Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
February 19, 2012
Our Community:
On February 8, Police Specialists Anita Butler and Laura Morris conducted a building tour for Cub Scout 48 from Hamilton Elementary School. The cubs had a great time and I’m told they asked a lot of questions. Anita and Laura are currently assigned to the department’s Community Services Section.
On February 12, Pasadena Police Sergeant Ed Calatayud attended the 2012 Marine Corps Family Day event, which was held at the Marine Corps Reserve Headquarters in Pasadena. This was a great opportunity to honor our military warriors and their families. Ed accepted the Semper Fi Award, which was presented to the Pasadena Police Department in recognition of our continued support. The invitation to the event was extended by Marine Corps Captain Rodney Solorzano, who is also a Pasadena Police Officer.
On February 12, Commander John Perez attended an event at Five Acres to recognize its new CEO, Chanel Boutakidis. Five Acres is a valued community partner and the event was well attended.
On February 14, Pasadena Police Officer Richard Vindiola attended the Eliot Middle School Garden Dedication ceremony. Richard said the rain created a little havoc; however, it did not dampen the spirit of the people attending this special community event. The garden was funded by a grant from the Environmental Media Association.
On February 15, several Pasadena Police employees, parents and community members attended the department’s Youth Accountability Board celebration for 26 young people graduating from the program. The Youth Accountability Board operates under a restorative justice philosophy diverting offenders away from the juvenile judicial system for minor violations. The program is sponsored by the Pasadena Police Foundation (PPF) and managed by Sergeant Jesse Carrillo. PPF Board Members Sandy Greenstein, William Irwin, Tom Kester (President), Mary Wilson, and Bob Baderian were in the audience.
On February 12, Commander Chris Russ, Lieutenant Pete Hettema, Sergeant Tory Riley and I attended a town hall meeting hosted by Councilmember Steve Madison. Director of Planning, Vince Bertori, provided an overview of the development in the city and answered questions specific to the mid-town service area. Chris and I discussed a number of public safety issues including homelessness.
On February 17, Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle, Pasadena Fire Emergency Coordinator/PIO Lisa Derderian, and I met with several members of the Radio TV and New Association. The meeting focused on issues associated with information sharing, open communication, and improving relationships between the first responders and the media. The meeting was productive and very informative.
On February 17, Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle and I attended a banquet and reception hosted by Fuller Theological Seminary. The event capped a three day event focused on Schizophrenia and Human Flourishing. The highlight of the evening was an interview with Dr. John Nash (1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics Sciences and the subject of the 2002 Academy Award Best Picture, A Beautiful Mind). Special thanks to Fuller Theological Seminary Dr. Winston Gooden, Dean – School of Psychology and Director of Development, Christa M. Reiff, for including the Pasadena Police Department in this exceptional evening.
On February 18, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Commanders John Perez and Lisa Rosales, Lieutenants Rodney Wallace and Phlunte Riddle, Police Administrator Gena Persons, and I joined with Pasadena Fire Fighters to walk in the 30th Annual Black History Parade. The event was well attended and parade entries came from far and wide. Elected officials from local, state and federal governments also participated. VIPs included Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, City Manager Michael Beck, Pasadena Branch NAACP President Joe Brown, and KTLA co-host Michaela Pereira. Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Director Mercy Santoro, Administrator Horace Wormely, Supervisor Jarvis Emerson, and the Pasadena Police Event Planning Unit helped coordinate the event.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On February 8, Pasadena Police Specialist Anita Butler facilitated a neighborhood watch meeting with several community members who live on or near Brigden Road, This is a brand new neighborhood watch group and several Pasadena Police employees when out to support Anita and meet the community.
On February 9, Sergeant Vasken Gourdikian participated in a community forum geared toward careers in law enforcement. The forum was hosted by UCLA and well attended by students from USC, Woodbury, and Northridge Universities. The majority of the participants were Armenian College students seeking law enforcement careers. Armenian General Benevolent Union’ representative, Yasmin Alpay, coordinated this unique educational opportunity. Commander John Perez also attended.
On February 15, the Pasadena Police Department announced that Officer Anthony Russo and Corporal Robert Tucker were selected to facilitate the next Pasadena Citizen Police Academy, which begins March 8. The Citizen’s Police Academy is an educational program intended to expose participants to the daily operations of the Pasadena Police Department. The class facilitator is a much coveted position within the department.
On February 15, Corporal Glenn Thompson hosted the “PAL Member of the Month” event as well as the winner of the “Who am I” contest. The young man honored as “PAL Member of the Month” is a 6th grade student at Eliot Middle School and currently maintains a 3.50 GPA. The PAL (Police Activities League) is a youth development program focused on education enrichment and physical and social activities toward the development of the whole child. To learn more about PAL, please visit: www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/police/pasadena_pal_program.
On February 15, I received information that Pasadena Police Sergeant Mark Goodman completed his first “solo” flight in a helicopter at Brackett Airport. Mark’s accomplishment is exceptional given the skills necessary to pilot a police helicopter. While there is more training ahead for Mark, this day was very special indeed. Congratulations. Lieutenant Mike Ingram commands the Pasadena Air Support Unit.
On February 16, I received an email from a citizen commending the Pasadena Police Department for responding quickly to investigate drug activity. Although the suspects left the area before the police arrived the citizen was very pleased with our response.
On February 17, I received notice that Pasadena Police Officer Cesar Aguilar was selected as a Youth of Promise Mentor. Cesar is one of many Pasadena employees who volunteer their time with young Pasadena people in need of adult supervision and engagement. The Youth of Promise Mentoring Program is facilitated by Flintridge Center Director of Prevention and Intervention Services, Ricky Pickens.
Critical Incidents:
On February 9 at 3:34 p.m. Pasadena Police officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) were in the 500 block of East Washington Boulevard when they observed a male adult wanted for an outstanding warrant. When the officers approached the suspect, he fled. SES officers engaged in a brief foot pursuit and detained one subject.
On February 12 at 2:00 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 900 block of Summit Avenue regarding an attempt murder. On arrival, officers discovered that the suspect and victim were married. The suspect and victim started to argue, which led to a physical altercation. The suspect grabbed the victim by the neck and was strangling the victim, but was stopped when a neighbor intervened. The suspect was arrested without further incident and booked at the Pasadena jail.
On February 13 at 9:57 p.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 100 block of West Del Mar Boulevard regarding a domestic violence investigation. On arrival, the officers talked to the victim who indicated she was assaulted by her boyfriend. The suspect was subsequently arrested and booked at the Pasadena jail. The story was covered in the local media. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/hugh-hefner-son-arrested.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+(L.A.+Now).
On February 15 at 1:35 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 300 block of West California Avenue regarding a structure fire. The officers assisted the Pasadena Fire Department by establishing a perimeter around the structure. Once the fire was extinguished, a female victim in her 60s was discovered deceased inside the structure. There was no foul play suspected in this incident.
On February 15 at 8:00 p.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Summit Avenue and Dearborn Street regarding shots fired. The officers checked the immediate area; however, they did not locate any evidence of a shooting. Later, PPD received a return call to the same area when a witness discovered bullet strikes on his personal vehicle. The scene was processed for evidence. If you have any information about this incident please call Lieutenant Tracey Ibarra at 626-744-4241 or email here.
On February 16 at 11:12 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the 1200 block of Summit Avenue regarding a residential burglary. The victim called the police and reported he could see the suspect trying to get into his home. PPD officers arrived quickly and located two subjects of interest. It was later determined the subjects were not involved and they were released. Our investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please call Lieutenant Tom Delgado at 626-744 4241 or email here.
On February 17 at 1:00 p.m. Pasadena Police officers received information that unknown suspect(s) had fired a single gunshot into the window of an empty courthouse office at the Pasadena Court House. The office is located on the southwest portion of the building. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident.
On February 17 at 7:30 p.m. the Pasadena Police Department responded to Hillsides School (located on Avenue 64) regarding a missing student. The young male student was last seen around 6:30 p.m. PPD officers started searching immediate area while at the same time working with school officials to locate the child. A short time later, school officials received a phone call from the student’s father. The father said he had custody of his son.
Of February 18 at 4:40 p.m. Pasadena Police detectives briefed Special Enforcement Section (SES) officers about two suspects wanted for a string of commercial burglaries and robberies. Within hours, SES officers Tai Wotherspoon and Jason Cordova observed the suspects in the area of Fair Oaks Avenue and Washington Blvd. Tai and Jason quickly contacted the suspects, who are Pasadena residents, and arrested them without incident. Pasadena Detectives Carolyn Gordon and Robert Jenkins responded to the incident and assumed command of the investigation.
Until Next Time,
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always