San Gabriel Launches Online Reporting

The San Gabriel Police Department is proud to announce it will be providing a new online police reporting option for the public.  This web based reporting system will allow the public to file certain incident types (lost property, thefts, vehicle burglary, annoying/harassing phone calls, and vandalism) over the internet at their convenience.  The San Gabriel Police Department expects this internet based reporting service to be very popular among citizens who have come to expect police services to be provided immediately and conveniently online.

A special link has been established on our website which will allow the public to file a report at any time without having to wait for an officer to respond to their residence/business.  The public will be able to print a temporary copy of the report upon submitting the report.  The online report will be reviewed by police personnel and once approved, the filing person will receive an email with a copy of the report attached without cost.  The report will transfer into the San Gabriel Police Department’s records management system and receive the same attention and statistical analysis as if the report had been filed by a police officer.

This web based reporting option will allow officers more time to address community needs while keeping pace with the public expectancy to complete services via the internet.

We encourage the citizens of San Gabriel to visit the new web based crime reporting service which is available at www.sgpd.com.  For further information, contact Lieutenant Dan Russo at (626) 308-2844.

San Gabriel Police Department to Hold Zero Tolerance Distracted Driving

Enforcement Operation

As part of this month’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, the San Gabriel Police Department will be offering “zero tolerance” to those texting or operating hand-held cell phones on April 3, 2012 and on April 18, 2012.  Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited.  The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279.

Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk.  As a result, law enforcement across the state, including the San Gabriel Police Department is increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting.  This April will see over 225 local agencies plus the CHP conducting zero tolerance enforcements.

“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously,” said San Gabriel Police Department Chief David A. Lawton. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159?”

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.  Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.   In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.  When over one third of your brain’s functioning that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone “zombie.”

“Turn off your phone and put it out of reach as you get into the car,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.  “Think before you call or text someone.  If there is a chance they may be driving, let it wait.  It’s not worth it.”

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

April 28, 2012

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

San Gabriel, California – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has scheduled a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 10:00 am ‐ 2:00 pm. This nationwide one-day collaborative partnership effort of state and local law enforcement will offer the best way for the public to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

The DEA in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States previously conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Saturday, September 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills.

San Gabriel Police Department will act as an official drug collection site on Saturday, April 28, 2012.You may bring your unwanted prescription drugs to the San Gabriel Police Department, 625 South Del Mar Avenue, San Gabriel, CA 91776. For further information, contact Sgt. Brian Kott at (626) 308‐2845 or by email at bk076@sgpd.com.