Touching Base:  A Message from the Chief
January 29, 2012
 

A year ahead of the deadline, the city of Pasadena implemented a new radio system designed to streamline communications among first responders. The Pasadena Police Department is the first to implement the new system. By spring 2012 the $7 million project will replace the city’s entire antiquated municipal radio communications system with a modern digital system that will allow for seamless communication among city departments and other local governments, reaching all the way from San Bernardino County to the coast. “The old system served the city well but it was about 30 years old and outdated,” said Telecommunications Supervisor Steven Page. "This modern, digital-trunked radio system will allow city departments much greater communications access and range and make sure our first responders never have the communication problems firefighters and police in New York faced on September 11, 2001.”

The city’s radio project will be complete nearly a year in advance of the Federal Communications Commission deadline of Jan. 1, 2013, for local governments to convert to narrowband radio systems that essentially use a less broad section of radio spectrum. Narrowbanding, or the condensing of radio bands, will allow for significantly more radio traffic and much more efficient use of the available radio spectrum. (The data about the radio system was provided by City of Pasadena PIO Ann Erdman).   

Our Community:  

On January 24, I stopped by the press conference to help launch the UC Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders.  The event was held at the Robinson Memorial across from Pasadena City Hall.  The event was hosted by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino.  Several VIPs attended, including UC Provost Lawrence Pitts, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Dean Richard Lyons, UC San Diego Rady School of Management Dean Robert Sullivan, Morehouse College Board of Trustees Chair Robert Davidson, Pasadena Journal Editor Joe Hopkins, John Muir High School Principal Sheryl Orange, Wells Fargo Senior Vice President David DiGristofaro, Anthem Blue Cross Vice President Tim Snyder and Community Bible Church Pastor Jean Burch.   

Pasadena dignitaries included Mayor Bill Bogaard, Councilmembers Chris Holden and Jacque Robinson, PUSD School Board President Renatta Cooper, PCC President Mark Rocha, PCC Board Member Berlinda Brown and Pasadena Police Lieutenant Rodney Wallace. Special thanks to Julianne Hines, district director for Assemblyman Portantino, for coordinating my participation.   

On January 24, I had the opportunity to speak to a community group at the Town Club. More than 40 community members attended the program.  I lectured on homeland defense and security.  Special thanks to Town Club Program Chair Lynn Cooper for coordinating my participation.  

On January 24, Lieutenant Pete Hettema attended the District 2 town hall meeting hosted by Vice Mayor Margaret McAustin. There were a number of topics discussed at the meeting, including public safety and education.   

On January 25, several Pasadena police employees attended the Pasadena Police Explorers’ meeting to watch as they received Special Recognition Certificates from Union Station Homeless Services CEO Rabbi Marv Gross and Volunteer and Community Programs Director  Sandy Potter.  Rabbi Gross and Sandy wanted to thank the explorers for assisting with the Union Station Thanksgiving dinner to assist homeless persons. The following PPD personnel attended the meeting: Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Lieutenants Phlunte Riddle and Rodney Wallace, Corporals Glenn Thompson and Dustin Gomez, Officers Darryl Harris, Veronica Burris, Sheri Schwab and Anthony Riley and Police Specialist Supervisor Michelle White.    

On January 26, Commander Chris Russ, Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle and I met with the Pasadena City Council field representatives.  The Police Department frequently meets with them to exchange information, provide updates on crime and address other important safety matters.    

On January 26, several Pasadena police employees attended Mayor Bill Bogaard’s 2012 State of the City event at A Noise Within Theatre.  Community members and city staff from every department also attended and there were a number of VIPs, including Council Members Chris Holden, Jacque Robinson, Terry Tornek and Steve Madison.  Vice Mayor Margaret McAustin served as the Master of Ceremonies. There were also a number of local, state and federal elected officials or their field representatives in attendance. During his speech Mayor Bogaard reflected on the city achievements in 2011 and outlined challenges and opportunities in 2012. The Pasadena Police Department Color Guard opened the event with the posting of colors.  Officers Rodney Saunders, Sever Oberon, Jason Van Heck and Edgar Sanchez served on the color guard.   

On January 28, I attended the Pasadena Mentoring Partners Breakfast at Lake Avenue Church.  Assemblyman Anthony Portantino provided the keynote speech.  Flintridge Center Director of Prevention and Intervention Services Ricky Pickens helped to coordinate the event, which was designed to improve communication among mentors as they work with our community youths.  VIPs at the event included Mayor Bill Bogaard, Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, PUSD Superintendent Jon Gundry and Pasadena Mentoring Partners Staff Member Lisa Wilson. Lieutenants Phlunte Riddle and Tom Delgado, Sergeants Marcia Taglioretti and Max Dahlstein attended the event along with their mentees. Jacques Bolton served as the Master of Ceremonies and Ms. Audrianna Bartholomew sang the National Anthem. Pasadena Mentor Partners include:  Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena; Catholic Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Christian Assemblies Church, College Access Plan, Flintridge Center, Lake Avenue Community Foundation, Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development, Teen Futures and YWCA of Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley. Each of the mentoring partners had representatives attending the event.   

On January 28, Commanders John Perez and Chris Russ, Lieutenants Cheryl Moody and Rodney Wallace, Sergeants Bobby Crees and Jason Clawson, several uniformed Pasadena Police officers and I attended a celebration at the AGBU Center to honor public safety. Fire Chief Wells and several uniformed fire fighters attended as well. AGBU Western District Executive Director Yasmin Alpay coordinated the event.  Special thanks to the entire AGBU for honoring the Pasadena Police and Fire Departments.   

Pasadena’s Finest:  

On January 11, I received two letters from Pasadena Tabernacle Social Services Director Patrick Riley commending Lieutenant Tracey Ibarra and Officer Victor Cass for assisting with the Salvation Army’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  Tracey and Victor served food during their off-duty time.    

On January 19, I received information announcing the newest members of the Pasadena Police Peer Support Team:  Vito Gaxiola, Rachel Johnson and Alex Padilla. The Peer Support Program is a valuable resource to help our employees deal with the impact of stress incurred while serving our community.  Peer Support Team members receive formalized training to help them help others in need.  Team members are recruited from sworn and civilian ranks and include  Joe Allard, Debbie Bush, Paul Carpenter, Vito Gaxiola, Mike Gligrijevic, Doug Hamblin, Darryl Harris, Rachel Johnson, Alex Padilla, Gena Persons, Sky Sandeen and Mike Villalovos.     

On January 23, I received an email from a community member commending Officer Steve Oberon for his presentation to the South Pasadena Girl Scouts of America, Troop 7751.  Steve provided safety tips to the girl scouts.  The author indicated Steve was extremely professional and was an “exemplary role model for youth.”    

On January 24, I received an email from the principal at Polytechnic School commending the Pasadena Police Department for our efforts to capture and arrest three South Pasadena burglary  suspects (the crime occurred in a neighborhood close to the school).  The principal specifically commended Pasadena Police Communication Center Supervisor Kathy Russ for her professional and calm deportment throughout the incident.  Kathy called the principal three separate times to ensure she was kept informed.    

On January 24, I received an email from San Gabriel Assembly Color Corps Commander Michael Salvato commending the Pasadena Police Department for all their hard work in the community.  

On January 25, I received an email from City of Pasadena Career/Academic Counselor Sandra Penrod commending Pasadena Police Officer Derek Locklin for presenting information to 27 students about careers in law enforcement.  Sandra wrote, “I was very impressed with the professionalism and how at ease you were communicating with the at risk young people from our neighborhoods.  I know you have made a huge difference in their lives by taking the time to be here with us.”   

On January 26, I received an email from a community member commending Officer Victor Cass for his work while assigned to the HOPE Team.  The author indicated Victor was helpful and professional.   

On January 26, I received an email from District 6 Field Representative Takako Suzuki commending Lieutenant Pete Hettema and Police Specialist Laura Morris for their participation at the Kaweah-Tamarac Neighborhood Watch Meeting.  Takako indicated Pete and Laura provide valuable information to the community members attending the meeting.    

On January 26, I received an email recognizing and congratulating Commander Chris Russ for stepping forward to become a mentor to the Youth of Promise Mentoring Program. Chris completed the mentoring training and will soon begin his formal duties.  Chris joins several other Pasadena police employees who are actively engaged in mentoring Pasadena youths.  Other recent mentors include Office Supervisor Beverly Bogar, Lieutenants Phlunte Riddle and Cheryl Moody, Officer Derek Locklin and Commander John Perez. The Youth of Promise Mentoring Program is facilitated by the Flintridge Center and the program director is Ricky Pickens.    

Critical Incidents:   

On January 18 at about 6:50 p.m., Pasadena police received a call from a female who was in an apartment in the 200 block of South El Molino Avenue.  The caller said she had located a male deceased victim and needed assistance.  Pasadena Fire Department paramedics responded.  The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to take custody of the body.  The cause of death is unknown; the medical examiner is investigating.    

On January 20 at about 1 p.m., several people associated with Occupy Democracy-Pasadena demonstrated at the Pasadena Superior Court building, the Federal Court of Appeals Building and a local business on Colorado Boulevard. The demonstrators remained at the locations until about 4 p.m.  There were no arrests or incidents associated with the demonstrations.   

On January 23 at about 3:45 p.m., Pasadena police officers responded to a report of a traffic collision (motorist vs. pedestrian) in the 200 block of Arlington Drive.  The pedestrian, an on-duty U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, suffered leg and head trauma when he was hit by the driver of an approaching vehicle.  The police department’s Traffic Section is investigating the cause of the collision.   

On January 24 at about 1:40 p.m., Pasadena police officers responded to a report of three males juveniles acting suspiciously in the 600 block of South Mentor Avenue.  Witnesses reported the suspects knocked on the front door of a residence and, after no one answered, walked toward the back yard.  PPD arrived quickly and one of our officers observed a suspect running away from a residence and requested assistance.  Air Support was over the scene almost immediately and observed all three suspects attempting to flee the area.  

PPD officers coordinated a perimeter and established a command post supervised by Sergeant John Luna.  Because the incident was in close proximity to Polytechnic School, officials at the school told students to remain in their classrooms. Following an intensive search, all three suspects were arrested without further incident. The suspects were likely involved in two other burglaries in the neighborhood.   

This incident required a great number of on-duty personnel to increase the likelihood of arresting the burglary suspects. However, Watch Commander Lieutenant Richard Aversano held officers in reserve to ensure we could continue to serve other areas of our community as needed.  The following personnel were involved in the burglary incident:  Sergeants John Luna and Johnny Mercado, Corporals Robin Stinson and Dennis Beene, Officers Philip Klotz, Louis Luevano, Kim Baecker-Henry, Luis Banuelos, Steve Arcand (with K9 Figo), Alex Torres, Ken Florendo, Jose Longoria, Chuck Reep, William Schepman, Doug Hamblin, John Watkins, Craig Blumenthal, Milton White, Victor Cass, Darryl Harris and Ralph Ordonez, Police Specialist Maria Huerta and Volunteer John Kendall.   

On January 24 at about 1:30 p.m. a citizen called the Pasadena Police Department to report a male subject who appeared to abandon a vehicle in the 500 block of North Oakland Avenue.  Officers Darryl Harris, Richard Vindiola, Darrin Craddolph and Luis Banuelos responded,  located the vehicle and determined it was stolen. A short time later a subject matching the description was detained. Our investigation determined the suspect was driving the stolen car.  He was arrested without incident.   

On January 27 the Pasadena Police Department Traffic Section conducted a Zero Tolerance DUI Saturation Patrol that started at 8 p.m. and concluded in the early morning hours.  The DUI operation focuses on impaired motorists driving on our city streets.  The officers assigned to the enforcement program stopped a total of 103 drivers and administered 22 Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.  Four drivers were arrested for driving while impaired.  Motor Officers Hsu, Watkins, Blanchard, Blumenthal, Locklin, Hamblin, Ortiz and Reserve Officers Bour and McKenzie comprised the DUI Task Force.   

Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always