Monterey Park Fire and Police Confiscate 25 Tons of Fireworks

May 15, 2014 – The City of Monterey Park fire and police departments, responding to an anonymous tip received last week, discovered a large quantity of fireworks in a warehouse at 990 Monterey Pass Road. Upon inspection, fire officials discovered more than 25 tons of fireworks, which were confiscated and removed, filling seven large tractor trailers.

Initial investigation began with the inspection of a warehouse in which the fireworks were found. The fire and police departments are currently working with the state fire marshal’s office and city officials to determine health and safety, fire, and municipal code violations. City staff seized the fireworks, which have been transported to a secure location approved by the state fire marshal’s office to minimize the risks to the community.

The Monterey Park Fire Department would like to remind the public, especially during the drought and severe fire conditions, to be mindful of fire safety and be aware of the heightened risks that fireworks pose during this season. The department also thanks the public for their assistance reporting this issue and reminds everyone, “If you see something, say something.”

Monterey Park Police Department Warns of Southern California Edison Utility Bill Scam

June 4, 2014 – Over the past month, the Monterey Park Police Department has investigated two thefts by false pretense-fraud where the victims received a telephone call from a male suspect who has identified himself as an employee of Southern California Edison by the name of James Connor.

The suspect told the victims the electricity bill was overdue and the victim needed to pay the overdue balance to keep the electricity on. The suspect instructed the victims to purchase a Green Dot/Money Pak debit card for a specified amount and provide him the Green Dot/Money Pak account number along with the security code on the back of the card. The victims complied and later realized they were defrauded by the scheme and reported the crime to the police.

The Monterey Park Police Department Investigations Bureau is working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and Southern California Edison to identify and apprehend the perpetuator. The MPPD would like to remind all residents and business owners to always verify account information with the proper utility company and or credit card company for current billing information, the status of your account and to be cautious if a business or company specifically request payment using a third party credit/debit card such as the Green Dot/Money Pak card.

If you suspect you may be a victim of this type of fraud and reside and or own a business in the City of Monterey Park please contact Detective Bob Hung at 626-307-1241 or Sergeant Gus Jimenez at 626- 307-1487. If you reside or own a business outside of the City of Monterey Park and suspect you have been a victim of this scheme please contact your local police department to report the crime.

Monterey Park Police Officers Participate in Special Olympics Torch Run

Members of the Monterey Park Police Department Running Team participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday, June 5, 2014. At approximately 1 p.m., runners received the torch from the San Gabriel Police Department Running Team at Del Mar Avenue and the 10 Freeway. The Monterey Park Police runners then carry the torch for a 4-mile run to pass it on to the California Highway Patrol East Los Angeles Office running team at Atlantic Boulevard and Mable Avenue.

The Special Olympics Torch Run was conceived in 1981 by Chief Richard LaMunyon of the Wichita, Kansas Police Department as a way to involve his officers in the community by running a torch relay for their local Special Olympics. The Torch Run has grown to include over 97,000 volunteers in over 46 countries. The Torch Run has become the largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness event for the Special Olympics.

The 2014 Southern California Law Enforcement Torch Run involved more than 2,000 law enforcement officers throughout Southern California who will be honored to carry the Special Olympics torch over 1,500 miles through 200 communities.

Monterey Park Police Plan Weekend Drunk Driving Crackdown

Drivers are reminded to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

Officers from the Monterey Park Police Department’s DUI (Driving Under the Influence) Enforcement Team were deployed to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation Patrols deployed on Friday, June 13, 2014 between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

“We are working to make our community safe from impaired drivers,” said Monterey Park Police Chief Jim Smith. “This is a ‘zero tolerance’ crackdown so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!’”

In California, this deadly crime led to 774 deaths in 2011 because someone
failed to designate a sober driver. In Monterey Park over the past three years,
DUI collisions have claimed one life and resulted in 33 injury crashes harming 44 of our friends and neighbors.

DUI can impact the economy in addition to the pain and suffering of those immediately affected. Conservatively, a fatality has a $1.4 million impact, an injury $70,000, and a crash that only damages property averages nearly $9,000.

“California’s roadways are very much safer today than they were just a few years ago,” said Chief Smith. “The Monterey Park Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and prevent injuries.”

Funding for this program is from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report drunk drivers, call 911!