By Susan Motander
At almost 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning, July 12, four men broke into a home in the 1000 block of Lemon Avenue in east Monrovia.
Wearing hoodies with the drawstrings pulled tight around their faces, they forced the home owner to open his safe from which they stole a handgun, three rifles, and a shotgun. The robbers also took cash and a laptop computer.
After they had fled, the resident who was at home with his wife, daughter, and the daughter’s boyfriend, called 911.
Unfortunately, the residence is in close proximity to Bradbury and the resident used his cell phone rather than a landline. The call was sent to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), rather than Monrovia Police. For some reason, it was then routed to LA County Fire, who ultimately connected the caller to Monrovia PD.
According to Monrovia Police Chief Jim Hunt, a full investigation is underway. He said the suspects had already left the location when the emergency call was made.
He also explained that while most 911 calls made on cell phones are directed to the correct agency based on the built-in GPS systems in the phones, there are some exceptions. “If you live immediately next to a freeway, your call may be sent to the CHP,” he explained. Such calls from freeways throughout the state are sent directly to the CHP, unfortunately, the GPS system cannot distinguish between on and adjacent to a freeway.
Fortunately, several years ago, then City Council Member Joe Garcia, saw a problem with calling 911 from cell phones. At that time, all 911 calls from cell phones went to the CHP. Seeing the need and at Garcia’s insistence, Monrovia established a phone number individuals could program into their phones for immediate contact with Monrovia Police Dispatch: (626) 357-CELL (2355). This number is still functional.
Now, with better GPS monitoring, the calls from can be correctly routed by the various cell phone providers. There are some areas where problems still arise. Those calling from areas directly adjacent to another police jurisdiction (such as Bradbury in this case) or next to a freeway (Evergreen Avenue was the example Chief Hunt cited) may find their calls sent to the CHP dispatch, rather than the local police.
Monrovia Police can always be reached on the cell access number or business line: (626) 256-8000. On weekends and during off hours, the business line is often answered by dispatch. If not, a quick request for “Dispatch” will put a caller in immediate contact with emergency assistance.
