Neal Johnson, 59, is stepping down as Police Chief after 38 years as an Arcadia police officer. He plans to work for an international security management company and open an office for the firm in Arcadia. He is also the national chairman for law enforcement sponsored Explorer Scouts.
Arcadia Chief of Police, Neal Johnson, has been appointed chairman of an anti-drug program sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Arcadia Post 247 American Legion members will be leaving their home of 69 years to move to a new meeting place sometime in the next few months. Faced with dwindling funds to finance much-needed repairs for their 2-story hall, the group has sold their property to a development firm that wants to build 40 homes in the area.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to build a 122-room hotel in East Arcadia. The deal with ESA Management, the parent company of Extended Stay America, calls for an expected completion date by mid-1998.
A nationwide forgery scheme uncovered by the Arcadia Police Department has resulted in the arrest of three men at the Santa Anita Avenue branch of the Bank of America.
The police department has been authorized to employ four new officers which will increase sworn personnel to 73. The department is purchasing three vehicles for parking control. Also authorized was the purchase of two narcotic sniffing dogs trained for the full range of police dog work.
A cooperative effort between the Arcadia Red Cross, Post Office and Police Department has resulted in an innovative program for special need individuals called, "Hey, Mr. Postman, check on me."
The Arcadia Police Department divisions are described. Specific mention is made of several detectives, including Lt. Edward Ostashay, Sergeant Andy Ballantyne, Agent Sharon Reynolds and Secretary Gail Post.
According to the Arcadia Police Department's monthly activity report for the month of December, which reports statistics for the entire year, daytime burglaries increased while night burglaries decreased. Also, there were no murders, 3 rapes, 2 attempted rapes, 36 assaults with a gun and 13 arrests for indecent exposure in 1987.
Michael Dougherty of Boy Scout Troop 103 has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Fewer than two percent of all scouts nationally earn the Eagle rank, the highest honor that can be achieved in the Boy Scouts of America.
Police Chief Charles Mitchell praises the work of the community based parent group Parent Alert. He discusses drug abuse in the area and the Police Department's role in helping prevent drug abuse.
Discussion of Parent Alert's activities including their 24-hour hotline (574-0600). The group, with 500-600 members, has been active for 10 years. REACH (Responsible Educated Adolescents Can Help) is an arm of the organization which is primarily concerned with drug and alcohol abuse among young people.