Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
January 27, 2013
Dear Community Members and Department Personnel:
Save the Date:
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 peach 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
January 20, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Office Supervisor Beverly Bogar, and I attended the John Muir
High School (JMHS) Varsity & Junior Varsity Football Awards Banquet, which
was held at Brookside Country Club. The event was well attended by
athletes, parents, family, and friends. JMHS Graduate and Hall Fame
Honoree, Cameron Turner served as emcee. The Keynote speech was delivered
by JMHS Alumni and NFL Player, Danny Pittman. The evening focused
on the academics and sportsmanship accomplishments of the Mustang Football
players. I would like to thank JMHS Head Coach and former NFL Player, John
Hardy and Assistant Coach and Pasadena Police Officer Bobby Jenkins
for including PPD in this special evening. Former Pasadena Police
Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle, Ed Riddle, and Community Leader, John
Kennedy, also attended the awards dinner.
On
January 21, Lieutenant Ed Calatayud, Corporal Jayce Ward, Office Supervisor
Beverly Bogar, and
I attended the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, which was held at
Robinson Park. The event was well attended by community leaders, clergy,
elected officials, civic leaders, and the public. The event was
coordinated by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Coalition and the Pasadena
Human Rights Commission. The event began with a televised viewing of the
inauguration of President Barak H. Obama, followed by a presentation
from distinguished guests. The Master of Ceremonies and Human Relations
Commission Chairman, Nat Nehdar, provided brief remarks, which included
the introduction of MLK Board of Directors President, Jackie Jacobs.
VIPs at the celebration included, Dr. David Jacobs, Dr. Sandra Thomas,
Tournament of Roses President Scott Jenkins, Joe Brown, John Kennedy, Phlunte
Riddle, US Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Carol Liu, Assemblyman Chris
Holden, Mayor Bill Bogaard, Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, and City Manager
Michael Beck. PCC President Mark Rocha, PUSD Superintendent Jon Gundry,
PUSD Board of Education President Renatta Cooper, PUSD Board Member Ed
Honowitz, and Editor Joe Hopkins also attended.
On
January 22, Pasadena Police Sergeant Bobby Lomeli, Officers Veronica Burris,
Anthony Riley, Ralph Ordonez, Dustan Wilf and I attended a community meeting at El Centro de
Accion Social to discuss the Cesar Chavez Commemoration and Peace Walk, which
is scheduled for March 30. The meeting was also used to discuss initial
steps in reducing violence throughout San Gabriel Valley. El Centro de Accion
Social Executive Director Randy Ertll led the discussion.
On
January 23, Sergeant Art Chute, Corporal Julie Finney, Officer David Thomas, and several other Pasadena
Police employees attended a Rose Bowl Game Recap meeting and luncheon.
The meeting focused on “lesson learned” from the 2013 Rose Bowl Game and other
major events hosted at the Rose Bowl during 2012. Rose Bowl Manager
Darryl Dunn and Rose Bowl Stadium/Chief Operating Officer George W.
Cunningham helped coordinate this important meeting.
On
January 23,
Cal-Trans hosted a 710 Freeway information meeting, which was held at Maranatha
High School. Lieutenant Pete Hettema stopped by the meeting during
his patrol shift and said the meeting was well attended.
On
January 24, Sergeant Art Chute, Corporal Julie Finney, Officer David Thomas,
Commander Lisa Rosales,
and I attended the 2013 Rose Bowl Game Wrap Up and Debrief Meeting. Rose
Bowl Game Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Ash, and Senior Game Manager Ed
Corey, organized the meeting, which included representative from every
organization associated with the Rose Bowl Game. The meeting was held at
the historic Tournament House and was very well attended. On behalf of
the police department, Art shared his observations and recommendations for next
year’s Rose Bowl and BSC Championship Football Games. 2014 Tournament
President, Scott Jenkins, and Executive Director Bill Flinn, were
among the many VIPs.
On
January 24,
several Pasadena Police officers, employees and city staff attended the 2013
Pasadena State of the City, “Celebrating Success,” which was held at Caltech’s
Beckman Auditorium. Vice Mayor Margaret McAustin served as the
emcee and opened the program with a few remarks. The Pasadena High School
Navy JROTC presented the colors of the United States of America while Allisonne
Crawford performed the National Anthem. United States Lieutenant
General and Deputy Director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Eugene
Tattini (ret.) provided an overview of the Mars Science Rover, which was
special indeed. Mayor Bill Bogaard provided an overview of the city’s
accomplishments, economic forecast, educational partnerships, and future
challenges. Former NAACP Pasadena Branch President Joe Brown was
acknowledged by the Mayor for his dedicated leadership, community service, and
passion to ensure equality for all who live in, visit, or work in Pasadena. The
auditorium was full of elected officials and VIPs, including: Councilmembers
Gene Masuda, Steve Madison, Victor Gordo, Terry Tornek, PUSD School Board
President Renatta Cooper, PUSD Superintendent Jon Gundry, PCC President Mark
Rocha, Assemblyman Chris Holden, Cal Tech President Jean-Lou Chameau, and
Cal Tech Director of Government Relations Hall Daily, to name a few.
On
January 25, Police
Chiefs Kim Raney (Covina PD) and Donald De Pompa (Glendale PD) and I
participated in the 2013 San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership’s Speakers
Series to discuss the “Impact of California Prison Realignment on Businesses
and Our Communities.” The forum was well attended by local community
leaders, business owners, and elected officials. Southern California Gas
Company sponsored the event, which was held at Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia.
Kim, Ron, and I provided insight regarding realignment. I focused my
remarks on the value of the Pasadena / Altadena Parole Council (PAPC), which
works with the Flintridge Center and other nonprofits to help formally
incarcerated people succeed once released from prison and the West San Gabriel
Valley – Anti Crime Taskforce (WSGV-ACT). WSGV-ACT is a regional
taskforce that was created from the Pasadena Police Department’s Burglary
Taskforce (BTF). WSGV-ACT focuses its efforts on enforcement, compliance
checks, and other serious crimes.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On
January 18, several Pasadena Police Explorers returned to the police department
after participating in the Annual Chandler Arizona Tactical Competition. The
explorers secured several awards including 1st Place;
Tug-a-War, 2nd Place; Marijuana Field Enforcement, 2nd
Place; Obstacle Course; 4th Place; Explosive Ordinance; and 4th
Place; Undercover Operations. The team was comprised of 5 male and
7 female members competing against 62 other explorer posts from across the
country. The Pasadena Explorers were supervised by Advisor Officers
Dustin Gomes, Anthony Russo, and Park Safety Specialist Michelle White.
On
January 19, Pasadena Police Department Volunteer John Kendall celebrated his 85th
birthday with family, friends, and several Pasadena Police employees. John
frequently volunteers his time in the Community Services Section. When he
is not working at the reception desk, he can be found patrolling the streets of
Pasadena with other CAPP members.
On
January 22, Pasadena Police Administrator Gena Persons was honored by the
Pasadena/Foothill Magazine as one of Pasadena’s 50 Most Inspiring
Leaders. Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Commanders John Perez, Lisa
Rosales, and Chris Russ, Lieutenant Teresa Rojas, Corporal Kim Smith, and I
attended the event to support her. Gena was joined by her mother,
daughter, and friends to witness this great honor. I thought you might
like to read her bio:
Pasadena
Police Administrator Gena Persons has worked in law enforcement for24
years. The first 15 years of public service were spent with the Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Gena was hired by the Pasadena
Police Department in 2004 and has worked various assignments such as 9-1-1
Operator; Dispatcher, Custody Assistant, Station Jailer, and Forensic
Identification Specialists. She is a court recognized CSI and Latent
Print Expert, and currently commands the Pasadena Police Department’s Forensic
Section.
Gena
holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Master’s Degree in
Public Administration. She is a member of several Professional and
Volunteer organizations such as Southern California Association of Fingerprint
Officers (SCAFO), California State Division of International Association of
Identification (CSDIAI), Los Angeles County Forensic Supervisors Group
(LACFSG), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE),
Silver Lining of Hope (SLOH), and Leadership Pasadena. Gena is a member
of the Pasadena Police Department’s Peer Support Team.
Gena’s
22 year old daughter is currently attending college in pursuit of a degree in
Mortuary Science. Gena resides in Long Beach and in her spare time enjoys
being outdoors, solving puzzles, photography, listening to music, and reading.
Critical
Incidents:
On
January 22 at about 10:30 a.m., Pasadena
Police officers responded to the 1000 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue (near
JRC) regarding an auto vs. pedestrian traffic accident. The investigating
officers learned the motorists was exiting from the parking lot at the Jackie
Robinson Center and struck an elderly female pedestrian who was jaywalking east
across North Fair Oaks Avenue. The victim was transported by the Pasadena
Fire Department to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The Pasadena Police
Traffic Section is investigating the collision.
On
January 23 at about 10:20 am.,Pasadena Police Officers Milton White and Panfilo De La Cruz were
on routine patrol in the area of Oakland Avenue and Elmira Street when they
observed a suspicious vehicle. Further investigation revealed the vehicle
was stolen out of Riverside County. Milton and Panfilo attempted to stop
the stolen vehicle and the suspect driver fled. The officers activated
the emergency equipment on their police vehicle and initiated a pursuit.
The incident was supervised by Sergeant John Luna and the Pasadena
Air Operations Section assisted with the incident. The suspects abandoned
the vehicle in the 700 block of North Los Robles Avenue and were arrested
without incident moments later. The suspects were transported to the
Pasadena jail and booked. The Pasadena Police Department Helicopter
played a critical role, quickly establishing containment around the area where
the suspects were last seen running.
On
January 25 at about 10:00 a.m.,
Pasadena Police Detective Ara Bzdigian presented the Maple Street
Homicide case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who filed
murder charges against three primary suspects. Charges included murder,
second degree robbery, murder in the commission of a robbery, gang enhancement,
and the intentional discharge of a firearm. Ara secured warrants for Raymond
Frank Conchas, Jr. (Male Hispanic, 23) and Stephanie Urias Jacquez
(Female Hispanic, 20). Anyone with information regarding this case or
the potential whereabouts of Raymond Conchas or Stephanie Jacques is asked to
contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241. You may also
report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or http://lacrimestoppers.org (insert key
word Pasadena).
On
January 25 at about 11:00 a.m.,
Pasadena Police officers responded to a physical altercation between two adult
soccer players. The subjects separated after the scuffle. The
suspect threatened the victim and later revealed a handgun. The suspect
left prior to the arrival of the officers; however, they were able to talk to
him on a cell phone. Our investigation is ongoing and we have verified
the identity of the suspect.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always