94 Volunteers Join City of El Monte and Volunteers of America at 2013 Homeless Count

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time at the 2013 Homeless Count on Tuesday, January 29th. 94 volunteers teamed up with members of the Police Department to conduct a count of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in our community. The City of El Monte partnered with the Volunteers of America Homeless Services for this county wide event. This count allows the County of Los Angeles to raise public awareness and identify the needs of the homeless population which includes housing. It also enables the County to demonstrate the region’s need for federal funding to prevent homeless and provide services.

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=57e591289cecdfba658f22e40&id=73fe81b160&e=dac1ddbdec

Don Travis Retirement

On Thursday, January 24, 2013, we wished a farewell to Don Travis at the El Sombrero Restaurant in El Monte.  Ten years ago, Don began his career as a volunteer in our Community Relations Office and volunteered over 20,000 hours.  “He was always the first person in and the last one to leave,” Detective Larry Fry said. “We are going to miss him.”  With his family and friends present, Chief Schuster presented Don with a badge display which commemorated his service to our community. Chief Schuster said Don worked twenty eight hours straight during the foothill fires above Sierra Madre. “Don never asked for relief or ask how long he was going to be out there.  That’s the kind of dedication that Don had,” Chief Schuster said.   On behalf of our department, we would like to thank Don for his dedicated service to our community and we wish him well in his retirement.   

Run. Hide. Fight.

Do you know what to do in the event of an active shooter? The "Run. Hide. Fight." videos produced by the City of Houston - Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security provide the information you need to survive an active shooter event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0


¿Sabe usted qué hacer en caso de un tirador activo? La opción "Ejecutar. Ocultar. Lucha". videos producidos por la Ciudad de Houston - Oficina de Seguridad Pública y Seguridad Nacional proporcionará la información que necesita para sobrevivir a un evento tirador activo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fUcq1M5a44

Press Release: Alarm Program Phone Number and Website Activated

Press Release: Alarm Program Phone Number and Website Activated

New and improved customer service enhancements of the City of El Monte’s alarm program are now in effect. The program, formerly administered by the police department, is now administered by PMAM Corporation. PMAM is a company which specializes in managing municipal alarm tracking and billing. PMAM will also process all alarm permit applications and alarm permit renewals. Please click on the image below for more information:

Meet Sgt. Cobian

The El Monte Police Department would like for its citizens to get to know the faces behind the names of those that proudly serve you.  Most do not know that many of the officers at El Monte Police have ties and history with the City of El Monte long before they worked here.

Sergeant Roger Cobian is a life-long resident of El Monte and a proud product of our El Monte Schools. He attended Mulhall School for Kindergarten through 6th grade, Frank Wright for 7th and 8th grades and graduated from Arroyo High School in 1993. 

After high school, Sergeant Cobian attended Citrus College in Glendora. There he joined the world renowned Citrus Singers and had the opportunity to sing classical and pop music in countries all over the world. When Sergeant Cobian finished with the Citrus Singers, he knew he wanted to give back to his community. He put himself through the Rio Hondo Police Academy in Whittier and just two weeks after graduating the Academy as Vice-President, Sergeant Cobian was hired by the City of El Monte as a police officer.  

In 2004 Sergeant Cobian earned the Department's Medal of Valor for saving two people from a burning car. After seven years working patrol and as a School Resource Officer, Sergeant Cobian was selected to work at the department's Community Relations Office. There he has worked extensively with families and school-aged children to find long term solutions to problems they face. Sergeant Cobian has also continued his interest in performing in the last few years by starring in the musicals "Beauty and the Beast," and "Phantom." He is the proud father of four and happily married to his wife who is an educator and full-time mother.

Submitted by Det. Frank Ramirez

Swearing in of New Reserve Officers

On Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 10:00 AM, friends, family and members of the El Monte Police Department joined Chief Schuster in the Wayne C. Clayton Administration Building for the swearing in of Reserve Officers Aldair Figueroa and Mariana Alvarez. Both officers recently graduated from Class 391 at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Several years ago, Officer Figueroa was sitting in the audience at New Lexington School watching a K9 demonstration by a member of our Department. As a young man, Officer Figueroa was very impressed by the demonstration and made the decision to become a police officer. “I wanted to help people and become a K9 and narcotic officer,” Officer Figueroa said and his journey to realizing his dreams began. Officer Figueroa, attended Muscatel Middle School and graduated from Rosemead High School. He continued his education at Rio Hondo College and Cal State Los Angeles majoring in Child Development. Officer Figueroa was hired by the El Monte Police Department as a Police Cadet approximately a year ago and assisted with our TORCH (Teaching Obedience Respect Courage and Honor) program, coordinating events and speaking with parents and children in our Community Relations Office. In his spare time, Officer Figueroa enjoys fishing, off-roading and “anything outdoors.”

As a young child growing up in El Monte, Officer Alvarez said a neighbor was the victim of domestic violence. An officer from our department helped the victim and she was impressed by the officers’ actions which inspired her to “change people’s lives.” At the age of 14, Officer Alvarez joined our Police Explorer program promoting to the rank of Captain before being hired as a Police Cadet a year and a half ago. “I hope to someday become an Advisor to help our young people,” Officer Alvarez said. The oldest of five children, Officer Alvarez attended Wright School, Legore School and graduated from Arroyo High School in El Monte. After graduation from high school, she continued her education at LA Trade Technical College. In her spare time, Officer Alvarez enjoys spending time with her family and riding her motorcycle.

We are proud to welcome both officers to the El Monte Police Department.

Galt Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

On behalf of the El Monte Police Department, our hearts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Kevin Tonn who was killed in the line of duty:

Galt, CA: On Tuesday, January 15th, 2013 at approximately 1130 hours, a burglary was reported in the 200 block of F Street in the City of Galt, CA. By the time officers arrived on scene, the suspect was gone and a man was seen walking along a nearby railroad tracks. Officer Kevin Tonn contacted the male subject and a physical struggle ensued. The suspect, 30-year old Humphrey Gascon II, drew a handgun and shot Officer Tonn. As the second officer arrived on scene, Gascon fired several more times before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life. Officer Tonn was transported to an area hospital and died of his injury. Officer Tonn was 35 years old and a 3 1/2 year veteran of the Galt Police Department assigned as a K9 handler. Officer Tonn served in the U.S. Army and worked as a firefighter and paramedic in New York before joining the police department in 2009.

For those wishing to make a monetary donation in the memory of Kevin Tonn, the city of Galt recommends one of the following: the Galt Police Officer's Association, 455 Industrial Drive, Galt, 95632; Foothills K-9 Association, 5098 Foothills Boulevard, #3-424, Roseville, CA 95747; or Kevin Tonn Trust Fund #82804382, Premier West Bank, 9340 E. Stockton Boulevard, Elk Grove, CA 95624.

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_39f9ecc2-e96c-5b55-b11a-318fc1be2bb0.html