A surprise disaster drill gave the police and fire departments and the Methodist Hospital a valuable exercise. Arcadia High School drama students portrayed the victims.
A new regional federally funded program, called NERBIT (Northeast Regional Burglary Investigative Team) went into operation July 1, 1975. While Arcadia is not a participant due to a man-power shortage, Police Chief Martin expects spin-off benefits to accrue to the city.
The Arcadia Police Department has decided against a strike at this time, but vowed to fight City Hall over a contract dispute. A 5% salary increase was approved, but not the extensive retirement benefits which were sought.
Arcadia Police Department has received a grant of $142,286 to set up a trial traffic safety program. It is enough to purchase one extra car and pay the salaries of three policemen who have indicated an interest. The goal is to reduce personal injury and fatal traffic collisions by 3% each year.
Description of the newly formed Crime Impact Team, which consists of representtatives of 8 cities: Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monrovia, Monterey Park, San Gabriel and Temple City Station of LA County Sheriff's Dept. The Team is an outgrowth of the West San Gabriel Valley Burglary Investigation Unit, which ran out of federal funds.
Arcadia Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was able to successfully resolve a tense hostage situation on October 7 at a doctor's office at 125 E. Duarte Road.
Arcadia now has two patrol wagons that will be used to transport prisoners from the scene of the arrest to the station. The wagons can pick up several prisoners and book them all at once, allowing officers to spend more time in the field.
Seven San Gabriel Valley police departments have started a new program that will coordinate efforts to trace criminals who do not limit their activities to one city. Hopefully this will avoid duplication of effort by the various cities.
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.
Arcadia police are investigating a claim by Ken Wright, an Altadena man, that a plainclothes Arcadia officer followed him to Pasadena and, without identifying himself, shot at him at least 5 times. Wright will file a claim for damages against the officer and the Arcadia police department.
The police department is using two dogs trained to attack to search out narcotics and to search buildings and yards for burglars. Each dog has four handlers, so they can be available on call 24 hours.