City response about gang violence creeping into the city from other areas

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(link sends e-mail)) or Police Chief Jim Hunt (626-256-8095, jhunt@monrovia.laclen.org(link sends e-mail)).

Tom Adams, Mayor

Alexander Blackburn, Mayor Pro Tempore

Gloria Crudgington, City Council Member

Becky Shevlin, City Council Member

Larry Spicer, City Council Member

Oliver Chi, City Manager

James Hunt, Police Chief

Highlighted Activity for December 8-10, 2014

Commercial Burglary
December 8 at 6:17 a.m., an officer responded to a construction site in the 1800 block of South Mountain regarding a burglary investigation. Unknown Suspect(s) entered the property by cutting through a lock at a neighboring business. Once inside the lot, the suspect(s) used a blow torch to cut open the steel tool crib and stole the construction company’s tools. The tools from this company were for building the Gold Line yard.
Battery / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested
On December 9 at 9:37 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of California. A male and female who have a small child together were involved in a dispute with other family members at the location. As the father was leaving with the child in his arms, he kicked a piece of wood and it struck one of the family members. Officers arrived and detained the father. After investigation, the father was arrested for battery and for child endangerment. Additional factors regarding the care and health of the child have also surfaced that need to be addressed and the Department of Children and Family Services was contacted.
Receiving Stolen Property / Suspicion of Auto Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On December 9 at 2:23 p.m., while officers were on a follow-up response for the above battery and child endangerment incident in the 300 block of California, they were approached by a male victim of an auto burglary. The victim reported that a subject at the location the officers were at was wearing a shirt that had been stolen from his vehicle in the 300 block of East Palm earlier in the day. The officers detained the subject and checked his vehicle. A burglary tool was located and prints taken. Other items were also stolen. The suspect was wearing the victim’s shirt; he was arrested and
charged with receiving stolen property.
Hazardous Fuel Spill
On December 9 at 5:50 p.m., a fuel truck was leaking a trail of diesel fuel, causing several vehicles to lose traction in the area of Central and Myrtle. The truck had exited from the 210 Freeway and had trailed fuel from the freeway down the off ramp. An absorbent material was applied and a street sweeper removed the remaining material from the street.
Attempt Grand Theft Auto / Car-Jacking / Criminal Threats / Possible Gang Enhancement – Suspect Arrested
December 10 at 12:54 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting a male subject attempting to steal a car at a business in the 3000 block of South Peck. Officers responded, assisted by the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, and located the suspect hiding in a portable office. The suspect had entered the victim's vehicle and was successful in starting the vehicle. When he began to move the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle utilized a commercial fork lift to raise the vehicle so the suspect could no longer move it. Angered, the suspect threatened the victim. He claimed a local gang and threatened
they would come back and kill him. The suspect has numerous gang tattoos on his head, neck and body. The suspect was arrested and a bail enhancement is being sought, due to the nature of the threat and the gang association.
Domestic Violence
December 10 at 1:20 p.m., a male and female who have a child in common were riding
on a bus, heading east toward Azusa. The male was angry at the female for leaving the
welfare office before they could accomplish what they went in for, and he bit her several
times and began choking her. Other passengers on the bus intervened, and the male
suspect then assaulted an older Good Samaritan who was trying to help the victim. The
suspect exited the bus and fled. The suspect’s identity is known and a wanted person’s
entry was made into the law enforcement system. The investigation is continuing.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of August 21-24, 2014

Suspicious Subject
On August 21 at 8:13 a.m., officers responded to an apartment complex in the 100 block of West Olive regarding a male subject in his 20's pounding on the front doors. The subject then walked into an apartment. When officers arrived, the subject ran out of the complex and into traffic; he was nearly hit by vehicles. Officer detained the subject, and further investigation revealed the subject is Autistic and had walked away
from a group home in the 200 block of West Olive. It appears the subject was scared and was trying to get out of the complex. He has walked away from the home in the past.
Possession of Counterfeit Bills / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession
of Burglary Tools / Violation of Gang Injunction – Suspect Arrested
On August 21 at 7:36 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers observed a subject commit a vehicle code violation on a bicycle. A second subject was walking with him. As the officers made a u-turn and attempted to stop the bicyclist, he tried to hide behind a vehicle and the second subject ran. The bicyclist then tried to walk away from the officers. As the officers told him to stop, the subject lifted his left hand in the air and
something fell to the ground. The subject was detained, and the items that fell were determined to be counterfeit $20.00 bills. The subject was found to be in possession of burglary tools, a methamphetamine pipe, altered checks, and was also in violation of the gang injunction order. He was arrested and taken into custody for numerous charges. The second suspect was not located.
Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested
On August 21 at 8:00 p.m., a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a shoplifter in custody. The female subject went into the business with a pair of scissors concealed in her purse. She selected two pairs of earrings and to shirts, and then entered a fitting room. She switched price tags on the shirts and cut the tags off one pair of earrings. She returned one shirt and one pair of earrings to the racks, and then paid for one shirt that she had switched tags on, making it a lesser price. She then exited the store without paying for one pair earrings and was detained by store security. Officers responded to the location, arrested the suspect and took her into custody for commercial burglary.
Commercial Burglary / Identity Theft – Suspect Arrested.
On August 21 at 8:13 p.m., a female subject entered a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. She attempted to pay by using a fraudulent Mexico Metrical Consular Identification card. It had her picture on it, but someone else's identifying information.  She was detained by store security and was found to be in possession of another fraudulent Mexico Identification card. She verbally identified herself as a fictitious
person. Officers responded to the location and took the suspect into custody for the above listed charges.
Commercial Burglary
On August 22 at 5:40 p.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at a business in the 900 block of West Huntington. The suspects forced open the front door of the restaurant and kicked open the office door where the safe is located. The suspects did not attempt to get into the safe, but took cash from a register. The suspects were captured on video cameras. Both suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts, masks,
and gloves. The investigation is continuing.
Forgery / Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Violation of Gang Injunction – Suspect Arrested
On August 22 at 9:25 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of West Walnut regarding a suspicious person. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect trespassing in an apartment complex laundry room, charging his cell phone. Further investigation revealed he was under the influence of a controlled substance. This suspect was the subject who ran from officers on August 21. The suspect was also found to be in possession of a stolen personal check that was forged and made payable to him. The suspect was additionally charged for violating the conditions of the City of Monrovia's gang injunction. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Commercial Burglary
On August 23 at 4:39 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 1800 block of South Mountain on a burglary alarm activation. Upon arrival, officers discovered forced entry through a front glass window. It appears the suspect(s) kicked in an interior door leading into the accounting office. The suspect(s) ransacked the location and fled undetected. Officers conducted a building search, but did not locate any suspect(s).
The responsible person could not determine a loss at this time. The investigation is continuing.
Trespassing – Suspects Arrested
On August 23 at 10:58 p.m., a church in the 700 block of South Shamrock called police to report subjects trespassing. The property manager reported two suspicious subjects on the property. Officers arrived, located the suspects and arrested them for trespassing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On August 23 at 11:09 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers contacted a female in the 300 block of West Colorado. She was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She was arrested.
Residential Burglary
On August 23 at 11:24 p.m., a resident in the 1500 block of South Fifth Avenue called to report that someone had been in their home. They left their house at 9:00 p.m. and returned at 11:00 p.m. All doors and windows were locked, except a bedroom window off the master bedroom. Upon their return, they found dusty footprints on the bed in the master bedroom. The window was closed, but the screen was now bent. The suspect appears to have entered and exited through the same window and replaced the screen.
The loss is undetermined and the investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On August 24 at 11:28 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at California and Evergreen for a vehicle code violation. When the officer approached the unlicensed driver, he believed the driver was intoxicated, so field sobriety tests were conducted. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of March 6-9, 2014

Gang-Related Stabbing
March 6 at 6:25 p.m., Monrovia Police Department received a call reporting a possible
victim of a stabbing in the area of Magnolia and Montana. Officers were dispatched to
the area to search for the victim. A 19-year-old, male Black victim was found in the
1300 block of South Magnolia with two, non-life-threatening, stab wounds to the chest.
The victim told officers he had exited the bus at Magnolia and Huntington and started
walking south on Magnolia on the west side of the street. The victim reported that he
was approached by two male Hispanic suspects, approximately 19 years old. One of
the suspects yelled out a gang slur and then stabbed the victim twice in the chest. The
suspects then ran north on Magnolia towards Huntington. The victim flagged down
pedestrians and told them he had been stabbed.
Additional officers and Special Enforcement Team members searched the area for the
suspects, but they were not located. The investigation is continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
March 7 at 4:45 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of West Huntington regarding
the report of a vehicle burglary. Unknown suspect(s) broke out the windows of two
parked cars belonging to patrons of a hotel. The suspect(s) removed personal property
from the vehicles. The investigation is continuing.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of August 19-21, 2013

Suspicious Circumstance

On August 21 at 12:50 a.m., officers responded to the 500 block of South Mayflower regarding a suspect jumping over a neighbor's fence. All available personnel responded and with the assistance of the helicopter.  The area was cleared and the suspect was not found. There was no evidence of a crime.

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

On August 18, Special Enforcement Team Officers responded to 1700 block of South Fifth regarding a disturbance. Both subjects are known gang members and had been drinking. Through investigation, one was arrested for possession of a weapon with the intent to use, in violation of two counts of the gang injunction order and the other arrested for drunk in public.

Tip of the Week

“KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25” CAMPAIGN

“KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25” is a traffic safety campaign to raise awareness of the residential speed limit.  In California the speed limit in residential areas is 25 MPH, unless posted otherwise.  The goal of the “KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25” organization and the Monrovia Police Department is working together to end injuries and deaths that result from speeding vehicles in our neighborhoods.  The street in front of your home is over twice as dangerous as highways when it comes to number of deaths per miles driven (Federal Highway Administration).

The “KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25” organization, the Monrovia Police Department and the Monrovia Unified School District are working collaboratively to create safe streets through education and active community Involvement.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of April 11-14, 2013

Grand Theft - Utility Trailer

On April 11 at 7:23 a.m., dispatch received a call of a stolen utility trailer in the 1800 block of Santa Fe Place.  The utility trailer is 16 feet long, black in color with a tarp on it and the words "Bay City Electric.”  The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Burglary Commercial – Suspect Arrested

On April 11 at 10:31 a.m., dispatch received a call regarding a burglary that occurred in the 700 block of East Huntington.  A male suspect walked in and immediately filled a shopping cart with more than $250 worth of products.  The suspect walked past open registers and was heading toward the door when several store employees, not aware of his activity, walked to the exit area. He abandoned his cart due to the appearance of the employees just prior to exiting the door. The subject only had $5.00 on him and no other means to pay for the merchandise.  The subject was detained by an officer outside the store and arrested for attempt burglary.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

On April 11 at 11:18 p.m., an officer was driving in the 300 block of West Foothill when he observed three subjects walking in the area of several closed businesses.  All subjects were contacted and a female suspect was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia.  The female suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of Smoking Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested

On April 12 at 1:55 a.m., an officer observed a male suspect wearing gloves and a hooded sweat shirt with what appeared to be an eye hole cut out of the hood, in the 300 block of Sombrero.  The suspect was contacted and found to be in possession of a pipe for smoking methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested.  There was no evidence that the suspect had committed any other crime.  

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On April 12 at 12:33 a.m., dispatch received a call from a resident in the 200 block of Madeline, who observed a male suspect with one bicycle and leave a short time later with two bicycles. Thinking he had possibly stolen the second bicycle, the police were called. The officers observed the suspect walking in the 400 block of South Mountain and then go quickly behind a vacant house. The suspect was located and the bikes were determined to not be stolen.  The suspect had an outstanding warrant and was arrested.

Gang Injunction – Suspect Arrested

April 12 at 6:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Montana regarding suspicious subjects looking through vehicles.  Upon contacting the subjects, the officer found one suspect to be in possession of marijuana in violation of Monrovia’s gang injunction.  The suspect was arrested for violation of court order and possession of marijuana.

Possession of Marijuana / Transporting Marijuana / Possession of Concentrated Cannabis - Suspect Arrested

On April 12 at 8:35 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of West Central.  Upon contacting the driver, the vehicle smelled of marijuana.  Further investigation found a large quantity of marijuana in the vehicle. The suspect said he was delivering marijuana to co-op clients.  The suspect was arrested for possession, sales and transportation of marijuana.  The marijuana and money were seized.  Investigation continuing.

Gang Injunction – Suspect Arrested

On April 14 at 1:45 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle leaving the area in the 300 block of South Myrtle.  The driver failed to stop for a stop sign was driving without headlights and speeding. The driver is a gang member who has been served with the gang injunction. The driver was arrested for the traffic violations, possession of marijuana and violation of Monrovia’s gang injunction. 

Community Meeting about the Gang injunction.

I got an email from the city. There will be a community meeting regarding the gang injunction. The email also included 4 brochures in PDF format. If you would like the email sent to you drop me a note at frazgo@altrionet.com.

Without further adieu the email:

The City of Monrovia is committed to providing the safest environment possible for our community members. In an effort to maintain a safe and healthy community, the City of Monrovia, in partnership with the Monrovia Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, has instituted a gang injunction. A gang injunction is a restraining order against specific activities, in a specific geographical area, by specific individuals with known gang affiliations. With an unprecedented level of assistance from local law enforcement agencies, county, state and federal agencies, the Monrovia Area Partnership and the community itself, the gang injunction will be an important tool added to Monrovia’s anti-gang arsenal.

How will it affect you? ● What impact will it have on your neighborhood? ● How can you get more involved with the effort? ● What should you know about Operation Safe Neighborhoods?

You are invited to learn more about the OPERATION SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD: Monrovia’s gang injunction:

Community Meeting

Monrovia Community Center

119 W Palm Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016

Thursday, January 21^st, 2010

6:00pm

Everyone is Invited!

*Presentation by the Monrovia Police Department, cookies & coffee provided

Alexis Newell

Neighborhood Services Specialist

City of Monrovia

Ph: (626) 932-5584

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lock it up and stay safe, Renee and Frank

Fx: (626) 932-5569

Taggers punk our neighborhood

Sadly our neighbors closer to Foothill got tagged in the wee hours Saturday morning. MPD was called and assured the owner of the worst hit property the city would be by to remove it. (If the city can't clean it up soon we will. Frank, Mike and Joey visited with her and let her know we would clean it up for her if the city lets this go too much further). We may not be a "map" neighborhood but we deserve to be graffiti free as well!

Renee has a call into MPD to talk with the officer who took the report. She will find out if possible if we know which gang did it and what to watch for in the future to help prevent future incidents.

Karen who used to live on the street was by with Adrian on Sunday. As a little refresher she works for MUSD as a child psyche and is involved with at risk kids in our schools. She saw the graffiti and let Renee know that it was not a Monrovia gang. We don't know which gang it is, and we don't know if we should be reassured by it being "outsiders" or not.

As always if you see something going on call it in. If you see some up here that shouldn't be and they are some place where an outsider shouldn't be, call 911 as well. MPD needs our help to keep crime off our street.

MPD UPDATE

I am sure that you all received the Monrovia Police Department Watch Cap Newsletter last week. In case you did not I thought I would re-cap some of the highlights as part of our neighborhood watch ongoing updates.

The Chief of Police Roger Johnson urges Monrovia residents to act in the concept of community policing. He stresses that the police cannot eliminate the gang influences alone and the community as a whole needs to step up. Johnson states “It will require the collaborative work of government, law enforcement, business, schools, faith based organizations, and community members to be successful in eliminating gangs in our neighborhoods”.

The newsletter goes on to talk about graffiti. There are different types of graffiti, the taggers who believe they are creating art and the gang members who use graffiti to mark their territory or neighborhood in a city. The city of Monrovia removes or paints over all graffiti once it is discovered. If it is gang related it is photographed and passed to the Special Enforcement Team who helps identify the gangs and members. In addition the information is shared with local police agencies to raise awareness.

For those of you who did not write it all down at our neighborhood watch meeting the newsletter outlined the three common gangs we deal with in Monrovia:
· Monrovia Nuevo Vario- Hispanic Gang
· Duarte Eastside- Hispanic Gang
· Duroc Crips- Black Gang

All gangs spell trouble; please contact the police if you see any graffiti or tagging marked in our neighborhood with:
· The gang names, initials or symbol
· Nicknames of members
· Threats to rival gangs

The police suggest forming a neighborhood watch (already done!) to keep this type of activity out of our city. They remind us that criminals love darkness, (which our street is really dark at night), and whenever possible keep areas lighted to discourage criminal activity.
I hope this update is helpful if you did not get the newsletter.
Keep it safe,
Renee (and frank who pasted this in from her email)