Tuesday Tip - Awareness and Avoidance

With two resdiential robberies having occurred in Arcadia in the last week, you may be thinking about how to do your best not to allow this to happen to you or your family. One of the best strategies is prevention. Be aware of your surroundings. Who is walking near you? What vehicles are parked nearby? Look around!

• Approaching your home, be aware of pedestrians and vehicles. Are there persons you don't know or vehicles that you don't recognize? If so, record their descriptions and drive on. Don't just pull in and park.
• "Follow home" robbery victims are targeted long before they arrive home. Be mindful of cash and large purchases while shopping. Watch for vehicles following you and making repeated turns behind you. If you feel you are being followed, drive to a busy, open location or the local police station. Keep your doors locked and call the police.
• While home, don't just open the door to a knock or bell! Ask who is at the door. If you have not scheduled an appointment, verify a service worker with a phone call before opening the door. Look for a legitimate uniform and service/delivery vehicle.
• Keep your home secure. Lock your doors and windows!
• Maintain your exterior lighting.
• When you leave your home, look around. Don't just walk away or drive off. Again, if you seen anyone or anything suspicious, call the police.
• See our previous post on "Being Safe at Home" for additional tips.

There is no perfect answer to crime prevention. However, your best defense is a proactive offense and being aware of what is happening around you at all times. Awareness and avoidance will certainly aide in your personal and family safety.

Four Officers Murdered in Lakewood, WA

The APOA wishes to send their condolences to the members of the Lakewood Police Department in Washington. Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owens, Officer Tina Griswold, and Officer Greg Richards were killed on Sunday, November 29, 2009 by a gunman in a Lakewood coffee shop. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the slain Officers and to all members of the LPD family.

Donations can be made to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild via their website HERE. Additional information on this tragedy and the lives of the Officers can be found on both the Lakewood Police Department website and the Guild website.

Arcadia family bound in home invasion robbery - SGVTribune.com

Arcadia family bound in home invasion robbery - SGVTribune.com

Have a Great Thanksgiving!

Best wishes to all on this Thanksgiving Day!

Tuesday Tip - Tis the Season...Don't Become a Victim!

With "Black Friday" upon us, tis the season for thieves to be looking for an easy target. Shoppers everywhere will be crowding stores and check-out counters in search of grabbing bargains and deals. But just as you may be shopping for a gift, the bad guys (and gals) may be shopping for your wallet, credit & debit cards, car keys, or your recently purchased treasures. What can you do to help protect yourself?

Start by shopping smart. Always be aware of your surroundings and who is near you. Don't become so engrossed in your shopping or check-out that you fail to see the person sliding up next to you or your cart. Never leave your purse or purchased items unattended in a cart, on a counter, or at a table...not even for "just a minute." Thieves will look for easy targets and persons who may be inattentive to their belongings. That open purse or wallet next to you while you are making your purchase is an invitation for theft.

Be mindful of your personal space. If you are "bumped" on the side or someone just happens to slide up close to you, check your wallet or purse and make sure that you have not become the target of a thief.

Watch your cards! Credit, debit, charge cards are easily "skimmed" by use of portable devices meant to quickly capture your card information. Your information can be later transferred to a magnetic strip on a different card and used for theft. The employee should be sliding your card right in front of you. If there is a need to move to a different register, go with them.

Keep an eye on your accounts. Check your balances and statements often. Watch for any unauthorized activity and report it immediately if discovered.

Don't leave valuable items in your vehicle. Do your best not to use your car as a storage compartment. Thieves will target persons who load up their vehicle and then walk away. Keep any items out of plain sight.

Tis the season for celebrations, not for becoming the unfortunate victim of theft. Do what you can to help prevent a crime before it happens! Don't become a victim!

Annual Festival of Bands - Road Closures

The City of Arcadia is hosting the 56th Annual Festival of Bands Parade on Saturday, November 21, 2009. Forty high school bands will compete in this prestigious event. There will be a number of street closures associated with the event that may affect vehicular travel. The parade will take place on Baldwin Avenue and Duarte Road in Arcadia on Saturday, November 21, 2009. Street closures will be as follows:

 Baldwin Avenue between Huntington Drive and Naomi Avenue – CLOSED for vehicular traffic from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

 Duarte Road between Golden West and El Monte Avenue – CLOSED of vehicular traffic from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

 Campus Drive between Santa Anita Avenue and Holly Avenue – CLOSED from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Residents living south of Huntington Drive, north of Duarte Road, east of Baldwin Ave, and west of Holly Ave are encouraged to use the intersection of La Cadena and Huntington Drive as the primary entrance and exit from the area. Other residents will be allowed into the surrounding areas with proof of residency.

Protect+Yourself+from+Office+Theft

Protect+Yourself+from+Office+Theft