Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
March 3, 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; 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:
On
March 9, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.,
the Pasadena Community will honor former NAACP Pasadena Branch President Joe
Brown for his dedicated service to our youth and community. The Rose
Bowl Stadium will be the venue for this special day to honor a community hero.
Tickets are $20 (each) and may be purchased at http://thankyoujoe2013.eventbrite.com, or at Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ, 385 North Rosemead
Boulevard, Pasadena. The day will include entertainment, food, field
games, and door prizes. For further details you can contact thankyoujoe2013@gmail.com. I
hope to see you there!
The 7th
Annual Norooz Celebration in Pasadenawill occur on March 14, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 150 North Madison
Avenue. The reception (6:15 to 7:00 p.m.) is followed by the program from
7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Special guests will include Mayor Bogaard and the keynote
speaker, Professor Ali Nayeri. Traditional Persian Tea House will serve sweets
and authentic appetizers. Although the event is free and open to the
public, reservations are recommended. Please RSVP at noroozpasadena@yahoo.com or (626)
583-9116 (Source: Dr. Nazee Rofagha).
On
March 16, Harambee Ministries
is celebrating 31 years of serving Northwest Pasadena. Their Annual
Benefit will be held at the Church of Our Savior, 533 West Rose Road, San
Gabriel. The theme for this year’s event is “Shaping Hearts and
Developing Minds.” For more information, please contact Harambee Ministries at
(626) 798-7431 or www.harambeeministries.org.
On
March 30, El Centro de Accion Social
is hosting its Annual Cesar Chavez Commemoration and Peace Walk. 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.
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.
On
May 11, 2013, the Pasadena Youth Center (PYC) is sponsoring the 19th Annual
Adelante Mujer Latina (AML) Conference at Pasadena City College from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. The AML conference is an exciting and inspirational day-long
career and educational conference attended by more than 1,500 young Latinas,
ages 12 to 21, their mentors, and moms. The purpose of the AML Conference
is to provide middle and high school Latinas with tools for personal and
professional growth, challenge them to raise their expectations, promote
leadership, encourage them to pursue post-high school education, achieve their
goals, and have a positive impact on their lives and the lives of others.
If you are interested in being a workshop presenter and sharing your personal
success, please visit www.adelantemujerlatina.org. to
learn more, or visit http://pasadenayouthcenter.org/aml_conference/aml_presenters to
sign up a as workshop presenter by March 9, 2013. Special thanks to PYC’s
Executive Director, Stella Murga, for her continued and dedicated service
to Pasadena’s youth.
Our
Community:
On
February 21, Commander John E. Perez and
Flintridge Center’s Director of Development, Scott Vandrick, traveled to
the state capital, along with representatives from 22 other
California cities, for the 2013-2014 California Gang Reduction,
Intervention, and Prevention (Cal-GRIP) program grant orientation.
Pasadena was one of few cities to receive full grant funding in the amount
of $492,520; the funds will be used to provide outreach services to
hundreds of at-risk youth to improve their lives through mentorship and life
skills training. A portion of the monies will also be used for reintegration
and apprenticeship training for young adults. Pasadena was fortunate
to receive funding for a second straight year and we are grateful for the
leadership that the Flintridge Center has provided in collaborating with over
20 community partners in obtaining the Cal-GRIP grant.
On
February 23, Commander John Perez
participated on a community forum on prison realignment and neighborhood
reintegration at the KRST Unity Center of African and Spiritual Science in Los
Angeles. He was joined on the panel by members of the Los Angeles
Sheriff’s & Los Angeles City Police Department, as well as other
community based organizations such as LA Community Action Team and the Urban
Lead. The Pasadena Police Department presented Pasadena’s reintegration
initiative and the efforts of the Flintridge Center and a host of other
community partners committed to reducing recidivism and providing opportunities
to improve the lives of those recently released from prisons and
jails. We are very grateful to Nyabingi Kuti and the South LA Reintegration
Council for the opportunity to participate and represent the Pasadena
community. For more information on Pasadena’s reintegration
initiative please visit http://www.flintridge.org/collaborations/reintegration.htm.
On
February 25, I
received an email from Pasadena Community Gardens Conservancy President and
CEO Eileen Read, that it has awarded $7,000 in community grants supporting
community-based organizations that expand public and student access to and
knowledge of gardening, particularly fruits and vegetables in Pasadena.
The awardees include: Arlington Garden, La Casita Del Arroyo, The Muir
Ranch student community garden at John Muir High School, Pasadena Community Garden,
and the Roots & Shoots Children’s’ community garden project at the Los
Angeles County Arboretum. Eileen said, “…Each of these organizations is
reaching deeply into the community to bring new people into gardening,
especially food gardening, while also inspiring all Pasadenans through
innovation and design…” Pasadena Community Gardens Conservancy is a fund of the
Pasadena Community Foundation. For more information of the foundation,
please visit www.pasadenacf.org.
On
February 26, Lieutenants John Dewar and
Ed Calatayud, Police Specialists Kitty Johnson, and I attended Councilmember
Steve Madison’s District Town Hall Meeting. There were a number of
city executives at the meeting including: Fire Chief Calvin Wells,
Public Works Director Siobhan Foster, Planner Robert Montano, and RBOC
General Manager, Darryl Dunn. Councilmember Madison started off the
meeting with a few brief remarks. I used my time to focus on the recent
increase in property related crimes, the impacts of the prison early release
program (AB 109), and the proposed Gun-Buy-Back-Program (GBBP), which is
tentatively scheduled for May 2013 (more on this topic in future editions of
Touching Base). The meeting was well attended and several important
issues were discussed. The event was organized by District 6 Field
Representative, Takako Suzuki.
On
March 2, I participated
in the Opening Day Ceremonies for the West Pasadena Baseball Little League.
Opening day was held at Jackie Robinson Park and was very well attended by
players, families, friends, and community leaders. Pasadena Police Office
Supervisor Beverly Bogar serves on the West Pasadena Baseball Little
League Board of Directors. VIPs included City Manager Michael Beck,
HS&R Director Mercy Santoro, and HS&R Administrator Horace
Wormely. Community Leader and WPBLL Board Member, Greg Mosley, served as
emcee.
On
March 2, I joined Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck, Los Angeles County
Sherriff’s Department (LASD) Captain John Benedict, and California Highway
Patrol Captain Steve Strull
to talk with young students participating in the Bright Futures Scholars
Mentoring Meeting. Each speaker provided insight on decision-making,
social media, and engagement with law enforcement officials. Dr.
Sandra E. Thomas is the CEO/Dean of Scholars at the Bright Futures Scholars
program. Our time with the students was coordinated by Greg Middleton,
Bright Futures Scholars Office Manager.
On
March 2, Councilmember Victor Gordo and his Field Representative Vannia de La
Cuba coordinated
a community meeting to address the recent homicide that occurred in the
neighborhood. Victor and I answered questions concerning the homicide and
general safety concerns. Commander John Perez, Lieutenant Jason
Clawson, Sergeant Tucker, Officers Cristian Allen, Kim Jones, Daniel Morris, PS
Karla Kauhola, City Manager Michael Beck and the City Prosecutor
also attended.
Pasadena’s
Finest:
On
February 4, Pasadena Police Officer Tim Bundy received the Thomas Reuters
“Everyday Heroes” award for his efforts in the arrest of a high risk offender
while assigned to the United States Marshals, Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
Utilizing innovative investigative resources, Tim located a wanted gang member
who was hiding out of state. As part of his recognition, the Thomas Reuters
Company will provide a monitory donation to a charitable organization to be
named by the police department. Tim and his fellow detectives
assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit are exceptional law enforcement
officials working hard toward making Pasadena a safer community.
On
February 24, several Pasadena Police
employees gathered at the Rose Bowl for the Annual Kyle Ballard Memorial
Run. Pasadena Police Officer Kyle Ballard served this great community
and the department for approximately eight years before his sudden death in
2006. Kyle was well respected, competent, and extremely dedicated to his
profession. Pasadena Police Chaplains Father Bob Gaestel and Chip
Rittenhouse were at the run to offer prayers and support. Kyle’s wife,
Laurie, and her children were among the many people at the run, which was
organized by Pasadena Police Sergeant Roger Roldan.
On
February 26, I
received notice from Pasadena Police Commander Lisa Rosales that
a community member submitted a “Service Excellence Survey” commending Police
Specialist Keem Hendrix for her prompt service. The survey also
indicated Keem was knowledgeable, friendly, and polite.
On
February 26, I
received an email from NAMI San Gabriel Valley President Robert Liljenwall commending
Pasadena Police Officer Victor Cass and the Pasadena Police Department
for their participation at the NAMI Forum on Mental Illness and Gun
Violence. Victor is NAMI’s Vice President and served as emcee for the
program. Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls and I served on a panel
and/or lectured about mental illness and gun violence.
On
February 27, I
received an email from a community member commending Pasadena Police Officer
Alex Torres for his professionalism during a stolen vehicle
investigation. The community member said, “…I am extremely happy with the
way that Officer Torres handled this call, he was also very
professional.”
Critical
Incidents:
From
August through September 2012, the
“Haggler Bandit” committed approximately seven armed robberies in the
Pasadena, Monrovia, and the Los Angeles region. The suspect robbed
several businesses, including banks. Law enforcement officers from the
Pasadena Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Police Department, and the Monrovia Police
Department worked collaboratively to identify the suspect responsible for
the armed robberies. Once the suspect was identified, Pasadena Police
Corporal Robert Mercado presented the case to the Los Angeles County
District Attorney’s Office, who filed seven counts of robbery against the
suspect. A warrant was subsequently issued. Pasadena Police
Detective David Duran obtained information that the robbery suspect had
fled to Memphis, Tennessee. David contacted the United State Marshal’s
Southwest Region Fugitive Taskforce who coordinated with Tennessee law
enforcement officials and subsequently arrested the suspect. On
February 21, 2013, Pasadena Police Corporal David Llanes traveled to
Tennessee, took custody of the robbery suspect, and transported him back to
Pasadena where he was booked for the robberies. On February 22,
the suspect was arraigned in Pasadena Superior Court. This case
underscores the collaborative (inter-agency) cooperation between local and
federal law enforcement officials. Pasadena Police employees involved in
this investigation include: Lieutenant Pete Hettema, Corporal David
Llanes, Detectives David Duran, and Carol Gordon.
On
February 24 at about 11:25 a.m., Pasadena Police Officer Alex Torres was on routine patrol in the 700
block of East Washington Boulevard when he received an alert notification of a
stolen vehicle from his Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR). As Alex
continued his investigation, a female adult entered the stolen vehicle.
Alex and assisting officers detained and later arrested the female suspect
without incident. She was subsequently booked at the Pasadena jail and
the vehicle was released to the registered owner.
On
February 24,
Pasadena Police officers responded to the report of a residential burglary in
the 1400 block of Brixton Road. On arrival, officers talked with the
homeowner who said the suspect(s) stole three firearms during the crime.
The incident was documented on a police report, which will be investigated by
detectives.
On
February 24 at about 5:11 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a report of an
apartment unit fully engulfed in flames in the 700 block of Worcester
Avenue. Police officers courageously evacuated residents while Pasadena
Fire Department personnel conducted a lifesaving rescue of people on a 2nd
story balcony. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries although three
victims were treated for possible smoke inhalation. Pasadena Police
Volunteers assisted with traffic management and residents from the damaged
apartment complex were united with the American Red Cross for services.
On
February 26 at about 12:45 p.m., Pasadena Police Officer Alex Torres received information from the West
San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Taskforce (WSGV-ACT) that a male adult was in
possession of a stolen car in the 2100 block of Summit Avenue. Alex, Sergeant
Dennis Beene, and other officers drove to the suspect’s location and found
the vehicle. Officers completed their investigation and verified the
vehicle was stolen. The suspect was located and arrested without incident
by Pasadena Police Officer Chuck Reep. The vehicle was recovered
and returned to the registered owner.
On
February 28 at about 11:49 p.m.,
Pasadena Police officers responded to a jewelry store in the 200 block of East
Colorado Boulevard regarding an armed robbery investigation. On arrival,
officers learned that the suspect walked into the jewelry store and asked to
see some diamonds. As the female clerk was retrieving the diamonds, the
suspect produced a handgun and demanded the stones. Fearing for her
safety, the victim surrendered the diamonds and the suspect fled from the
store. The suspect is described as a Male Black, 40 years, 5’-7” to 5’-9,” 200
pounds. He is bald and wearing a dark grey baseball cap, Fed-Ex uniform,
and white gloves. If you have information about this incident, please
call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.
On
February 28 at about 8:45 p.m.,
Pasadena Police officers responded to the 600 block of Mar Vista Avenue
regarding shots fired. On arrival, officers discovered an adult male
victim suffering from several gunshot wounds. Pasadena Fire Department
Paramedics responded to the scene; however, the victim died as a result of his
injuries. Police detectives responded to the incident and are actively
investigating the homicide. If you have information about the shooting,
please call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.
Until
next week,
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always