incident
April 28 at 8:39 a.m., officers responded to the 1100 block of Sesmas regarding a vandalism incident. The victim reported that the windows on her vehicle had been shattered. A female adult in a dark colored SUV was seen driving up to the victim's vehicle. The female exited the SUV and proceeded to shatter multiple windows on the vehicle. She then got back into the SUV and left the area. The investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft Auto Recovered
April 28 at 6:10 p.m., an abandoned vehicle was reported in the 100 block of E. Cypress. The black Chevy Tahoe had been parked there for three days. The license plate number was checked and it returned to a vehicle reported stolen out of Pomona. Officers responded and recovered the vehicle.
Assault Report
April 28 at 9:36 p.m., a nurse from a local hospital phoned police to report a subject in the ER that had been assaulted in Monrovia. Officers responded and spoke to the subject, who said he had been assaulted at a bar in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle. He said he had been drinking and playing pool. At approximately 8:00 p.m., he stepped out to the back alley to use the restroom when he was assaulted. He didn't know the suspects, but believes there were three of them. The victim had some facial wounds and some bruising to his upper torso area, where he was possibly hit or kicked. The investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 28 at 10:25 p.m., an officer was on patrol the area of Mountain and Royal Oaks when he saw a vehicle traveling on the opposite side of the road. He stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, who displayed symptoms of being intoxicated. After performing field sobriety tests, the driver was arrested for DUI.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 28 at 10:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to the report of a disturbing subject at Foothill and Magnolia. The subject was shining a flashlight at drivers. An officer responded and located the subject at Magnolia and Chestnut. The officer stopped to talk to him and a computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Theft From a Vehicle
April 29 at 10:15 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 600 block of W. Foothill. The victim reported that they parked their vehicle on Highland the day before, and when they returned to the vehicle the next day, they saw items were missing. The vehicle had been left unlocked. The investigation is continuing.
Petty Theft
April 29 at 12:45 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 400 block of W. Maple. A female adult walked into the business and took a cell phone and pair of shoes that belonged to a customer who was taking a class. The investigation is continuing.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 29 at 10:19 p.m., an employee at a business in the 200 block of W. Huntington called police to report a disturbing female inside the location who was throwing items. They asked her to leave and she refused. Officers arrived and spoke to the subject. A computer check revealed an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.
Intoxicated in Public – Suspect Arrested
April 29 at 11:05 p.m., officers responded to the report of a man down on the sidewalk in the 100 block of Montana. Officers arrived, made contact with the subject and determined he was intoxicated. The subject was unable to care for his own safety and was arrested for being drunk in public. He was held for a sobering period.
Intoxicated in Public – Suspect arrested
April 30 at 1:28 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Myrtle and Colorado when he noticed a male subject walking on the sidewalk, having some difficulty. The officer made contact with the subject and realized he was intoxicated and unable to care for his own safety. The subject was arrested for being drunk in public and was held for sobering.
Theft From a Vehicle
April 30 at 11:41 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of Orange called police to report a theft from his vehicle. The theft occurred sometime overnight and the suspect(s) entered the unlocked vehicle and stole a bag of tools. The investigation is continuing.
Theft From a Vehicle
April 30 at 2:42 p.m., officers responded to the report of a theft from a vehicle in the 200 block of E. Cypress. The victim reported that sometime overnight, someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his wallet. The investigation is continuing.
Monrovia High and Mayflower Named 'Star Schools'
Monrovia High and Mayflower Elementary have been named Star Schools by the Campaign for Business & Education Excellence for narrowing achievement gaps between student populations. At both schools, Hispanic and socioeconomically disadvantaged students raised their English scores and outperformed schools with similar demographics for English and math.
- Brad Haugaard
National Day of Prayer May 4
The Interfaith Council of Monrovia will participate in National Day of Prayer on May 4 from 7-8 p.m. at the Tzu Chi Foundation, at 206 E. Palm.
Marijuana and Airplanes at Monrovia City Council
Old airplane mural
New airplane mural
The Monrovia City Council will discuss marijuana regulation proposals at a study session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 2. https://goo.gl/d9QyT1
Then, at the regular meeting at 7:30, the council will consider a proposal to redo the airplane mural in Old Town, behind the Paradis Ice Cream shop on the west side of Myrtle. The old mural "is definitely showing its age." Other possible improvements may include better lighting to make the breezeway area "more inviting and safe." https://goo.gl/PJTF3q
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Kiku Sushi
Dinner at Kiki Sushi, in the Huntington Oaks shopping center. Got the Geisha Combo (8 pieces of Sushi) for $15.99 and a medium beer for $4.99. It came with a little salad, a bowl of miso soup, and a tiny scoop of ice cream for desert. The fish was very fresh and good.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia to Offer CPR Training
Monrovia Fire & Rescue will provide free hands-only CPR training on Sidewalk CPR Day, Thursday, June 1, at Library Park (321 S. Myrtle Ave.), from 8 a.m. to noon Last year, more than 17,000 people in Southern California learned how to save a life in just five minutes with a quick lesson from local firefighters and medical professionals through the coordinated LA County- wide Sidewalk CPR Day program.
"Thanks to easy access to training, Citizen CPR is rapidly growing as a way to empower bystanders to save a life when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest," said Captain Chris Huson. "We are glad to team up with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency and the American Heart Association to bring Sidewalk CPR to our local community. With 80 percent of all cardiac arrests occurring at home, we need to help family and friends learn how to double or triple their loved one's chance of survival."
Learning hands-only CPR helps local emergency responders by focusing on the first few critical minutes following a cardiac arrest. Since the lungs and blood contain only enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for that amount of time, bystanders become heroes until emergency responders arrive on scene. With each chest compression using hands-only CPR, ordinary citizens can easily provide the ongoing blood flow needed to give the patient a much better chance of survival once responders arrive.
Once trained, citizens are encouraged to download the PulsePoint app, which was activated in Los Angeles County last August. More than 33,000 CPR-trained citizens have downloaded this lifesaving app to receive notifications that someone nearby is in need of CPR. To learn more, visit the PulsePoint Foundation website at www.pulsepoint.org.
Only 32 percent of victims receive CPR from a bystander. Don't be a bystander in a cardiac emergency, be a lifesaver. For more information about this upcoming training, contact Captain Chris Huson at 256-8119 or chuson@ci.monrovia.ca.us.
Source: City of Monrovia press release
- Brad Haugaard
"Thanks to easy access to training, Citizen CPR is rapidly growing as a way to empower bystanders to save a life when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest," said Captain Chris Huson. "We are glad to team up with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency and the American Heart Association to bring Sidewalk CPR to our local community. With 80 percent of all cardiac arrests occurring at home, we need to help family and friends learn how to double or triple their loved one's chance of survival."
Learning hands-only CPR helps local emergency responders by focusing on the first few critical minutes following a cardiac arrest. Since the lungs and blood contain only enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for that amount of time, bystanders become heroes until emergency responders arrive on scene. With each chest compression using hands-only CPR, ordinary citizens can easily provide the ongoing blood flow needed to give the patient a much better chance of survival once responders arrive.
Once trained, citizens are encouraged to download the PulsePoint app, which was activated in Los Angeles County last August. More than 33,000 CPR-trained citizens have downloaded this lifesaving app to receive notifications that someone nearby is in need of CPR. To learn more, visit the PulsePoint Foundation website at www.pulsepoint.org.
Only 32 percent of victims receive CPR from a bystander. Don't be a bystander in a cardiac emergency, be a lifesaver. For more information about this upcoming training, contact Captain Chris Huson at 256-8119 or chuson@ci.monrovia.ca.us.
Source: City of Monrovia press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Car Is Stolen, Recovered, Then It Burns; Student Doesn't Have Gun; Under the Influence
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 24-26. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 453 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 1:11 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington Drive. The suspect entered the business, selected merchandise and fled on a bicycle without paying for the merchandise. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. The investigation revealed the suspect was on parole and he admitted to the theft. The suspect was arrested and is being held pending a court appearance.
Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 2:33 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 Block of S. Primrose when he recognized a subject who he knew had an active felony WANT for his arrest. The officer made contact with the suspect and arrested him without incident. He was held pending his court appearance.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 2:38 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of S. Myrtle regarding subjects loitering near the park. The officer recognized one of the subjects and knew he had outstanding warrant. A computer check confirmed an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He is being held pending his court appearance.
Residential Burglary
April 24 at 4:38 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of S. Myrtle. The home was burglarized while the victims were away for the day. The suspects forced entry through a back window and ransacked the home. Jewelry and miscellaneous property was taken. The investigation is continuing.
Under Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 7:48 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of S. Myrtle regarding a male subject in his 20s, lying in the street. When the officer arrived, the subject jumped up and ran. Additional units responded to the area and the suspect was apprehended in an alley in the 100 block of W. Lemon. The suspect was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Theft of Purse
April 24 at 9:05 p.m., a theft of a purse was reported at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. An elderly female victim was shopping for approximately one hour when she realized her purse was missing from her shopping cart. The victim believes someone removed her purse from her cart while she was shopping. The investigation is continuing.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered / Fire
April 24 at 9:15 p.m., an officer responded to California and Duarte regarding a vehicle on fire. Duarte Sheriffs deputies arrived on scene prior. A check of the license plate revealed the vehicle was reported stolen out of San Bernardino. The driver of the vehicle was the registered owner, who had reported his vehicle stolen on April 1. He saw his vehicle at a business in San Bernardino that day and took his vehicle. He did not call San Bernardino Police Department to let them know he recovered his vehicle. He said he was driving on the 210 Freeway when his front tire started smoking. He exited Mountain and drove to Duarte Road, where the vehicle caught on fire.
Felony Vandalism
April 25 at 3:43 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 800 block of W. Olive. The victim reported that someone shattered the windows on his vehicle. A tall subject was seen throwing bricks through the windows and running east on Olive. The investigation is continuing.
Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 25 at 9:37 a.m., a male subject was reported huffing something from a bag in the 600 block of W. Myrtle. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The investigation revealed the suspect was inhaling the propellant gas from an aerosol can, and he was under the influence. The suspect was issued a citation and taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
Vehicle Burglary
April 25 at 1:22 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Oceanview regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim called to report that she parked and locked her vehicle and returned later to find someone had burglarized it. Miscellaneous items were taken and the investigation is continuing.
Fight in Progress
April 25 at 10:42 p.m., dispatch received several calls reporting a fight in progress in the 800 block of W. Olive. Prior to police arrival, three subjects jumped into a white Lexus and fled east on Olive. Officers stopped the vehicle in the 700 block of W. Walnut. One of the subjects inside the vehicle was injured in the fight and was treated by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics. All three subjects were uncooperative with police. Officers did not locate the other subjects involved in the fight. The incident does not appear to be gang related.
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
April 26 at 7:18 a.m., officers responded to the report of suspicious drug activity in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The officers arrived and contacted the person in question. After speaking with the subject, it was determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.
Suspicious Activity Reported
April 26 at 7:49 a.m., a citizen called police and reported seeing a male juvenile exit a vehicle with a handgun. The juvenile appeared to be a student at Monrovia High School. Officers responded and located the unoccupied vehicle. The registered owner of the vehicle was a new student at the high school. The student was located in a classroom and the school was placed on soft alert; staff is notified to keep students in class and no change of class or bells are activated. The student was removed from class and questioned. Officers learned he had a brother in another class. The sibling was located and questioned. The juveniles’ backpacks, vehicle and lockers were searched and no weapons were found. Police then contacted the parents and confirmed there was no way they could have any weapons.
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 453 service events, resulting in 76 investigations.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 1:11 p.m., a theft was reported at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington Drive. The suspect entered the business, selected merchandise and fled on a bicycle without paying for the merchandise. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. The investigation revealed the suspect was on parole and he admitted to the theft. The suspect was arrested and is being held pending a court appearance.
Wanted Person – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 2:33 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 Block of S. Primrose when he recognized a subject who he knew had an active felony WANT for his arrest. The officer made contact with the suspect and arrested him without incident. He was held pending his court appearance.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 2:38 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of S. Myrtle regarding subjects loitering near the park. The officer recognized one of the subjects and knew he had outstanding warrant. A computer check confirmed an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He is being held pending his court appearance.
Residential Burglary
April 24 at 4:38 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of S. Myrtle. The home was burglarized while the victims were away for the day. The suspects forced entry through a back window and ransacked the home. Jewelry and miscellaneous property was taken. The investigation is continuing.
Under Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
April 24 at 7:48 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of S. Myrtle regarding a male subject in his 20s, lying in the street. When the officer arrived, the subject jumped up and ran. Additional units responded to the area and the suspect was apprehended in an alley in the 100 block of W. Lemon. The suspect was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Theft of Purse
April 24 at 9:05 p.m., a theft of a purse was reported at a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. An elderly female victim was shopping for approximately one hour when she realized her purse was missing from her shopping cart. The victim believes someone removed her purse from her cart while she was shopping. The investigation is continuing.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered / Fire
April 24 at 9:15 p.m., an officer responded to California and Duarte regarding a vehicle on fire. Duarte Sheriffs deputies arrived on scene prior. A check of the license plate revealed the vehicle was reported stolen out of San Bernardino. The driver of the vehicle was the registered owner, who had reported his vehicle stolen on April 1. He saw his vehicle at a business in San Bernardino that day and took his vehicle. He did not call San Bernardino Police Department to let them know he recovered his vehicle. He said he was driving on the 210 Freeway when his front tire started smoking. He exited Mountain and drove to Duarte Road, where the vehicle caught on fire.
Felony Vandalism
April 25 at 3:43 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 800 block of W. Olive. The victim reported that someone shattered the windows on his vehicle. A tall subject was seen throwing bricks through the windows and running east on Olive. The investigation is continuing.
Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 25 at 9:37 a.m., a male subject was reported huffing something from a bag in the 600 block of W. Myrtle. Officers arrived and detained the subject. The investigation revealed the suspect was inhaling the propellant gas from an aerosol can, and he was under the influence. The suspect was issued a citation and taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
Vehicle Burglary
April 25 at 1:22 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Oceanview regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim called to report that she parked and locked her vehicle and returned later to find someone had burglarized it. Miscellaneous items were taken and the investigation is continuing.
Fight in Progress
April 25 at 10:42 p.m., dispatch received several calls reporting a fight in progress in the 800 block of W. Olive. Prior to police arrival, three subjects jumped into a white Lexus and fled east on Olive. Officers stopped the vehicle in the 700 block of W. Walnut. One of the subjects inside the vehicle was injured in the fight and was treated by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics. All three subjects were uncooperative with police. Officers did not locate the other subjects involved in the fight. The incident does not appear to be gang related.
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
April 26 at 7:18 a.m., officers responded to the report of suspicious drug activity in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The officers arrived and contacted the person in question. After speaking with the subject, it was determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.
Suspicious Activity Reported
April 26 at 7:49 a.m., a citizen called police and reported seeing a male juvenile exit a vehicle with a handgun. The juvenile appeared to be a student at Monrovia High School. Officers responded and located the unoccupied vehicle. The registered owner of the vehicle was a new student at the high school. The student was located in a classroom and the school was placed on soft alert; staff is notified to keep students in class and no change of class or bells are activated. The student was removed from class and questioned. Officers learned he had a brother in another class. The sibling was located and questioned. The juveniles’ backpacks, vehicle and lockers were searched and no weapons were found. Police then contacted the parents and confirmed there was no way they could have any weapons.
Monrovia Firefighters Pancake Breakfast - Demonstrations and More ...
Monrovia Firefighers' Pancake Breakfast May 13 from 7-11 a.m. at Fire Station 101, 141 E. Lemon. Jr. Firefighter Challenge, displays, bounce house, live demonstrations. Proceeds benefit Monrovia charities. For more information call 256-8181.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Help Package Cookies for Children With Illnesses
Help package cookies to be delivered to children in homes and hospitals at the Butterfly Kisses Foundation First Annual "Cookies of Love" Day on April 30 and May 1 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at the corner of Foothill Blvd. and California Ave. This new foundation is based in Monrovia. Contact the foundation at 824-1416 or at caring@butterflykissesfoundation.com to let them know the time, day, and number of people in your party. Foundation President and Executive Director Kelly Quezada writes: "Since I began my own cookie company in 2012, I have always wanted to find a way to help families and their children who are dealing with critical and ongoing illness." More about the foundation: http://www.butterflykissesfoundation.com/
City Letter to Monrovia Community
An Open Letter to the Monrovia Community
April 25, 2017
As you may have heard by now, on the evening of Saturday, April 22, 2017, there was a violent and tragic shooting at 134 West Cypress Street in Monrovia. The incident left one 18-year-old Monrovia resident dead, and another 17-year-old resident of unincorporated Monrovia in critical condition. Additionally, we are aware at this time that both of the shooting victims were Monrovia Unified School District students, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time.
Given the active investigation that is ongoing, there are few details about the shooting that the City can share. However, we are aware that this violent incident has inspired a great deal of speculation, which has resulted in the spread of inaccurate information being distributed in the news and across social media about gang crimes occurring in our City and region. To that end, we wanted to provide some factual information about the context for this incident and details about the City’s substantial and continuing efforts to curb gang violence in our community.
Regarding the most recent shooting, we do know that a Hispanic male in his early to mid-20s is the suspected shooter that law enforcement authorities are currently looking for. It appears that the shooter entered the rear garage located at 134 West Cypress Street through a back alley on the evening of April 22, 2017, at around 11:30 p.m. Upon his entrance, the suspected shooter encountered three individuals gathered in the garage, including the two Hispanic males and one Hispanic female. It is unknown at this time what the suspected shooter’s motivations were.
However, after a brief verbal exchange, the suspect proceeded to open fire and shot the two male victims, killing one individual and injuring the other. After opening fire, the suspected shooter fled the scene on foot into the alley located at the rear of the residence. Homicide investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are now investigating the case, which is the standard protocol for most murder investigations in our region because of the sophisticated tools and resources available at the County.
We recognize that any shooting causes real and legitimate fear in the community. However, as news of this recent incident has been shared, unrestrained speculation has resulted in reports that Monrovia has a significant gang problem. Such accounts are simply inaccurate. In reality, our community has very little gang activity, due primarily to proactive gang violence reduction efforts that the City has instituted during the past 10 years. As a result, there are virtually no gang members living in Monrovia today.
Back in 2007, Monrovia, Duarte, and the surrounding unincorporated Los Angeles County areas did experience a significant spike in gang violence and hundreds of gang members lived in the region. Much of the gang activity at that time was race-based, with significant conflicts between African American and Hispanic gangs. When confronted with this issue, Monrovia began working to remove criminal street gang members from our community. One of the City’s most effective measures was implementation of a preliminary gang injunction in 2009, which was eventually expanded to serve as a permanent injunction against the gangs in 2010. The injunction is still in place today and serves as a critical tool in the City’s efforts to identify and remove gang members from our community.
In addition to the gang injunction, the City has also worked for years alongside our neighborhood leaders to develop strategies to eliminate gang elements from Monrovia. For example, our Police Department has coordinated with community members to put pressure on landlords who rent to criminals, and in every case we have pursued, that pressure from residents and the City resulted in landlords evicting criminal tenants. Our Police Department staff have also assisted landlords in their efforts to evict criminal tenants by appearing in court to testify in contested evictions, while also providing landlords with information about ways to rent to responsible individuals.
After years of hard work, we have seen results here in Monrovia. Today, there are less than 10 gang members who live in our community, and because of our efforts, we have seen a major drop in both violent crime and gang crime in Monrovia during the past decade.
Unfortunately, the rest of our region has not been as proactive in working to remove gang members from their communities. For example, Duarte did not participate in the gang injunction. This means that the Hispanic gang and the Crip gang in Duarte have been unaffected by our injunction.
Also, while Los Angeles County did participate in the injunction (which applies to gang members living in the unincorporated areas surrounding Monrovia and Duarte), the County does not have the same type of focused community policing programs that we have in Monrovia, and they have not had the same success that we have had in removing gang members from the unincorporated areas surrounding our City.
These regional factors have resulted in many gang members still living in the areas to the south and to the east of Monrovia. And beginning in 2016, similar to the violence we saw in 2007, gang activity has erupted in our region. The gang violence has primarily been between the Crip gang in the unincorporated areas surrounding Duarte / Monrovia, the Hispanic gang in Duarte, and a Blood gang in Pasadena. And there have been multiple gang related shootings and homicides in Duarte, Pasadena, and the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas.
Throughout this recent surge in gang activity, Monrovia has avoided most of the violence because we have so few gang members living in our community. In fact, the City experienced very little gang crime in 2016. However, the reality is that gang members living in the region drive through Monrovia, visit friends / family in our City, and shop at our businesses. These factors, coupled with the few gang members who still live in town, leaves open the possibility that gang violence may occur here in Monrovia.
To that end, in addition to the most recent shooting we experienced on April 22, 2017, there have been three other recent instances of violent activity in Monrovia, which include:
1. On February 9, 2017, a male Hispanic gang member shot at a subject who was not a gang member in the 100 block of Los Angeles Street. Fortunately, the victim was not hit and Monrovia Police Officers quickly apprehended the shooter, along with two accomplices. In addition, City investigators were able to locate the gun that was used in the shooting, and the suspect is now awaiting trial. It is important to note that the shooter had been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in Ontario, California in 2015. Because of California’s early prisoner release policies, he was out of prison in 9 months and had come to visit a friend in Monrovia when he committed another assault, this time with a handgun.
2. On March 29, 2017, a subject was at a store in the 400 block of East Duarte road when he was shot at by a gang member while sitting in his vehicle. The victim, who was hit, fled the scene to his residence in the unincorporated area of Duarte, where his family then called for help. This was a case where rival gang members from areas outside the City were involved in a shooting at a business in Monrovia. The victim will survive his injuries and the investigation is ongoing.
3. On April 7, 2017, a drive by shooting occurred in the 100 block of East Los Angeles Street. During the incident, no one was hit and no one was injured. The shooting took place at a residence where Crip gang members associate, and the investigation is continuing. At this time, it has not yet been determined if the shooting was gang related or if the incident was provoked because of a drug related deal. Furthermore, while the Monrovia Police Department has been aware of the issues at this location, we have been unable to evict the residents because they own the home. However, the City has taken proactive measures in an attempt to resolve the issues at this problem address, including the installation of high definition surveillance cameras that monitor the entire street on a 24/7 basis.
It is always unacceptable when a shooting occurs in town, and last weekend’s shooting that resulted in the death of a Monrovia resident is a tragedy that will be thoroughly investigated. As we move forward, additional public information will be released when possible. However, as the process unfolds, we did want to make the community aware that there is a lot of inaccurate information about the shooting incident that is being spread on social media, including statements made that the second victim had died, which is not true.
There are also many inaccurate sentiments being shared that Monrovia is centrally involved in the regional gang violence that has been occurring since 2016. We have outlined in this correspondence all of the possible recent gang-related shooting incidents that have occurred in Monrovia. While it is true that gang activity spills into our City at times, the facts illustrate that gang violence is primarily originating from other areas where Monrovia has no jurisdiction. Furthermore, with regard to the latest April 22, 2017, shooting incident, it has yet to be determined if the matter is even gang related.
While social media can be a helpful way to share accurate information, it also frequently causes the spread of false information, as has been the case recently.
Here in our Monrovia, we have taken, and we continue to take, great efforts to reduce gang violence.
And our efforts have produced real results. As the chart below illustrates, violent gang crime in Monrovia has been significantly reduced over the years.
As we have worked together over the past ten years, Monrovia was able to reduce the number of gang members living in our community to make our City a safer place.
As we continue working together as a community, all of us here at the City are confident that we will be able to solve the real public safety issues that Monrovia faces today.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact City Manager Oliver Chi (626-932-5501, ochi@ci.monrovia.ca.us) or Police Chief Jim Hunt (626-256-8095, jhunt@monrovia.laclen.org).
Source: City of Monrovia
- Brad Haugaard
April 25, 2017
As you may have heard by now, on the evening of Saturday, April 22, 2017, there was a violent and tragic shooting at 134 West Cypress Street in Monrovia. The incident left one 18-year-old Monrovia resident dead, and another 17-year-old resident of unincorporated Monrovia in critical condition. Additionally, we are aware at this time that both of the shooting victims were Monrovia Unified School District students, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time.
Given the active investigation that is ongoing, there are few details about the shooting that the City can share. However, we are aware that this violent incident has inspired a great deal of speculation, which has resulted in the spread of inaccurate information being distributed in the news and across social media about gang crimes occurring in our City and region. To that end, we wanted to provide some factual information about the context for this incident and details about the City’s substantial and continuing efforts to curb gang violence in our community.
Regarding the most recent shooting, we do know that a Hispanic male in his early to mid-20s is the suspected shooter that law enforcement authorities are currently looking for. It appears that the shooter entered the rear garage located at 134 West Cypress Street through a back alley on the evening of April 22, 2017, at around 11:30 p.m. Upon his entrance, the suspected shooter encountered three individuals gathered in the garage, including the two Hispanic males and one Hispanic female. It is unknown at this time what the suspected shooter’s motivations were.
However, after a brief verbal exchange, the suspect proceeded to open fire and shot the two male victims, killing one individual and injuring the other. After opening fire, the suspected shooter fled the scene on foot into the alley located at the rear of the residence. Homicide investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are now investigating the case, which is the standard protocol for most murder investigations in our region because of the sophisticated tools and resources available at the County.
We recognize that any shooting causes real and legitimate fear in the community. However, as news of this recent incident has been shared, unrestrained speculation has resulted in reports that Monrovia has a significant gang problem. Such accounts are simply inaccurate. In reality, our community has very little gang activity, due primarily to proactive gang violence reduction efforts that the City has instituted during the past 10 years. As a result, there are virtually no gang members living in Monrovia today.
Back in 2007, Monrovia, Duarte, and the surrounding unincorporated Los Angeles County areas did experience a significant spike in gang violence and hundreds of gang members lived in the region. Much of the gang activity at that time was race-based, with significant conflicts between African American and Hispanic gangs. When confronted with this issue, Monrovia began working to remove criminal street gang members from our community. One of the City’s most effective measures was implementation of a preliminary gang injunction in 2009, which was eventually expanded to serve as a permanent injunction against the gangs in 2010. The injunction is still in place today and serves as a critical tool in the City’s efforts to identify and remove gang members from our community.
In addition to the gang injunction, the City has also worked for years alongside our neighborhood leaders to develop strategies to eliminate gang elements from Monrovia. For example, our Police Department has coordinated with community members to put pressure on landlords who rent to criminals, and in every case we have pursued, that pressure from residents and the City resulted in landlords evicting criminal tenants. Our Police Department staff have also assisted landlords in their efforts to evict criminal tenants by appearing in court to testify in contested evictions, while also providing landlords with information about ways to rent to responsible individuals.
After years of hard work, we have seen results here in Monrovia. Today, there are less than 10 gang members who live in our community, and because of our efforts, we have seen a major drop in both violent crime and gang crime in Monrovia during the past decade.
Unfortunately, the rest of our region has not been as proactive in working to remove gang members from their communities. For example, Duarte did not participate in the gang injunction. This means that the Hispanic gang and the Crip gang in Duarte have been unaffected by our injunction.
Also, while Los Angeles County did participate in the injunction (which applies to gang members living in the unincorporated areas surrounding Monrovia and Duarte), the County does not have the same type of focused community policing programs that we have in Monrovia, and they have not had the same success that we have had in removing gang members from the unincorporated areas surrounding our City.
These regional factors have resulted in many gang members still living in the areas to the south and to the east of Monrovia. And beginning in 2016, similar to the violence we saw in 2007, gang activity has erupted in our region. The gang violence has primarily been between the Crip gang in the unincorporated areas surrounding Duarte / Monrovia, the Hispanic gang in Duarte, and a Blood gang in Pasadena. And there have been multiple gang related shootings and homicides in Duarte, Pasadena, and the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas.
Throughout this recent surge in gang activity, Monrovia has avoided most of the violence because we have so few gang members living in our community. In fact, the City experienced very little gang crime in 2016. However, the reality is that gang members living in the region drive through Monrovia, visit friends / family in our City, and shop at our businesses. These factors, coupled with the few gang members who still live in town, leaves open the possibility that gang violence may occur here in Monrovia.
To that end, in addition to the most recent shooting we experienced on April 22, 2017, there have been three other recent instances of violent activity in Monrovia, which include:
1. On February 9, 2017, a male Hispanic gang member shot at a subject who was not a gang member in the 100 block of Los Angeles Street. Fortunately, the victim was not hit and Monrovia Police Officers quickly apprehended the shooter, along with two accomplices. In addition, City investigators were able to locate the gun that was used in the shooting, and the suspect is now awaiting trial. It is important to note that the shooter had been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in Ontario, California in 2015. Because of California’s early prisoner release policies, he was out of prison in 9 months and had come to visit a friend in Monrovia when he committed another assault, this time with a handgun.
2. On March 29, 2017, a subject was at a store in the 400 block of East Duarte road when he was shot at by a gang member while sitting in his vehicle. The victim, who was hit, fled the scene to his residence in the unincorporated area of Duarte, where his family then called for help. This was a case where rival gang members from areas outside the City were involved in a shooting at a business in Monrovia. The victim will survive his injuries and the investigation is ongoing.
3. On April 7, 2017, a drive by shooting occurred in the 100 block of East Los Angeles Street. During the incident, no one was hit and no one was injured. The shooting took place at a residence where Crip gang members associate, and the investigation is continuing. At this time, it has not yet been determined if the shooting was gang related or if the incident was provoked because of a drug related deal. Furthermore, while the Monrovia Police Department has been aware of the issues at this location, we have been unable to evict the residents because they own the home. However, the City has taken proactive measures in an attempt to resolve the issues at this problem address, including the installation of high definition surveillance cameras that monitor the entire street on a 24/7 basis.
It is always unacceptable when a shooting occurs in town, and last weekend’s shooting that resulted in the death of a Monrovia resident is a tragedy that will be thoroughly investigated. As we move forward, additional public information will be released when possible. However, as the process unfolds, we did want to make the community aware that there is a lot of inaccurate information about the shooting incident that is being spread on social media, including statements made that the second victim had died, which is not true.
There are also many inaccurate sentiments being shared that Monrovia is centrally involved in the regional gang violence that has been occurring since 2016. We have outlined in this correspondence all of the possible recent gang-related shooting incidents that have occurred in Monrovia. While it is true that gang activity spills into our City at times, the facts illustrate that gang violence is primarily originating from other areas where Monrovia has no jurisdiction. Furthermore, with regard to the latest April 22, 2017, shooting incident, it has yet to be determined if the matter is even gang related.
While social media can be a helpful way to share accurate information, it also frequently causes the spread of false information, as has been the case recently.
Here in our Monrovia, we have taken, and we continue to take, great efforts to reduce gang violence.
And our efforts have produced real results. As the chart below illustrates, violent gang crime in Monrovia has been significantly reduced over the years.
As we have worked together over the past ten years, Monrovia was able to reduce the number of gang members living in our community to make our City a safer place.
As we continue working together as a community, all of us here at the City are confident that we will be able to solve the real public safety issues that Monrovia faces today.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact City Manager Oliver Chi (626-932-5501, ochi@ci.monrovia.ca.us) or Police Chief Jim Hunt (626-256-8095, jhunt@monrovia.laclen.org).
Source: City of Monrovia
- Brad Haugaard
Concern Over Unity Center Moving to World Vision Building; $300 - Easy as Pie
~ A Planning Commission decision to grant a conditional use permit for Foothill Unity Center to purchase the World Vision building on Chestnut has been appealed to the city council. Some neighbors expressed concerns that it could cause increased traffic, that it will encourage the homeless to loiter in the area, and that there could be an increase in shopping carts in the area.
~ Sign up for the pie eating contest taking place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, as part of Monrovia Days. The Public Services Department is looking for teams of 5 people. The team that can finish eating their pies first (without the use of their hands) will win a $300 cash prize. The second-place team will win $150, and the third-place team will take home $50. Here's the application form: https://goo.gl/5NZgjK
Update from City Manager Oliver Chi: "I was writing tonight to let you know about a correction regarding the Foothill Unity Center! In our last City Manager’s Update, I incorrectly indicated that an appeal had been made of the Planning Commission decision to grant the Foothill Unity Center a conditional use permit to move to 790 West Chestnut Avenue. I was informed by staff today that although there were individuals who indicated their intention to appeal the decision, ultimately, there was no formal appeal filed. Therefore, the Planning Commission decision to grant a CUP allowing the Foothill Unity Center to move will stand, and the City is looking forward to working with the Foothill Unity Center on coordinating their move to the new facility, which will certainly enhance the ability of the Foothill Unity Center to continue making a positive impact here in Monrovia"
- Brad Haugaard
~ Sign up for the pie eating contest taking place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, as part of Monrovia Days. The Public Services Department is looking for teams of 5 people. The team that can finish eating their pies first (without the use of their hands) will win a $300 cash prize. The second-place team will win $150, and the third-place team will take home $50. Here's the application form: https://goo.gl/5NZgjK
Update from City Manager Oliver Chi: "I was writing tonight to let you know about a correction regarding the Foothill Unity Center! In our last City Manager’s Update, I incorrectly indicated that an appeal had been made of the Planning Commission decision to grant the Foothill Unity Center a conditional use permit to move to 790 West Chestnut Avenue. I was informed by staff today that although there were individuals who indicated their intention to appeal the decision, ultimately, there was no formal appeal filed. Therefore, the Planning Commission decision to grant a CUP allowing the Foothill Unity Center to move will stand, and the City is looking forward to working with the Foothill Unity Center on coordinating their move to the new facility, which will certainly enhance the ability of the Foothill Unity Center to continue making a positive impact here in Monrovia"
- Brad Haugaard
Canyon Oaks High Mourns Loss of Classmate Oscar Garcia
Monrovia's Canyon Oaks High School mourns the killing of classmate Oscar Garcia in a Saturday night shooting. A video report: https://goo.gl/YRq0mU
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
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