Full Notification

March 23, 2020 –
The men and women of the Covina Police Department continue adapting to the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand its effects on our community and we remain focused on our Mission.
Many things have changed since my last NIXLE message and I wanted to continue communicating with the public on a variety of messages relating to COVID-19 and the response by members of the Covina Police Department. All of us watch the news and hear reports about the significant concerns surrounding our elderly population so I wanted to address a number of specific issues focused on them exclusively. My mom and aunt live in the region and both are almost 90 years old so knowing about their safety and wellbeing concerns hit home for me. Therefore, I thought it only proper to author this message to ensure the “bedrock of our community” is in the forefront.

With that said, I am asking each of you to please check on your elderly neighbors and ensure they have what they need during this difficult time. This can easily be accomplished via a simple phone call, text message or knocking on their door and talking through a barrier such as a door, window, or at a safe distance of at least 6 feet.

If you have not had much of a relationship with your elderly neighbor(s), now is the time to change. Lasting relationships are often built in times of crisis and damaged relationships can often be repaired under the same trying conditions. Please take the first step for the greater good and reach out now, just keep your social distancing and make the 6 foot introduction!

During these conversations, please ask your neighbors how they are feeling. If they are lacking anything such as food, medicine or have any other immediate needs. It is critically important that we care for these residents and ensure their needs are being met in order to keep them safe and away from exposure to COVID-19.

Additionally, please also be on the look-out for scammers trying to take advantage of our elderly population. Scammers can take several different forms and many can be found in an on-line setting. Examples include fake sites claiming to be the World Health Organization website where they steal your email and password, fraudulent e-mails claiming to be the CDC with a link that downloads Malware and lastly, charity scams claiming to solicit funds for COVID-19 victims. In your conversations, please remind them that these types of scams are on-going and evolving and when in doubt, they can call the established City of Covina COVID hotline at 626 384 5431.

Lastly, I want to remind our elderly population that they have no obligation to answer the door for solicitors, especially during the current situation. If a solicitor is being pushy or persistent and won’t take no for an answer, contact the Covina Police Department.
 
Remember, Covina Seniors can still get meals through the Senior Center's nutrition program and contact (626) 384-5380 for more detailed information.

On behalf of the men and women of the Covina Police Department, thank you for your assistance and help in caring for our community. We rely on the public to be our eyes and ears at all times and in all ways and are grateful for the partnership we share with you in protecting our community.
 
John Curley
Chief of Police