MORE UNSOLICITED SOLICITORS

Some of you may have noticed three police cars out in front of our house today (Saturday, Jan 24). At approximately 11:30 A.M. a young Hispanic teen came to our door.  Like an idiot, I opened the door without first finding out who was there (got a real talking to later by Rob, speaking as both my boyfriend and attorney!)  The kid was dressed in gang type attire; long plaid shorts, LA baseball cap, oversized clothes, etc and told me that he was selling subscriptions to the Pasadena Star Telegram. He also said he was a student at Monrovia High School and that he was participating in the “BSO” program and that he would get school credits for doing this. He didn’t have any brochures or anything, just sign up forms. I asked for his business license, and he said that he didn’t have it, but I was welcome to speak to his manager, whom he said was in the area checking up on the other sales people.  I explained to him that he (and his manager) may be detained and possibly even arrested as our neighborhood watch was extremely vigilant and intolerant of solicitors. 

The young man gave me his name and offered to leave his phone number with me, and said that he would have his manager come back and show me all of the documentation. (However, when I asked him, he did not know his manager’s last name, but still insisted that this was an approved activity of the Monrovia High School).  I closed the door and was about to call the police, when his manager arrived a few minutes later and again I opened the door (I know, stupid!).  The manager confirmed the young man’s story. Interestingly enough, the manager did not seem very familiar with the young man’s name either! The “manager” showed me a completely water soaked print out of a civil code from a website that stated that he was not required to have a license since they were soliciting on the weekends and before dark.  At this point, I told him that I wanted to check with the Monrovia Police dept to legitimize this, and he agreed, Again, I went inside, closed the door and called the MPD. 

I explained the situation to the dispatcher, while amazingly enough, the two men waited on my front porch.  Before I was even off of the phone, three squad cars had pulled up and were in the process of interviewing the solicitors. At this point, I called Rob for back up and he came right home. 

Sergeant Coleman from MPD explained to the men that they were absolutely REQUIRED to have a business license from their company and additionally, they each were REQUIRED to have an individual personal license with a photo ID that they were REQUIRED to wear around their necks in order to solicit in the town of Monrovia. In the course of the interview, it turns out that the “Monrovia student” didn’t even live in Monrovia, but rather resides in Baldwin Park, and apparently is on suspension of some type. His “manager” supposedly works for a company called “Infinity Marketing” in Rancho Cucamonga, and claims he was unaware that he needed any kind of permits.  The police informed the two men that they would be arrested and their van confiscated if they continued to do this activity in Monrovia. 

Sargeant Coleman stayed a few extra minutes with us and explained that there are a number of companies out there who are dropping off carloads of these people, and that they do not tell the individual solicitors of the permit requirements, nor do they stand behind them when they are detained.  These companies do not want to pay the licensing fees, and therefore they just abandon the perps when they are busted. 

BOTTOM LINE:  DO NOT open your door to strangers, and DO NOT do business with solicitors who do not have a MONROVIA business license PLUS individual photo ID permits from the CITY of MONROVIA.  BOTH of these things are requirements, and they should be able to display them BOTH to you. Also, if you see this activity, Sargent Coleman said to CALL THE MPD immediately.  I am so glad that I did, and I can’t say enough wonderful things about their response time and handling of this matter. 

Julie Goldstein

Julie - thanks for sharing and giving us the detailed information.  The interesting part is that we have them claiming to be an MHS student which follows with some other scams, including one we were alerted on via an MUSD robo-dial message.  Scammers are out there.  Be alert and call MPD when you have a question about their legitimacy.  fraz

Coyote on the street Friday evening 1/23

Shortly after 8PM I was coming back from the Y with Joey.  We spotted an animal, looked like a dog walking from Roberto's through Julies yard into the street.  At first we were worried it might be someones dog on the loose.  Imagine our surprise when it crossed our headlights and we saw it was a coyote.

We stopped and backed up to keep an eye on it as it went across the Chan's yard between their house and the pink house.  When it hit the dead end it took of running, first to the Cohen's yard and back up towards the Birkholz.  We followed it a bit but it was running hard as it went around the street across yards.  We lost sight of it after the Valentines yard.  Given the speed it was running I suspect it kept going for a while longer.  Had it gone into someones back yard we would have alerted the neighbor and animal control.

Its just a reminder the wild animal problem we have been experiencing around town the last several months.  Coyotes are looking for food.  The will eat whatever food you leave out for your pets, or worse your pet if they are small enough.  Best way to keep them from hanging around don't put food out.  Keep an eye on your small pets  when they are out.

Strange door-to-door "sales"

Friday 1/16 night Stacey B had around 8-8:30 PM ring her door bell.  20ish Hispanic kid with a faux-hawk (her words) said he was selling magazines.  She said she wasn't interested.  He knocked again and was loudly begging her to please open the door.  She called MPD who responded.  She didn't ask for a call back regarding the outcome.  All we do know is that MPD responded.

Saturday  1/17 evening around 5PM a 20ish white guy, crew cut, mustache dark jeans and t's was came up to our porch.  I happened to be on the couch and heard the steps.  Our bell didn't ring.  He was looking into the house from the window.  Imagine his surprise when I just opened the door and asked if he needed help.  He said he was selling subscriptions and wanted to know what papers we get.  I asked him for his solicitation permit.  He said he didn't have one, but he knew where he could get one.  I asked him if he was aware he needed to have it on him and able to produce if we asked.  he said no.  I told him that we're serious with Neighborhood Watch and told him he's likely not going to get off the street before MPD would arrive.  He split.  MPD arrived and did their field interview.  

Point to this is strangeness is afoot.  Ask for their solicitation permit and if they don't have it ask them to leave.  

I need to let you know that a friend on Granite  Ave reported her neighbors work truck was broken into.  The window was smashed and there was an obvious tampering on the tool box.

Be alert.  Report what you see.  Make certain your house and cars are locked.  Make certain you don't leave things visible for a thief on the prowl can just grab.

One final note.  There were shootings again in the SE part of town on Sherman Ave.  The shootings is where Mr Rawlins was shot to death exactly one year ago.  The irony is that this took place during the Mayor's state of the city speech.  The larger story is currently locked over at the Star news but there is this small item here.  The frightening part is the clear racial overtones in the violence and in the topix discussion to the PSN article HERE.

Weds 1/14/09 oddity

Here's how it went.  Around 10:45 there was a Dark Gray Jeep parked at the end of my driveway.  I spotted it when I went out to get Kari over at MHS.  I returned a few minutes later and it was still there.  It was an older Cherokee type.  It was full of personal stuff like blankets, clothes and some food wrappers.

The occupant was a sitting/reclining in the driver seat.  Small guy, though heavy for his size.  Hispanic maybe late 30's.  I went up and asked him if he was waiting for anyone.  He sat up and pointed towards Rob and Julie's house.  He said he worked construction and was waiting for someone and pointed to a Champion Van parked by their house.  

I went into the house from the rear with the intent to call Rob/Julie and then MPD.  In the minute it took me to walk around he was gone.

I did talk with Julie and she verified they weren't having contruction done.

I did talk with Watch Commander Cpt Lee at  MPD.  He will pass the information on to the next watch commander.  He reminded me that I should have just called MPD right away instead of trying to talk with Rob and Julie first.  My fault.  I should have called even without a plate as the could have been watching for him right then.  He's gone and no harm done this time.

Lesson learned.  Call MPD immediately.

Free Booze and support the MUSD Schools 12/20

What could be better than free booze and some munchies?  Great Art and a chance to help the MUSD schools bring (keep?) art in the class rooms for the elementary schools.  Members of the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (MAFA) have donated art for a silent auction that night.  The proceeds will go to help MAFA continue its funding of art programs in the schools and community.  

It should be a fun evening.  Very relaxed a half dozen artists showing their work, including me.

Frank

MPD on the street - Neighborhood Watch in Action

Around 4:38 Shane calls and lets me know a guy was at his door saying he was selling magazines.  The guy had none of the usual accroutrement one would see with a door-to-door magazine.  Shane recalled the post here a few weeks back about the Robo-dial message from MUSD.  He ask's the guy where is his "sellers permit" issued by the city.  The guy says he has none, Shane tells him no thanks and warns him "You probably should leave as this street is pretty tight and you won't get much further without MPD being called".

Shane calls me.  He tells me he saw the guy last heading to Robertos and leave. While we are talking I see him going to Rob and Julies.  I tell him to call MPD and let him know I saw him there looking in the windows.  I asked him to let MPD know to talk to me as well as I saw him look into the window over at Rob's and Julies then move towards the Cohen's front door.  At that point my view of him was blocked by trees.

  

Shane calls MPD and calls me back.  He tells me MPD will send someone.  About that time he tells me he see's the guy had made it around to the Birkholz.  It was my turn to call MPD with the new info so Shane could watch.

As I was talking with MPD dispatch the first squad car arrived.  While I was on the line they had me relay what I saw.  Then 2 more squad cars arrived.  By 5 the first of the cars left,  a few minutes later the remaining cars left.  

I don't know what the guy was up to.  I do he was given a field interview by MPD per the information from dispatch while I was on the phone with them.  We do know he wasn't around after MPD left.  Thanks for the fast response MPD.

It pays to share with each other, watch and report as we see strange stuff.  If anything when these field interviews are conducted on our calls they do know we are watching and will call MPD to report unusual activity.  

As we noted the other day here, report what you see.  Lock it up to prevent the crimes of opportunity that happen in the area.

City Manager Report addresses crime prevention

If you haven't taken the time to visit the city managers weekly recap you should.  The reading is tedious and editorial in nature, kind of like a lot of blogs: shameless self-promotion, but good bits can be found.  From the report this week an interesting comment on controlling crime through neighborhood awareness and reporting it to the police and sharing with each other.  

"One of the best ways to combat residential burglaries is to have “eyes on the street” – to keep neighbors engaged and vigilant, to be aware of suspicious cars and people on the block, and to guard against “crimes of opportunity”. Especially with this last point, it is important to notify to the Police Department of even minor incidents. This helps police track crime trends and find clues. For example, a car owner might leave their doors unlocked and notice the next morning that the tray of small change has been emptied and CD’s are gone. Many times, victims of this type of crime will blame themselves rather than notify the police (“It wasn’t that much money and, besides, I left the door unlocked.”) But it is precisely this type of crime report that helps us understand if there is a problem on that street, and the magnitude of the problem (for example, is it simply kids doing stupid things or has the neighbor’s trouble-bound son or daughter just gotten out of jail?). Make no mistake; this kind of activity can happen anywhere in our town. And it is important that we don’t get scared or rattled, but rather that we get involved.

Thus, I strongly encourage folks to take up the Community Policing Bureau’s offer to establish/reinvigorate a local Neighborhood Watch program. It can be as structured or as casual as folks might desire, and it is a great way to get to know the people on your street."

If you see something going on let Renee and I know, we'll publish it here.  If dire enough Renee will do a mass email as well to make sure the word is out.

North Primrose Blogs notes increased area burglary

Hey all, it stands to reason we go shopping and the bad guys visit us or rifle through our cars looking for goodies for gift giving as well.

Home burglary in particular are on the upswing in Monrovia.  North Primrose blog notes conversations with MPD regard some specifics up on Scenic and Canyon.  The latter is too close to home so pay heed.  Read their two posts HERE and HERE.

In short lock your house.  Lock your car and don't leave anything of the car like GPS, iPods to tempt a thief.

I for one would like to seem some robo-dials on crime in the area just like the one we recently had regarding the coyote attack on the bicyclist.

Happy Holidays are here.  Who will have the most over the top Display this year?  Seems we have two really consistent ones...

Coyote Attacks, Lions and Monrovia Neighborhood Watch

I just ran a post on LA Metblogs regarding the robo-dial message we got from MPD on the coyote attack.  I have to give hats off to MPD for that message and alerting us to the hazard this poses to all of us, but the little ones and pets on the street.  

Mountain Lions continue to be a problem in the area as well.  Two have been killed in as many months.  Early September was one in Monrovia and the other was a few days ago in Arcadia. All very unnerving, especially so when you realize we have a large open field abutting the neighbors on the north end of the street.  If you see predators prowling call MPD immediately.

A final note.  Monrovia City Watch is a good source of information, and editorial regarding City Government.  To better assist all of us in monitoring crime and knowing what to watch for he has started a sub-page appropriately named "Monrovia Neighborhood Watch".  If you see a crime and and want it reported let him or me know. If you wish to remain anonymous your privacy will be respected.  

So far what has been reported shows that daytime home burglaries are continuing.  The problem with wildlife in the neighborhoods is a bit more than local news sources have reported as well.

Frank

Door-to-Door Fund Raising Scam Alert

For those of you who don't have kids in MUSD you missed a robo-dialed message from Dr. Taylor, MUSD Superintendent that we received a few minutes ago.

"Dear MUSD Families,

We have been made aware that groups of youths are going door-to-door identifying themselves as members of the MHS ROP selling subscriptions to the LA Times as a fund raiser.

It is False.  They youth are not MHS Students.  They are not associated with MHS or MHS ROP. MHS ROP has no such fund raiser in progress.

If someone knocks on your door trying to sell you a subscription turn them away.  Immediately call Monrovia PD and alert them.

Thank You,

Dr Louise Taylor"

Frank