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Lunch at Los Chiles Loco


Lunch at Los Chiles Loco, at the corner of Myrtle and Duarte Road, next to the car wash. I got a Panzon Burrito (beef, beans, rice and a chile relleno) for $8.25 and a horchata for $2.75. This is a taco stand, so no indoor seating. Big! Enjoyed every bite.


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Fake Grandson Defrauds Grandma; Peeing in Public; Theft From Shopping Cart; Threatened Suicide; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 28 – April 3. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 394 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Drinking in Public – Subject Issued a Citation
On March 28, at 8:51 a.m., an employee from a business in the 300 block of W. Foothill called to report that a subject was in public drinking alcohol. Officers responded to the location and located the subject who was in possession of several open containers. He admitted to drinking alcohol and was issued a citation.

Delaying & Resisting / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
On March 28, at 3:30 p.m., a resident in the 800 block of W. Walnut called to report that two suspicious subjects using a slim jim in an attempt to unlock a vehicle. Officers arrived and found the vehicle unoccupied. A computer check revealed the vehicle was stolen. While officers were checking the vehicle, the suspects appeared several yards away, saw the police and ran. Officers began a foot chase which resulted in one subject entering a home. The second subject was not found. Officers were able to enter the home where the suspect was last seen. The suspect was identified by officers and arrested. A computer check revealed the suspect had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Monrovia Police Department for booking.

Shoplifting
On March 28, an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called to report that a male subject entered the store, selected some power tools and fled the store without paying. The subject entered a 2-door red Honda sedan with a black hood and sunroof and fled the scene. This investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary
On March 29, at 4:01 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm for a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington. Officers arrived and saw the front door was shattered. An entire search of the business was conducted but the suspect(s) had already fled. Officers contacted a responsible party for the business to determine the loss. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto - Recovered
On March 29, at 6:20 p.m., officers were patrolling a parking lot in the 900 block of S. Fifth when they saw a suspicious vehicle parked in the area, which was unoccupied. A computer check revealed the vehicle was stolen out of Los Angeles. Officers recovered the vehicle and the Los Angeles Police Department was notified.

Fraud - Telephone Scam
On March 29, at 8:55 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Hill called to report that she received a telephone call from a subject identifying himself as her grandson. The subject told her he was involved in a car accident that resulted in numerous injuries and that he needed her to purchase $6,000 in prepaid gift cards in order for the charges against him to be dropped. The victim complied and went and purchased the gift cards and relayed the information to the caller. Shortly after, the victim got in touch with her actual grandson who confirmed he had not been part of the accident nor had he requested her to purchase any gift cards. This investigation is continuing.

Indecent Exposure / Urinating in Public – Suspect Arrested
On March 30, at 11:19 a.m., an employee from a business in the 300 block of S. Myrtle called to report that a subject was urinating in public. Officers responded and located the subject sleeping on a bench. The officer reviewed surveillance video from the business and could clearly see the suspect laying on the bench. While lying on the bench, the suspect reached into his pants, exposed himself, and urinated, when he finished he went back to sleep. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Attempted Burglary
On March 30, at 4:58 a.m., officers responded to an alarm call at a business in the 100 block of S. Myrtle. Officers arrived and discovered that the rear door was not secure. Surveillance footage showed a suspect tampering with the door to the business. Once he unlocked the door and opened it, the alarm sounded and the suspect fled.

Sex Offense
On March 31, at 12:31 p.m., a caller reported she was at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington, and while she was loading merchandise into her vehicle, she saw a male driver in a vehicle masturbating. The victim told the subject to leave and he drove off. This investigation is continuing.

Theft
On March 31, at 8:49 p.m., a victim who was shopping at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington, called to report a theft. The victim reported that a subject stole her wallet from a shopping cart she was pushing through the store. Her credit cards and $80 were stolen from her wallet. This investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On March 31, at 10:58 p.m., a caller reported that an intoxicated person left a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill got into a vehicle and drove away. Officers located the vehicle traveling on Foothill. A traffic stop was conducted and the subject was positively identified by the reporting party. A Field Sobriety Test was conducted and the subject was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Vehicle Burglary
On April 1, at 9:25 p.m., a victim called to report a vehicle burglary in the 800 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked his vehicle and went inside a business. When he returned to his vehicle, he noticed the window had been smashed and his briefcase had been stolen. The briefcase contained medical records of numerous people. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
On April 2, at 9:44 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of Almond called to report a theft. The victim parked his vehicle in front of his residence on April 1st and when he returned to his vehicle on April 2nd, he discovered the catalytic converter on his vehicle had been stolen This investigation is continuing.

DUI – Suspect Arrested
On April 3, at 2:48 p.m., a citizen called to report a vehicle driving erratic, eastbound Foothill from Fifth. The caller gave a description of the vehicle with a license plate and of the driver. Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle. They noticed several driving violations and stopped the vehicle. The driver displayed symptoms of being intoxicated. A DUI investigation was conducted and the driver was subsequently arrested.

Petty Theft
On April 3, at 12:10 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of E. Lemon called to report a theft. The resident walked outside his home and discovered someone had entered his unlocked vehicle. The suspect took some coins and a few dollars from inside the car. This investigation is continuing.

Suicidal Subject
On April 3, at 5:47 p.m., a motorist in the 100 block of E. Duarte called to report a male subject driving a black RAV-4 east with a gun to his head. The caller did not see the license plate and lost sight of the vehicle. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle. A few minutes later, a caller reported her ex-boyfriend called her and said he was going to kill himself. The description of her boyfriend’s vehicle matched that of the prior caller. A DMV check revealed he lived in Arcadia. Arcadia Police searched for him at his home, but they were unable to locate him. The subject was located a short time later in the city of Temple City and taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation.

Vehicle Burglary
On April 3, at 6:22 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 500 block of Sombrero. The victim had parked her vehicle for several days and when she returned to her vehicle, she noticed it had been ransacked. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
On April 3, at 6:26 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Colorado called to report a theft. The victim discovered the catalytic converter had been stolen from his Toyota Prius. The vehicle had been parked in front of his residence. The investigation is continuing.

Jewish Food Festival This Sunday in Library Park

This Sunday, April 7, the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys will present the Jewish Food Festival at Library Park in Monrovia, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event will celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of Jewish communities throughout the world and throughout history.

The festival will feature favorites such as Matzah Ball Soup, Brisket Sandwiches, Falafel, Black and White cookies, Noodle Kugel and others. Food demonstrations will include pickle making, challah braiding and soft matzah. There will be a special Kids Zone area with bounce houses, craft projects, face painting, balloon artist, a chance to explore a fire truck and police car, and a couple places for kids to read to dogs. Other opportunities include a Beer and Wine Garden, and a Visual Arts Exhibition showcasing local Jewish artisans.

Musical performances will take place throughout the day and will be headlined by Mostly Kosher, the acclaimed klezmer gypsy-rock band that spent the past two years as part of Disney's Festival of Holidays, and children's recording artist Jason Mesches.

The event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the festival or online at www.jewishsgpv.org/jewish-food-festival or by calling 445-0810. For more information about the Jewish Food Festival, please call the Jewish Federation at 445-0810.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Free Neighborhood Conference

Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) will hold its free 10th Annual Neighborhood Conference this Saturday, April 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock. Workshop Topics: Neighborhood Treasures, upcoming development, de-escalation simulations with Monrovia Police, history, active shooter training, renewal updates. For further information contact MAP staff at 932-5563 or map@ci.monrovia.ca.us. Details: https://goo.gl/P67uoE

- Brad Haugaard

Fatburger and Buffalo's Express Opens in Monrovia

A Fatburger and Buffalo's Express co-branded restaurant opened on April 2 in the shopping center at the northeast corner of Huntington and  Fifth Avenue. The restaurant will be open 7 days a week, 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. https://is.gd/iGO36n



I dropped by and snapped a picture of the menu.


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wine Walk April 13


3rd Annual Old Town Monrovia Wine Walk, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. Stroll through Old Town, exploring each business, and sampling wines and enjoying music. Spend $100 in Old Town in one shopping/dining experience and receive two pre-sale tickets for $35 each, a savings of $10. (Receipts must be presented when purchasing tickets from the Community Center, 3 Beauty Bar, Charlie's House, PrimeLending, Sauté, or Sunday's Old Town Bistro to receive discount.)

- Brad Haugaard

Tip-A-Cop to Benefit Special Olympics

- Brad Haugaard

Fountain to Falls Race May 11

 
- Brad Haugaard

Easter Egg Hunt in Recreation Park April 20


- Brad Haugaard

Earth Day in Canyon Park


- Brad Haugaard

City Installing 16-Inch Water Pipe In North Monrovia; Easter Egg Hunt; Fountain to Falls; Tip a Cop; Etc.


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

~  Work begins next week on construction of a 16-inch water pipeline from the intersection of Laurel Lane / Canyon Crest Drive, over to Canyon Boulevard, and then north on Canyon Boulevard up to the Oakglade Reservoir. It's designed to improve water flows, pressure, and reliability

~ Spring Egg Hunt & Healthy Kids Day will be April 20. There will be arts and crafts to face painting, carnival games to a petting zoo, wellness activities to healthy lifestyle demonstrations, and toddler to teen activities. Registration for the Easter egg hunt will begin at 9 a.m. For more information call the Department of Public Services at 256-8246.

~  The 2019 Fountain to the Falls Run/Walk & Health Fair, a 6.38 mile out-and-back race from the Library Park fountain to the Canyon Park waterfall, will be held Saturday, May 11, at 7 a.m. Registration is $45. For additional information contact the Monrovia Community Center at 256-8246.

~  Tip-A-Cop. The Monrovia Police Department will host a fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics on Thursday, April 11, from 5-9 p.m. Police and LA County deputies will be servers at Claim Jumper (820 W. Huntington). All tips will be donated to the Special Olympics.

~  This week AT&T will be poking around in 24 manholes around town to test the capacity of their fiber-optic lines.

~  A workshop on how to make a 30-second public service announcement will be held on Wednesday, April 17, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the Community Media of the Foothills studio at 847 E. Olive (the Mary Wilcox Youth Center). To learn more or to RSVP call 357-4974 or email kgemtv@gmail.com.

~ Teens in Grades 7-9 can participate in one of three summer sessions of the Junior Researcher Academy, hosted by the City and the Oak Crest Institute of Science. They'll be introduced to a variety of scientific fields through hands-on experiments with  research scientists. $100 per session (scholarships available). Details: https://is.gd/txAh6r

~  The City of Monrovia will begin accepting applications for this year's Youth Employment Services Summer Internship on Thursday, April 4. The program includes workshops and training on topics such as resume building, job opportunities in city government, financial literacy, college admissions, and Q&A with city leaders, including the city manager. https://is.gd/EDp5U9
~  2019 is the 10 year anniversary of the new Library building. To celebrate, the Monrovia Public Library will be labeling social media posts and promotional materials with #mpl10 and with this design created by Youth Services Librarian, Anush Balayan.

~  There will be an informational meeting about the Monrovia Community Garden on Saturday, April 13 in the Library Community Room from 9-10:30 a.m. The Garden is a joint project between the city and Mountainside Communion Church, and the garden will be on the church property. There will be private raised beds for rent, educational workshops, community engagement, and public demonstration gardens.

- Brad Haugaard

Josie - A Royal, But Doesn't Need a Castle

Josie (A473564) is a cool cat that has yet to be impressed by us hoomans. We've wined and dined her, presented her with gifts galore and even performed our brilliant song and dance numbers, but nothing has captured her attention! One of her den neighbors, told his friend, who told PHS staff that she is of royal descent. Josie is a gorgeous, elegant feline, but the royalty rumor has not been substantiated. We do know that she's 6 years old, truly a beauty, but definitely not the cat to get the party started. Our shy "Royal" Josie needs a best friend she can trust and a peaceful forever home. Note: new home need not be a castle.

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

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 at pasadenahumane.org.

Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Rebates Available for Replacing Grass With Low-Water Landscaping

If you are thinking of replacing some or all of your grass with low-water landscaping, Metropolitan Water District is offering a $2 per square foot rebate on your landscaping costs. Details here.

- Brad Haugaard

City Council: Next 'Neighborhood Treasure' is Japanese American Community; Federal Recreation Area Overlapping Monrovia

Proposed plaque honoring Japanese American community.

At its next meeting the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider spending up to $15,500 for a plaque commemorating Monrovia's Japanese American community, the latest in the Neighborhood Treasures series. Called "Pioneers of Monrovia," the plaque, which will be mounted on a post in a neighborhood near Huntington Drive "commemorates the history of Japanese Americans in Monrovia, who made significant advancements for local agricultural and business interests." It also remembers their internment after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Ten proposals were submitted and the Allocation of Art in Public Places Committee unanimously selected the proposal by Maryrose Mendoza. Installation is scheduled to take place the week of May 13. https://goo.gl/bcYfXS

~  Hear a report on a proposed bill by Senator Kamala Harris, which would mirror Congress member Judy Chu's proposal in the House of Representatives, to create a recreation area in the mountains behind Monrovia, and which would overlap a bit into the city itself. https://goo.gl/cTkEmV

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Discuss Two Monrovia Properties

Property on Highland that is under discussion.

In a closed session meeting before next Tuesday's regular Monrovia City Council meeting, the council will meet to discuss "price and terms" for two properties:

1. The parking lot at 217 E. Lime, on the north side of the street about a block and a half east of Myrtle. The city is negotiating with Overton Moore Properties, which is "a premier full service commercial real estate company," according to the company's web site.

2. A large property at 347 Highland Place, in north Monrovia and, interestingly, adjacent to the Hillside Wilderness Area.

In both instances it is unclear who the buyer is and who is the seller is. I could guess but I won't.

https://goo.gl/1V47Tj

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Something Healthy Cafe


Lunch at Something Healthy Cafe , on the east side of Shamrock just north of Huntington. Got the Southwest Salad for $9.25 and for $2.25 upgraded from a bag of chips to a cup of coconut curry soup. Nice outdoor seating for pleasant days. The food was really excellent! Why don’t I come here more often?

- Brad Haugaard 

Spring Library Book Sale in May


On Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19 the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library will hold its Spring Book Sale. (Members get to pick through books the day before, if you want to join.) Hundreds of books for all ages for sale at rock-bottom prices. Friday noon to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and from 4-5 p.m. for the $5-a-Bag sale. https://goo.gl/orgVCA


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Mom Won't Give Son Money, He Hits Her; Social Security Phone Scam; She Scratches Him; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for March 21-27. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 424 service events, resulting in 71 investigations.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
March 22 at 2:19 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Duarte called to report a male and female arguing in the area and causing a disturbance. Officers responded and located the subjects. An investigation was conducted and the male subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Traffic Collision
March 22 at 10:21 a.m., a traffic collision was reported at the intersection of Fifth and Huntington. A motorist was involved in a minor, non-injury, traffic collision with another vehicle. She requested an officer assist them in exchanging information only and did not desire a report. Information was exchanged.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 22 at 8:00 p.m., a subject was reported soliciting in a parking lot of a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill. Officers arrived to the location and contacted the subject. The subject smelled of alcohol and was determined to be too intoxicated to care for himself or the safety of others. He was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 22 at 8:40 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 400 block of W. Huntington when he saw a man stumbling along the sidewalk, nearly falling into the street. The officer contacted the subject to check on his welfare and determined the man was too intoxicated to care for himself or the safety of others. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for a sobering period.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
March 22 at 11:07 p.m., officers were patrolling the 2500 block of S. Myrtle when they saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving in lanes of traffic. A traffic stop was conducted and further investigation revealed the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Battery
March 23 at 6:27 p.m., a physical altercation between a male and female was reported at a residence in the 1700 block of S. Mayflower. Officers arrived on scene, but the male subject fled prior to their arrival. The female victim is the male suspect's mother. She reported that her adult son came to her house asking for money, and when she refused to give him money, he battered her. The victim was treated on scene by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics for minor injuries. An emergency protective order was obtained against the suspect. Investigation continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 9:16 p.m., an officer detained a suspicious subject who was loitering in the 700 block of E. Huntington where an alarm activation occurred. During a consensual search of the subject, a methamphetamine pipe was recovered from his pocket. He was arrested and later released with a citation to appear in court.

Fraud / False Personation – Suspects Arrested
March 23 at 10:16 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a shoplifting incident that had just occurred. Officers arrived on scene and located the suspects. During the investigation, the female suspect produced someone else's identification to officers and tried to pass it off as her own. The male suspect was found to be in possession of various identification cards and bank cards issued to different people. Both suspects were arrested for a variety of charges. During the booking process, it was revealed that the female suspect was not truthful about her name. Once she was positively identified, a computer check revealed she had a full-extradition warrant from the US Marshalls for her arrest.

Driving Under the Influence / Non-Injury Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 11:21 p.m., a vehicle was traveling east in the 400 block of W. Duarte and collided into a parked vehicle. Officers arrived on scene and during the collision investigation, there were indicators that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were conducted, and the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Vehicle Burglary
March 24 at 4:45 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of E. Huntington. The victim called to report his vehicle was broken into while it was parked at a business. The vehicle window was smashed and miscellaneous paperwork was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting
March 24 at 4:17 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. An employee called to report that two suspects entered the store, took merchandise and fled in a vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Telephone Scam
March 25 at 7:08 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of E. Los Angeles reported she had received a call from a male suspect who identified himself as working for the Social Security Administration. The suspect threatened that if she did not give him her social security number, he would send the FBI to her house to arrest her. The victim hung up the phone and called the police. The investigation determined this was a scam telephone call with the intent to defraud the resident. Several other residents throughout the city received similar calls throughout the day.

Trash Picking / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 25 at 9:17 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Shamrock reported a male subject rummaging through homeowners private trash cans. Officers responded and contacted the subject, who advised he knew he was not permitted to rummage through trash cans, but was going to continue doing it anyway. A computer check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and taken into custody.

Shoplifting
March 25 at 4:52 p.m., security for a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a shoplifting incident that just occurred. A male suspect entered the store with an empty shopping bag, filled the bag with clothes, and then ran out of the store without paying for the merchandise. Officers searched for the suspect, but could not locate him. This investigation is continuing.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
March 26 at 9:07 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 100 block of W. Duarte. Officers arrived and spoke with all parties involved. No one was injured and the party at fault was issued a citation.

Grand Theft
March 26 at 3:22 p.m., an employee from a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain called police to report a theft. A male suspect went into the business and stole power tools. He fled the location in a green Toyota Camry before the employee could call police. The suspect was not located and the investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 26 at 9:23 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of W. Huntington. The victim reported his vehicle was broken into while he was inside a business. Officers arrived and located an additional vehicle that was burglarized. The two vehicles had the windows smashed and items taken included suitcases, backpacks, a laptop and miscellaneous personal items. Investigation continuing.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / False Identity / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 27 at 9:16 a.m., a Monrovia Police Detective was traveling through the 500 block of W. Colorado when he saw a vehicle with expired registration tags. The detective stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver. The detective saw a glass pipe that had been used to smoke methamphetamine in plain view in the vehicle. The suspect was arrested and then he provided a false name to officers during the booking process. Previous booking photographs revealed who he was and it was discovered he had a no-bail felony warrant for his arrest, which was added to his charges.

Residential Burglary In-Progress
March 27 at 10:57 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of Mill Run called police to report that two male suspects had just burglarized her neighbor's home and were fleeing the area in a black vehicle after the house alarm was activated. Officers arrived, but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. Nothing was seen in the suspect’s hands as they ran from the house. The suspects had shattered a window to gain entry. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 27 at 11:17 p.m., a family disturbance was reported at a residence in the 200 block of W. Pomona. Officers arrived and located the subjects involved. The officers determined there was an altercation between a male and female subject. During the altercation, the male subject suffered multiple scratches and abrasions. After investigation, the female was determined to be the aggressor and was arrested for domestic violence.

In April - Especially - Monrovia Police Will Bust Drivers Using Cell Phones

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Monrovia Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies statewide stopping drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law. On April 4 and April 18, Monrovia Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking specifically for drivers on their cell phones.

Last year, Monrovia Police Department issued 168 citations to drivers texting, calling or performing other functions on their phone. Distracted driving is dangerous, especially when it involves a cell phone. According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol, 66 people were killed and more than 6,500 injured in 2017 from distracted driving-related crashes.

“Cell phones remain one of the top distractions for drivers,” Monrovia Police Lieutenant Daniel Verna added, “Like any bad habit, it can be hard to break, but this habit can have life-altering consequences.”

A 2018 observational survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety on driver cell phone use found about 4.5 percent of drivers are still using their cell phone illegally, a nearly 27 percent increase from 2016. “That text or phone call will never be worth losing a life over,” said Lieutenant Verna. “That is why curbing distracted driving is high on our priority list.”

Under the most recent cell phone law that went into effect in 2017, drivers are prohibited from having a phone in their hand for any reason and can only use their phone in a hands-free manner. The phones must be mounted on the dashboard, windshield or center console, and can only be touched once with the swipe or tap of a finger to activate or deactivate a function. First-time offenders face a $162 fine.

If you need to make a call or text someone, pull over and park at a safe location. Struggling to stay off the phone while driving? Put your phone in a place you can’t reach, like the backseat or trunk.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police press release

- Brad Haugaard

Suspects Arrested in Connection with Fire at Magnolia/Chestnut Auto Shop


According to Pasadena Now, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the fire that occurred on Oct. 9, 2017 at the automotive customization and repair shop at 900 S. Magnolia, at the corner of Chestnut. The LA County District Attorney’s Office has filed 10 felony counts against Alan Sosa (39), Delmy Diaz (40) and Daniel Garcia (40). Charges include conspiracy to commit arson, arson of a structure, arson of property, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and using a device to accelerate a fire. https://goo.gl/A7AMZx

- Brad Haugaard