National Stop On Red Week

The week of August 2-8, 2009 is National Stop on Red Week. The Federal Highway Administration created the program in 1995 to education the public and promote safe driving habits. The program calls attention to the dangers of red light running each year. Regardless of measures taken by Law Enforcement agencies to convey to the public the dangers involved, some motorists still continue to ignore the law and run red lights. Red light running is one of the leading causes of collisions throughout the State. Additional information can be found at the FHWA website or at StopRedLightRunning.com. As always, drive safely and drive smartly!

Residential Burglary Arrest

A 29 year old man from Los Angeles was arrested early yesterday afternoon on suspicion of residential burglary by Arcadia Police Officers. An Officer noticed a vehicle pulling away from a home where a burglary alarm had been activated. The vehicle and subject were stopped and evidence related to burglary, including a large amount of currency and Asian coins, along with other items led police to believe that the individual was indeed involved in the crime. An area around the original incident, the 1800 block of South Sixth Avenue, was searched for possible additional suspects but none were found.

Fire Extinguisher Repair Scams

Ventura County businesses were being warned a few months ago about bogus fire extinguisher repair and recharging scams in their area. The Arcadia Fire Department also released a "Consumer Alert" on the topic back in April. Last Friday, several businesses in town were subject to persons posing as licensed fire extinguisher repair technicians who were charging fees to "recharge" the business extinguishers. APD Officers arrested a 23 year old man from Woodland Hills after he was identified by a local business owner after the suspect allegedly conducted such a scam. It appears that the suspect was operating without a City business license and had no equipment capable of recharging fire extinguishers. Although these incidents occurred in the downtown Arcadia area, all business should be aware of these scams.

If you have questions on the topic, refer to the Consumer Alert link above or call AFD at (626) 574-5104. If you believe that a crime is occurring involving this type of scam, or you have been victimized, call APD at (626) 574-5123.

Tuesday Tip - Radar, Laser or Pace?

Every once in a while, someone asks a question about fighting a speeding ticket. The first question I ask is, "How did the Officer catch you?" A friend of mine brought up the topic last week after getting cited by the CHP for speeding...laser. My best advice...traffic school.

Officers are required to attend certified training on use of a radar or laser device prior to conducting speed enforcement with those tools. Daily, the Officer checks that the equipment is properly functioning through a series of internal and external tests, depending on the device. That monitoring of the equipment continues throughout the tour of duty. Both devices are used to confirm the Officer's visual observation. The individual device is tested and checked for proper calibration by a certified technician annually or every three years depending on policy and law.

Every situation is different and there are many factors in play when it comes to a speeding ticket. CVC 40802 defines "speed trap" and gives requirements for speed surveys, roadway widths, Officer and equipment certification and more. A citation based on a "pace" does not fall under these guidelines. In my experience, a pace is based on the Officer's observation, distance, speed and should be by use of a speedometer that has been checked for calibration. A "pace" is basically fancy term for following you at a given speed.

Without getting technical, radar sends out a cone shaped beam that bounces off a target. Many factors can influence the speed return such as distance, size and speed of the objects, weather, roadway conditions and other factors. Radar has been around for a long time, is tested and is reliable. However, use of a radar requires the Officer to continuously monitor the conditions and base the speed return on his/her visual observations. The radar unit will display speed only, it does not measure distance. The Officer's testimony should include their observations as well as a tracking history.

The laser or LIDAR device is far more vehicle specific than the radar. The laser delivers a very narrow beam that is directed/aimed at a specific vehicle (pictured above). The device will display both the speed of the vehicle as well as the distance that the reading was obtained. A speed laser device is extremely accurate when used properly.

Most Officers will "lock" in the speed return on the device display. You may ask to see the equipment and most Officers will take the time to not only show you, but also explain the use of the device to you.

If you receive a citation, you have several ways to take care of the ticket;

• Paying the fine at the court, by mail, or on-line depending on the jurisdiction.



• Contesting the citation (Fighting the ticket) in person or by use of the "Trial by Declaration" (written) process.



• Attending "Traffic School". You will still pay a fine, but the citation is dismissed with no point on your driving record.

Paying the citation is your worst option in my opinion. You are out the fine and it is an automatic point on your record. Contesting the citation on a speeding ticket is difficult. If you lose, it is a fine and a point. If you plan on appearing; do your homework, be certain of your case, dress and act professionally, don't argue, don't get overly technical, but do present a well thought out defense. Most courts will not allow attending traffic school after trial. If you plan on fighting the cite in hopes that the Officer does not show up...it is a role of the dice. Our personnel are subject to discipline if they fail to show in court. Traffic school is the safest route, although you still pay the fine, your license is spared the point.

Like I told my friend, if you truly believe that you are correct and the Officer has erred or is wrong, contest the citation. Otherwise, my best advice...traffic school.

Respect for All - Civilian AND Law Enforcement

We are all guilty of jumping the gun from time to time, "Monday morning" quarterbacking and passing judgement on other people's action, especially when it comes to Law Enforcement action. Even the President can find time to criticise Law Enforcement action.

Law Enforcement Officers are taught early that our profession is one that is held to a "higher standard." From academy training on ethics and professionalism, the Field Training Officer who teaches and mentors, to the Supervisor who continues to monitor and develop Officers, new and experienced. The vast majority of Officers guide their careers by adhering to a "higher standard." Like all professions, there has and unfortuantely always will be the few that do not maintain that standard. It is the duty of every other Law Enforcement professional to hold them accountable. Conversely, we also have an obligation to stand behind any Law Enforcement professional who is wrongly accused.

A recent LA Times article by Sandy Banks refers to the Cambridge MA event as a "Power Play, not prejudice." The author makes some good points in support of her theory, but fails to recognize both sides of the coin. She even uses quotes from local Law Enforcement in an attempt to bolster her position. Look at the photo in the article. The Officer is holding a hand out, still continuing to attempt to calm the obviously yelling suspect. The author writes, "That's when the officer's actions turned a minor altercation into a national drama." I beg to differ. An Officer's actions at a scene are most often the direct result of the actions of a suspect. It is not the Officer that makes an individual uncooperative, unruly, or violent. The suspect makes a choice and the Officer is left to anticipate those suspect choices and actions, acting in response to the suspect.

Sandy Banks writes, I was angry when I first heard the news. If "Skip" Gates -- prominent scholar, author and friend of Barack Obama -- can be arrested on his own front porch simply for mouthing off to a cop, then the rest of us "loud and tumultuous" black folks surely better stay inside.

Where do we draw that line? Simply "mouthing off" is not normally beyond that line and most people recognize that. Officers take "mouthing off" all the time. It is the individual event as a whole that is considered. That is why there are laws in California that prohibit interfering with or delaying an Officer, threatening an Officer - there is a line and it does not matter who you are. It is the totality of the incident that determines where that line is drawn.

Law Enforcement is a difficult job. Early on, Sandy writes that we all deserve respect. How true! It does not matter who you are or what title you hold. But this also includes the Police Officer. It is not a citizens blind submission to authority at all. It should be simply a respect for the Officer who is trying to uphold the laws put in place by this society and for the Officer who is simply trying to do his or her job. Yes indeed, we all do deserve respect and have an obligation to respect everyone else as well.

Alarm Foils East Longden Residential Burglary

Officers responded to an audible alarm and residential burglary having just occurred at about 1:20 PM on Thursday. The burglary occurred in the 100 block of East Longden Avenue. Witnesses saw a male African American run out the front door of the house when the alarm activated. The suspect ran to an awaiting vehicle, driven by a second suspect and fled S/B on Lee Avenue. The first suspect was described as 20-25 years old, wearing a black jacket w/orange stripes and black pants. The driver was only described as a male African American with the suspect vehicle described as a dark gray, smaller SUV, similar to a Honda CRV or a possibly a Toyota 4 Runner.

After Hours Mall Burglary Interrupted

One of the owners of "Urban Street" came to the store to open up on Thursday morning and was surprised to find someone already inside the store. "Urban Street" is a clothing store at the Westfield Shoppingtown at Santa Anita. The owner confronted the suspect and tried to detain him but was unsuccessful when the suspect struck him several times. The suspect was able to get out of the shop and flee. The suspect was described as a male white, 20-30 years old, heavy set, about 5-09, and "bald." It appears that the suspect may have entered the ceiling from an adjacent vacant business and entered the store prior to opening.