Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
February 10, 2013
Dear Community Members and
Department Personnel:
For your Information:
Free Gun Disposal Offered by the Pasadena Police
Department: I would like to remind community members that they may
dispose of unwanted firearms through the Pasadena Police Department. All
types of firearms are accepted, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, antiques,
or replicas, regardless of their condition. There are no costs associated
with surrendering your firearm.
Community members can request a police officer to respond to
their home or business in Pasadena, where they can surrender the weapon.
Individuals may also transport the unloaded weapon to the Pasadena Police
Department at 207 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena. If you intend to
transport the firearm into the police station, please contact the Pasadena
Police Department beforehand at (626) 744-4241. The police operator will
provide instruction on the safe and legal means for transportation. Gun
registration or related paperwork is helpful, although not necessary to
voluntarily surrender the firearm.
The police department also accepts unwanted ammunition;
however, military ordinance requires special handling and will be evaluated for
safe disposal by law enforcement personnel on a case by case basis.
Removing unwanted firearms by turning them into law enforcement is an important
step community members can take to ensure guns never end up in unintended hands
and possibly used in a violent crime.
Save the Date:
Black History Month Events for 2013, include:
·
February 16, 31st Annual Black
History Parade & Festival
·
February 16, “Traces of the Trade: A Story
from the Deep North”
·
February 21, “Where We Are, Where We’ve
Been: Stories from African And African-Americans”
·
February 22, “Senior Night Out”
·
February 24, “Praise Dance Jubilee”
·
February 28, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta
Lacks: An Evening with David ‘Sonny’ Lacks”
For more information, contact numbers, and helpful internet
links, please visit the City of Pasadena’s Website at: www.ci.pasadena.ca.us.
On April 13, 2013, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,
Pasadena Alumnae Chapter is hosting the 2013 Young African American Women’s
Conference at Pasadena City College, 1570 East Colorado Boulevard. The
conference is from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and features diverse workshops,
engaging presentations on educational choices, career options, embracing youth’s
uniqueness, as well as personal development. Dr. Rema Reynolds, Assistant
Professor from Azusa Pacific University, will be the keynote speaker addressing
students, parents, and others attending the conference. If you have
questions, email Pasadena.yaawc@gmail.com.
To register, please visit online at http://yaawc2013.evenbrite.com.
El Centro de Accion Social is hosting its Annual
Cesar Chavez Commemoration and Peace Walk, March 30. The peace
walk will start at Villa-Parke Community Center (363 East Villa Street) inside
the Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. Following a rally for peace, participants
will march from Villa-Parke to Robinson Park, where a few community leaders
will speak on reducing violence and creating peace. For more information,
please contact El Centro de Accion Social Executive Director Randy Ertll at
(626) 792-3148, or randy.ertll@elcentropasadena.org.
For more information on El Centro de Accion Social, please visit www.elcentropasadena.org.
Our Community:
On February 1, Pasadena Police Commander Chris Russ and
Sergeant Chris Sharma attended a faculty/parent meeting at Lycee
International School to discuss public safety and violence. During the meeting
of about 15 attendees, Chris and Chris touched on the “Best Practices” schools
should consider when dealing with school emergencies and the anticipated police
response. Lycee International School Administrator, Phillipe Detzen,
coordinated the meeting.
On February 2, Pasadena Police Lieutenants Cheryl
Moody and Jason Clawson, Sergeant Robert Tucker, and Police
Dispatcher Richard Mahoney attended the 31st Annual Black
History Parade and Festival Opening Reception, which was held at the
Alke-bu-Lan Cultural Center. Jackie Robinson Community Center Supervisor,
Jarvis Emerson, served as the emcee for the reception. VIPs included Pasadena
Human Services & Recreation Administrator, Horace Wormely, PUSD School
Board President Renatta Cooper, retired Police Lieutenant Phlunte
Riddle, and her husband, Ed.
On February 4, Commander Chris Russ and Lieutenant
Jason Clawson attended the Madison Community School Collaborative Meeting
at Madison Elementary School. The meeting was organized by Madison
Elementary School Principal, Carmen Serrano, and brought together community
partners in an effort to share information and resources. Principal
Carmen Serrano announced that the newly constructed Healthy Start Family Center
building is near completion and a grand opening is tentatively scheduled in
March, 2013. Mercy Santoro, Director of City of Pasadena’s Human Services
and Recreation, provided an update on the City-School Work Plan, which will
be presented to the Pasadena Board of Education and City Council on February 19th
at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
On February 4, City Manager Michael Beck and I attended
a meeting at the Flintridge Center to discuss gun violence. The meeting
was focused on the feasibility of a “grass roots” gun-buy-back program. Community
Leader Jill Shook, and Flintridge Center Executive Director, Jaylene
Moseley, organized the meeting.
Later on the same day, Pasadena Public Health Director
Dr. Eric Walsh, Human Services & Recreation Director, Mercy Santoro,
Flintridge Center Executive Director, Jaylene Moseley, and I all
presented information to the Pasadena Public Safety Committee (PPSC). The
presentations were focused on youth intervention, prevention, and gun
violence. The PPSC discussed the value of gun-buy-back programs and the
city / nonprofit’s efforts to reduce gun violence.
On February 5, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Lieutenant
Tracey Ibarra and I had the opportunity to visit with Former Pasadena
Police Chief Bruce Philpott. Chief Philpott retired from the Pasadena
Police Department in 1991. Chief Philpot implemented several proactive
programs during his distinguished career. Assistant to the City Manager,
Delia Cory, organized our visit.
On February 6, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Commander
Chris Russ, and I attended a meeting with PUSD Superintendent Jon Gundry
and key members of his staff. Our discussion focused on student and staff
safety, increasing information sharing, and the next steps moving forward.
On February 7, Sergeants Bobby Lomeli and John
Luna attended the El Centro de Accion Social meeting which focused on a
healthy and safe San Gabriel Valley. El Centro de Accion Executive
Director, Randy Ertll, coordinated the meeting.
On February 7, Pasadena Police Sergeant Art Chute,
Officer David Thomas, and I met with the League of California Cities
VIPs at the Rose Bowl. Mayor Bill Bogaard is the current President
of the League of California Cities and hosted a tour for league
representatives. Art and David explained the role of the Pasadena Police
Department at major Rose Bowl Events. VIPs also included City Manager
Michael Beck, Rose Bowl General Manager Darryl Dunn, and Chief Operations
Officer George Cunningham.
On February 8, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls and
Terri Qualls, Commanders Lisa Rosales, Lieutenants Rodney D. Wallace, Cheryl
Moody and Ed Calatayud, Office Supervisor Beverly Bogar, Deborah K.
Sanchez, and I attended the Red, Black, and Green Dinner as part of Black
History Month. The event was very well attended and was organized by
Pasadena Human Services & Recreation Supervisor, Jarvis Emerson.
Elected officials and VIPs included Assemblyman Chris Holden, Councilwoman
Jacque Robinson, City Manager Michael Beck, PUSD School Board President Renatta
Cooper, NAACP Pasadena Branch President Gary Moody to name a few. CBC
Pastor Jean Birch gave the Invocation, Ms. Allisonne Crawford sang “Lift
Every Voice and Sing,” and Pasadena Human Services & Recreation
Administrator Horace Wormely proved the closing remarks. Pastor Chris
Bourne provided the Benediction.
2013 Red, Black, and Green Honorees included: Assemblymember
Chris Holden, Former Assemblymember Anthony Portantion, Los Angeles District
Attorney Jackie Lacey, Former Pasadena Police Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle, John
Muir High School Football Coach Lavel “Tip” Sanders, Pastor Bereal, Robin
Salazar, Patricia Bereal, Kathy Morgan, Walt Jackson, Ahamad Andrews and Gary
Grays. A Special Honor in Memory of Victor McClinton was also
announced. As an aside, the Black History Parade will be dedicated in his
memory.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On January 31, I received an email from a
community member commending Pasadena Police Officers Roxanne Haines and Bill
Schepman for their professionalism, sensitivity, and dedication.
On February 4, I received information that
Communications Administrator Karen Peterson, Supervisors Kathy Russ, Melissa
Trujillo and Roseanne Macias received a Certificate of Recognition
from the California Public-Safety Radio Association, Inc. Karen, Kathy,
Melissa, and Roseanne were commended for their participation and contributions
to the CPRA “Dispatchers Roundtable.”
On February 4, the Pasadena Police Department hosted
a 3-day Supervisory Update Training Course. Approximately 20 participants
from the Pasadena Police Department and other agencies attended the
class. Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls provided a few brief remarks to
kick-off the training.
On February 5, I receive an email commending Commander
Lisa Rosales and Officer Luis Banuelos for their professionalism and
responsiveness to address a community member’s concerns, which were focused on
a homeless person. The author wrote, “…Officer Luis Banuelos
stopped by our office this afternoon; spoke to me, my staff, and the
doctors. He was professional and took the time to talk to everyone
involved. I also appreciate the time that you (Lisa) spent talking to me
on the phone and your efforts on our behalf…”
On February 7, I received an email from a community
member commending Pasadena Police Lieutenant Jason Clawson for his
proactive work cleaning up the North Lake area. The author wrote, “…I
want to applaud Lieutenant Clawson, his team, and the PPD for their continuing
efforts in cleaning up North Lake and the NW area. My family and I are
very appreciative of their hard work.”
Critical Incidents:
On January 31, Pasadena Police Detective Keith Gomes and
the Homicide/Assault Unit conducted a follow-up investigation on a firearm that
was thrown out of a vehicle. After Keith completed a comprehensive
investigation, he presented the case to the Los Angeles County District
Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. The District Attorney’s
Office filed charges of possession of a firearm by a felon against the suspect.
On February 6, at about 7:45 p.m., Pasadena Police
Corporal David Llanes and members of the United States Marshal’s Pacific
Southwest Regional Fugitive Taskforce located the suspect and arrested him
without incident. The suspect was booked at the Pasadena jail.
On January 31, the West San Gabriel Valley Anticrime
Taskforce (WSGVAT) coordinated with the Los Angeles County Probation Department
to conduct several compliance checks at ten locations in the region. The
taskforce focused their efforts on subjects who were on active probation for
violent, property, and narcotics related crimes. Two suspects were
arrested for possession of firearms (handguns) and methamphetamines. Two
other suspects were in violation of reporting requirements, while the remaining
six suspects were compliant. The WSGVAT is supervised by Pasadena Police
Sergeant Vasken Gourdikian.
On February 2 at about 10:34 a.m., Pasadena Senior
Center Staff members opened the facility and discovered a burglary had occurred
sometime during the evening. The suspect(s) entered through a small
window. Forensic personnel responded to process the scene. If you
have any information about this incident, please call the Pasadena Police
Department at (626) 744-4241.
On February 4 at about 6:18 p.m., Pasadena Police
officers responded to the area of Colorado Boulevard and Sunnyslope Avenue
regarding a male adult acting “crazy” and standing in the street.
Witnesses reported the male was screaming at passing cars. Sergeant
Dennis Beene was nearby when the call was received and responded to the
location. Dennis approached the suspect, who was lying down on the
sidewalk. The suspect attempted to resist; however, several community
members restrained him until other police officers arrived to assist
Dennis. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for a mental
health assessment.
On February 4 at about 7:39 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
responded to the 60 block of North Hill Avenue regarding an armed
robbery. On arrival, the officers learned that the victim, a Male
Hispanic Adult, was walking in the area of Hill Avenue and Union Street when he
was approached by the suspect. The suspect, a Male Black, 20s, 5’-9,” 180
pounds, full beard, wearing a dark beanie, dark jacket, and light colored
jeans, displayed a silver folding knife and demanded the victim’s wallet. The
victim began to comply with the suspect’s demand when an uninvolved pedestrian
walked upon the robbery. The suspect observed the approaching pedestrian
and abandoned the crime. When the suspect was a safe distance away, the
victim called 9-1-1. Despite checking the area, PPD officers did not
locate the suspect. If you have information about this crime, please call
the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.
On February 7 at about 4:30 p.m., Pasadena Police
officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) observed a
known gang member sitting in a vehicle with the engine running. SES officers
developed sufficient probable cause and learned the vehicle was stolen, taken
in a carjacking from Los Angeles. The officers immediately detained the
suspect and he was later arrested without incident. The vehicle and the
suspects were later turned over to the custody of the Los Angeles Police
Department.
On February 10 at about 1:00 p.m. the Pasadena Police
Department received an emergency call regarding a possible burglary in progress
in the 300 block of South Marengo Avenue. The witness saw an unfamiliar subject
trying to open the rear door to his neighbor’s residence. The subject
forced open a window at the residence and there for an unknown reason he ran
southbound on Marengo Avenue from the scene of the crime. Pasadena
Police Sergeant Denis Been was patrolling the area as the call was received
and observed the suspect. He quickly contact the suspect and arrested him
without incident. The suspect was later booked at the Pasadena jail for
residential burglary.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always