Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
February 24, 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:
Black History Month Events for 2013 include:
·
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 February 25, the Ecumenical Council Pasadena Area
Congregations is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Pasadena Bad Weather
Shelter. Supporters can enjoy a wonderful meal at El Portal Restaurant,
Yahaira’s Café, or Vanessa’s. 15% of the sales will be donated to the
shelters. To learn more about the restaurants please visit, www.elportalrestaurants.com.
From February 25 – 28, the Riverside Police Officers’
Association and the Sheriff’s Employee Assistant Team in conjunction with
California Pizza Kitchen will host a fundraiser for RPD Police Officer Crain
and SBSD Detective MacKay who were both killed in the line of duty
during a recent southland manhunt. The fundraiser is supported by CPKs
throughout the state of California.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Our Community:
On February 17, Deborah K. Sanchez and I attended
church services at Lake Avenue Church. Senior Pastor Greg Waybright
officiated over the services. I had the opportunity to provide a few
brief remarks at the conclusion of the services and talk about violence,
focusing on the core issues. Lake Avenue Church Executive Assistant,
Tiffany Reynoso, coordinated our participation.
On February 19, I attended a community meeting hosted
by the Flintridge Center. I talked about some recent news stories
focusing on the Pasadena Police Department. I also had the opportunity to
talk a little about Gun-Buy-Back programs.
On February 19, Commander Chris Russ attended the
Joint PUSD / City of Pasadena meeting, which was held in the council
chambers. The meeting focused on the PUSD / City of Pasadena’s collaborative
effort to create the 2013-2016 School/City Work Plan, which was subsequently
approved.
On February 20, Pasadena City College Police Chief Don
Yoder introduced himself at our weekly staff meeting. Don is talented law
enforcement official and served more than 25 years with the San Bernardino
County Sheriff’s Department attaining the rank of Captain. Don left SBSD
to accept the job as PCC’s Top Cop.
On February 20, I met with First AME Church Pastor
Williams about the proposed Gun Buy Back Program (GBBP). Pastor
Williams represents the Clergy Community Coalition (CCC) on the GBBP committee,
which is led by community member, Jill Shook.
On February 21, Deborah K. Sanchez and I
stopped at Congressman Adam Schiff’s Open House, which was held at his new
office – 245 East Olive Avenue, Burbank. There were several Pasadena community
leaders who stopped by to talk with Adam. Teresa Lamb-Simpson and
other field representatives greeted guests as they arrived at the open
house.
On February 20, Deputy Chief
Darryl Qualls attended the San Gabriel
Valley Police Officers Association Dinner, honoring Retired Arcadia Chief of
Police, Neil Johnson. Chief Johnson was honored for his many years of
support and service to Law Enforcement Exploring. He is widely credited
with introducing Police Exploring to west coast law
enforcement. Police Exploring was widely popular in east coast
policing. In the early seventies, Chief Johnson started the San Gabriel
Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Academy, at the then Pasadena Civil
Defense Center. Since its inception, over 4500 young men and women have gone on
to graduate from the academy, and many of them have entered the security or law
enforcement profession. In retirement, Chief Johnson continues to be
an active supporter of Law Enforcement Exploring.
On February 21, Commander Chris
Russ attended a meeting at Castle Green
regarding the use of open spaces, including the parks. The meeting
focused on park feeding programs currently operating in the city. Assistant
City Manager Steve Mermell, Public Works Director Siobhan Foster, and
Human Services & Recreation Director Mercy Santoro also provided
insight regarding the legal use of open spaces and the permitting process.
On February 23, Commander Chris
Russ, Sergeant Max Dahlstein and I attended
the 2013 Youth of Promise Mentor’s Breakfast, which was held at Lake Avenue
Church. Flintridge Center’s Director of Prevention & Intervention,
Ricky Pickens, and Program Associate Stacy Chavarria, organized the
event, which focused on the proactive work of the mentors. There are several
Pasadena Police employees who, on their own personal time, serve as mentors for
young people in the Youth of Promise program. Jacques Bolton was
the emcee and Assembly Member Chris Holden was the keynote
speaker. Audrianna Bartholomew sang the National Anthem. VIPs included Mayor
Bill Bogaard, MYPD Executive Director Techumseh Shackeford, and
Pasadena Police Communications Supervisor, Kathy Russ. Current PPD
mentors include: Beverly Bogar, Cesar Aguilar, Cheryl Moody, Chris
Russ, Derek Locklin, Jiten Pandya, Johnny Mercado, James Todd, Joshua Ward,
Kevin Ambler, Kyle Robinson, Marcia Taglioretti, Mario Ortiz, Max Dahlstein,
Thomas Blanchard, Thomas Delgado, Vasken Gourdikian, Frederic Zee, and
Phlunte Riddle.
On February 23, I participated in the Villa-Parke Recreational Youth Soccer
League Inauguration Parade. More than 500 young soccer players marched on
to the Villa-Parke Soccer Field in front of family, friends, and supporters.
Human Services & Recreation (HS&R) Director Mercy Antoro, Commanders
John Perez and Lisa Rosales, Lieutenant Tom Delgado and Corporal
Glenn Thompson were among the many VIPs. Pasadena Police Explorer
Post 19 completed the Flag Procession and Marco Bermudez served as our
emcee. HS&R Supervisor Rozanne Adanto, Aztec Dancely, and
Maggie Calderon provided welcoming remarks. The event was coordinated by
Human Services & Recreation Staff member, Jorge Carcamo.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On February 11, I received a letter from Lo/Jack
Senior Law Enforcement Liaison, Ted Saraf, commending Pasadena Police
Officers Kim Jones, Daniel Morris, Alex Torres, Brian Murphy, and
Sergeant Dennis Beene for their investigation which led to the arrest of an
auto theft suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.
On February 14, officers assigned to the police
department’s Special Enforcement Section (SES) served a search warrant at a
residence in the 2000 block of Summit Avenue. Allegedly, the suspect at the
location was responsible for selling narcotics. Community tips and leads
supported an application for warrant. Following the warrant service, the
officers arrested a Hispanic Male Adult, a known gang associate, for narcotics
possession. A second suspect at the location was arrested for outstanding
warrants. The primary officers involved were: Sergeant Bobby
Crees, Officers Tai Wotherspoon, Jacob Carey, and Edgar Sanchez.
Other SES officers also assisted with the investigation. Pasadena
Police Lieutenant Cheryl Moody commands the Special Enforcement
Section.
On February 16, Pasadena Police Officers Victor
Ontiveros and Kevin Arbuckle were on routine patrol in the area of
Lake Avenue and Belvidere Street, when they received a stolen vehicle alert
from their in-car Automated License Plate Reader (ALRP). Victor and Kevin
checked the immediate area and located the vehicle. They contacted the
two suspects inside the vehicle and arrested them without incident. A
subsequent investigation revealed that one of the suspects was also wanted for
a robbery in Pasadena. The suspects were booked at the Pasadena jail.
On February 15, Pasadena Police Traffic officers
conducted a DUI check point in the 800 block of Arroyo Parkway.
Approximately 2,151 traveled through the check point, which resulted in 31
Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs). About 8 drivers were arrested for DUI,
narcotics, or unlicensed operators. The checkpoint is funded by
California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Personnel assigned to the
checkpoint included: Sergeant Max Dahlstein, Corporals Wilkins and
Padilla, Officers Karg, Riley, Klotz, Marquez, McKenzie, De Sylva, J.
Calderon, Watkins, Blanchard, Morris, Northcott, Allen, Kim, Ortiz, Blumenthal and
Dispatcher McGlothlin. Lieutenant Pete Hettema was the incident commander.
On February 19, I received an email commending Pasadena
Police Sergeant Art Chute, Corporal Julie Finney and Officer Sean Dawkins
for their assistance with the Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon.
On February 20, staff from the department’s Technical
Services Section provided a Technology and Crime Analysis Update. The
staff demonstrated several computer programs that are designed to assist the
police department increase its ability to forecast crime.
On February 21, I received an email from Pasadena
Finance Department commending Pasadena Police Department’s Senior Budget
Analyst, Trudi Wilcox, for her work on the upcoming budget. Trudi
submitted in PERFECT form and well within the requested timeframe.
Critical Incidents:
On February 16 at about 1:00
a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to a fight in progress near
Raymond Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. On arrival, officers located the
unconscious victim. A total of five suspects were positively identified by
witnesses and arrested without incident for assaulting the victim. They
were booked at the Pasadena jail. The victim was transported to a local
hospital for medical treatment.
On February 16 at about 3:57
a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of the 400 block of
North Chester Avenue regarding a possible residential burglary. On
arrival, the officers learned the victim was walking her dog when the suspect
entered her home through an unlocked window and stole an IPAD device. The
field investigation let PPD officers to a nearby dwelling where it was
searched; however, officers did not locate the stolen IPAD. Our investigation
is ongoing.
On February 16 at about 10:53
p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to assist the fire department with
a house fire in the 2000 block of Brigden Road. The owners were evacuated and
there were no injuries associated with the incident. PPD officers
assisted with traffic control while the fire department extinguished the
fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
On February 16 at about 11:01
p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of El Sereno Avenue
and Woodbury Road regarding gunshots. Uniformed patrol officers, SES officers
and other field units saturated the area; however, they did not locate any
evidence of a shooting despite a comprehensive search.
On February 17 at about 12:34
a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1700 block of East Colorado
Boulevard regarding a Grant Theft investigation. On arrival, officers
learned that the victim was shopping at a nearby business when she was
approached by the suspect. The suspect reached into the victim’s purse
and removed her wallet. The victim alerted the store employees, who
attempted to detain the suspect. The suspect dropped the wallet while
running out of the store, but PPD officers later arrested him after being positively
identified by the victim. He was subsequently booked at the Pasadena City
Jail.
On February 19, detectives
assigned to the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Taskforce (WSGV-ACT)
received information about a suspect wanted for residential burglary. The
taskforce detectives observed the suspect in the area of Sunset Avenue and
Orange Grove Boulevard. He was arrested without incident and booked at
the Pasadena jail.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always