Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
February 3, 2013
Dear Community Members and
Department Personnel:
For your Information:
There has been much debate and
discussion about gun violence in the days following the murder of several young
children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Stricter gun laws, improving
background checks, prohibiting the sales of military [style] assault weapons,
and limiting magazine capacity were among the options being considered and
highlighted in the media.
While local, state, and federal
legislators evaluate all options, it is important to know that you can
voluntarily surrender your unwanted firearm to the Pasadena Police Department
as an immediate option. Typically, community members bring the firearm(s) to
the Pasadena Police Department, or they call for a police officer to respond
and take possession of it. The Pasadena Police Department received 143
firearms through voluntary surrender in the last 25 months, which is
approximately six per month.
If you choose to keep a firearm
in your home or business, you must be a responsible owner and know that there
are criminal consequences for negligence (California Penal Code). Responsible
gun ownership may include: the legal purchase of a firearm and ensuring it is
registered, attending a certified gun safety course, purchasing and installing
a trigger lock device on the firearm, and placing the firearm in an approved
gun safe. Many of the firearms stolen during residential or commercial
burglaries end up on our streets or are used in violent crimes. If you no
longer wish to keep a firearm, regardless if it is functional or not, please
consider turning it over to the Pasadena Police Department so that it can be
disposed of properly. If you would like to voluntary surrender your
firearm to the police department please call, (626) 744-4241.
Save the Date:
Black History Month Events for
2013, include:
-
February 2, “Ragtime & Chili”
- February 8, “Red, Black & Green Honors
Dinner”
- February 10, “Black Film Showcase”
- 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 Sunday 27, Deborah K.
Sanchez and I attended church services at Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic
Church. Archpriest Farther Sarkis Petoyan and the entire
congregation offered their prayers in the memory of the children murdered at
Sandy Hook Elementary School.
On January 28, I met
with Councilmember Steve Madison to discuss public safety issues and
related topics in District 6. We spent a lot of time talking about
property crime and proactive measures to mitigate the impact on his
district.
On January 29, Fire Chief
Calvin Wells, Rose Bowl Manager Darryl Dunn, NAACP Pasadena Branch President,
Gary Moody, and I attended the “Celebration of Life” for Mrs. Lucy Mae
Brown (mother of former NAACP Pasadena Branch President, Joe Brown).
The services were held at Metropolitan Baptist Church and Pastor Tyrone
Skinner led the congregation in prayer. There were several speakers all
celebrating Lucy Mae Brown’s 98 years of life. She was a dedicated wife,
mother, grandmother, and friend to many.
On January 29, Deputy Chief
Darryl Qualls attended Pasadena City College’s Kick-Off Reception for Black
History Month. This year’s theme, “A Call to Action,” was taken from the book, Power
Concedes Nothing, written by Civil Rights Attorney, Connie Rice, PCC’s
Scholar-in-Residence for Black History Month. During the event, PCC President
Mark Roacha, Dr. Bell, and Ujima students highlighted PCC’s activities for
Black History Month. Darryl, PCC faculty members, and students
participated in round-table conversations identifying issues impacting 16-24
year olds in our communities and discussing what our school, civic leaders, and
community organizations are doing to address them.
On January 29, Lieutenant Tracey
Ibarra, PAL Board of Directors Chairman Geoff Johansing, Jill Hawkins (CEO
Miller Hawkins Productions LLC), and I met to discuss issues concerning the
Pasadena Police Activities League. The meeting was very productive.
Please keep your eyes open for future information concern PAL’s Golden Badge
Gala, which is our primary fundraiser. PAL relies on educational, athletic, and
artistic activities to develop strong, positive attitudes to support our youth
in becoming well-rounded caring and productive adults. Youth ages 9-16
interact with police personnel and engage in activities such as sports, arts,
computer classes, tutoring, and educational field trips. For more information
about PAL, please visit: www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/police/pasadena_pal_program.
On January 29, I had the
opportunity to lecture to approximately 40 students at Azusa Pacific
University. Professor and Salvation Army Staff member Pat Riley
facilitated the lecture. The group included Master and Undergraduate
degree students. We discussed a number of topics including substance
abuse, educational systems, and the law. Pat and the Salvation Army are
exceptional community partners.
On January 30, Deputy Chief
Darryl Qualls, Commanders Lisa Rosales and Chris Russ, Officer Tim
Bundy, and I attended a retirement gathering for Glendale Police Captain
Raymond Edey. Ray has been a longtime friend and mentor to several law
enforcement personnel throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
On January 30, Lieutenant
Tracey Ibarra and I attended the 2nd Annual Lake Avenue
Church/School Safety Awareness Day. The event was very well attended and
focused on school and personal safety. Subject matter experts offered
safety tips and common sense strategies on personal safety. Senior
Pastor Greg Waybright provided brief remarks and welcomed Pasadena Mayor
Bill Bogaard, Fire Chief Calvin Wells, Emergency Manager Lisa Derderian, and
me to the podium. Following a few brief remarks the formal program
concluded. The event was coordinated by Lake Avenue Church/School Treasure
Sheppard.
On February 2, the Pasadena
Police Department was recognized by the University of Phoenix for its
academic partnership in promoting formal education. University of Phoenix
Southern California Area Chairs, James Roberts and Dr. Ed Armstrong
(both former Pasadena Officers), presented the reorganization certificates. Deputy
Chief Darryl Qualls, Commander John Perez, Office Supervisor Beverly Bogar,and I represented the police department.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On January 10, I received
a letter from a Pasadena community member commending Officer Salvador
Vidales and Forensic Specialist Alex Padilla Jr. for their
professionalism during a burglary investigation. The author wrote, “… The
PPD personnel were cautious and methodical in the investigation and their
conclusion culminated in the arrest of the perpetrator. I was very
impressed with the professionalism of Officer Vidales and Forensic Specialist
Padilla…”
On January 17, Pasadena Police
Dispatchers Myrian Correra and Christina Bergstrom were commended by
Administrator Karen Peterson for their exceptional communication skills
and calm deportment during an emergency 9-1-1 call. Myrian and Christina
were directly involved in the effort to direct police units to a shooting that
had just occurred near Maple Street and Chester Avenue. The incident was
later upgraded to a homicide. Depending on the emergency, it can be
extremely difficult for communications center personnel to process 9-1-1
calls. In this incident, despite the immense stress (shooting and
homicide), Myrian and Christina did not falter during the performance of their
duties.
On January 23, several
Pasadena Police employees participated in a formal promotional ceremony at the
Main Library, Donald Wright Auditorium. The room was filled with family,
friends, coworkers, and community leaders. There were several recent
retirees in the audience including: Keith Jones, Jari Faulkner, Alex,
Robert, and Kathy Uribe. VIPs included Mayor Bill Bogaard, City
Manager Michael Beck, Assistant City Manager Steve Mermell, and CCC President
Pastor Kerwin Manning. Lieutenant Tracey Ibarra served as the emcee
and Police Chaplin Paul provided the invocation. Newly promoted Police
Lieutenants included: Terysa Rojas, Jason Clawson, and Eduardo
Calatayud. New Police Sergeants included: Javier Aguilar,
Chris Sharma, Dennis Beene, and Robert Tucker.
On January 29, I received
an email from Pasadena Emergency Coordinator Lisa Derderian commending Pasadena
Police Sergeants Rudy Lemos and Bobby Crees for their presentation
to the Emergency Coordinator’s Group. Rudy and Bobby’s training focused
on workplace violence and was well received.
On January 31, several
Pasadena Police employees attended Police Lieutenant Bruce George’s
Retirement event, which was held at the Rose Bowl. It was great seeing
many of the retirees attend the event. Bruce served more than 30 years
with the Pasadena Police Department, honorably retiring in January 2013. Pasadena
Police Sergeant Chris Gutierrez was the emcee and there were several
retirees who attended Bruce’s event. At the end of the event Bruce
thanked everyone for attending.
On January 31, Pasadena Police
Sergeant Max Dahlstein graduated from the San Bernardino EVOC Motorcycle
Training School, Class 113. Max started the police motorcycle training
program with 9 other riders. The program is very demanding requiring
riders to demonstrate exceptional “hand/eye coordination and balance.” All the
motorcycle enforcement officers assigned to the Pasadena Police Department’s
Traffic Section are required to graduate from a motorcycle training academy.
Critical Incidents:
On January 27 at about 6:00
p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Washington
Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue regarding an assault with a deadly weapon
investigation. On arrival, officers learned that the suspects and the
victim were known to each other. The victim was entertaining people at
his home when the uninvited suspects arrived. The suspects smashed a
window in the victim’s parked car. When the victim ran outside to
investigate, the suspects pointed a firearm at him and fled. The suspects
were located a short distance from the victim’s house and following a positive
identification, were arrested without incident. The suspects, Pasadena
residents, were booked at the Pasadena jail.
On January 27 at about 9:30
p.m., Pasadena Police officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section
(SES) were conducting routine patrols when they observed a suspect who was
wanted for several felony warrants out of Visalia. The suspect was
contact and arrested without incident. The suspect was later booked at the
Pasadena jail.
On January 29, Pasadena Police
Detectives arrested the two remaining suspects in the January 15, homicide
that occurred near Maple Street and Chester Avenue. The suspects were
arrested without incident and later booked at the Pasadena jail. The case
was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and murder
charges were filed. The incident was covered by the local media: http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/pasadena-police-conclude-homicide-investigation-with-more-arrests.
On January 30 at about 11:00
p.m., Pasadena Police Officers responded to a vehicle collision in the 100
block of East Washington Boulevard. PPD Officers arrived and observed a vehicle
that had crashed into the home at the location. Thankfully no one in the
dwelling was injured. The driver, a Male Hispanic adult, was determined to
be under the influence and sustained minor, non-life threatening injuries. He
was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital and admitted for
treatment. The suspect was driving west on Washington Boulevard and
attempted to make a left turn onto Summit Avenue. He failed to make the
turn and crashed into the residence. Pasadena Fire Department determined
the structure was unsafe to occupy. The Red Cross provided temporary
housing.
On January 31, the Pasadena
Police Department’s Traffic Section conducted a city-wide taxi compliance
check after receiving several complaints. Six PPD Traffic Officers
focused on enforcement and compliance. The officers inspected 44 taxi
vehicles resulting in 11 PMC violations. An additional 6 citations were
issued for miscellaneous violations.
On January 31 at about 2:25
p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Fair Oaks Avenue
and Pepper Street regarding a strong arm robbery. On arrival, officers
learned that the victim was walking north on Fair Oaks Avenue with three
friends. As the suspects approached the victim, they intentionally bumped
into the victim and at the same time grabbed a chain from her neck. The
suspects fled into the King’s Villages Apartments. Officers coordinated a
search of the area and located the suspects a few block away. Following a
positive identification, the suspects were arrested without incident and booked
at the Pasadena jail.
On February 1 at about 1:13
p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to 1800 block of Lundy Avenue
regarding a missing person investigation. The victim, a Female Black, 86,
suffers from dementia and walked away from a relative’s home. Several
Police Volunteers assisted PPD officers and the supervisor in charge, Sergeant
Kate Favara, coordinated our efforts to locate the critical missing
adult. Approximately two hours later, the victim was found in Altadena by
Detective Mark Lang. The victim was unharmed.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always