Crime & Safety

Local Officials Respond to Japan Earthquake, Tsunami

San Marino's police chief and local assemblymember shared their thoughts Friday regarding Japan's recent large-scale earthquake and tsunami.

San Marino Police Chief John Schaefer sent a brief e-mail to CLEARS subscribers--residents who subscribe to police and fire updates--Friday morning following the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan Thursday evening PST.

“Domestic media said the death toll was expected to exceed 1,000, most of whom appeared to have drowned by churning waters,” Reuters reported Friday at 3:53 pm PST.

In Friday morning’s message, Schaefer noted the tsunami warning for the coast of California and Taiwan, though the warning has since been downgraded to an advisory according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and shores near Los Angeles and Taiwan are unscathed as of late Friday afternoon.

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“While the impact of this incident in Japan is catastrophic, the impact here is minimal,” said Schaefer in the message. “None-the-less this serves as an excellent reminder to be prepared for the large scale earthquake that may some day strike California.”

In the midst of February’s , Schaefer to residents about the importance of preparedness and banding together during times of emergency. He stressed that while violent political revolts are not likely to take place in San Marino, residents should prepare for events like earthquakes, especially in Southern California.

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(D-Monterey Park), who represents various San Gabriel Valley cities including San Marino, issued the following statement Friday in response to the Japan quake and tsunami:

“I offer my deepest condolences to the Japanese people and the Japanese American community in the wake of this catastrophe. I strongly support the U.S. government taking all appropriate actions to respond to this disaster, and help them recover from this terrible tragedy. We stand in solidarity with Japan in their hour of need.”

Schaefer told San Marino Patch Friday that he was not aware of any San Marino groups organizing Japan relief efforts but that it was "pretty early yet".

To find ways to aid Japan earthquake and tsunami relief, .


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