Touching Base: A Message from the Chief
November 20, 2011
Dear Community Members and
Department Personnel:
Save the date: On Friday,
December 16, from noon to 2 p.m., the
Women’s Room will host a food and clothing drive to support their clients. The
Women’s Room is a safe daytime refuge for women who are alone and homeless or
at risk and is located at 444 E. Washington Blvd. The Women’s Room is
specifically looking for non-perishable food items (canned goods, tuna,
chicken, beef stew, etc.) and clothing (sweatshirts, coats, and warm pants in
sizes large and extra-large). Along with KCAL News Co-Anchor Michaela
Pereira I plan to attend the event. We hope to see you there.
Our Community:
On November 14, I attended the Rotary Club Tyros luncheon. New
Rotary members attend the Tyros functions to network and develop relationships
with other members. Along with one other member, I made a brief
presentation about my personal and professional experiences that led me to the
Pasadena Police Department.
On November 15, the Pasadena Neighborhood Leadership Institute held
its graduation ceremony in the Rose Bowl Media Room. I had the
opportunity to speak with the group a few weeks ago to discuss organizational
leadership and cultural change. Congratulations to the participants for
completing this very comprehensive leadership program.
On November 15, City Manager Michael Beck and I participated in
a tri-city meeting with representatives from Burbank and Glendale. The
groups met to discuss future opportunities for integrating police
resources. Currently all three cities have an informal resource-sharing
agreement (air support, K9 and SWAT).
On November 15, Fire Chief Calvin Wells, American Red Cross
Executive Director Ben Green and I attended the American Red Cross
Second Annual Heroes Breakfast. The event honors several local community
heroes who support ARC. This is the second time I have attended this
extraordinary event. Special thanks to Ben for including the Police
Department.
On November 15, several members of the Police Department participated
in a training opportunity offered by Center for Civic Mediation Executive
Director Tobi Inlender. Tobi’s presentation focused on conflict
resolution and mediation resources offered by the center. Special thanks to
Tobi for sharing this valuable information with our officers and employees.
On November 17, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Commanders Lisa
Rosales and Chris Russ, Lieutenants Phlunte Riddle, Rodney
Wallace and Randall Taylor, Police Specialists Anita Butler,
Corporal Glenn Thompson, and I attended the Pasadena Citizens Police
Academy graduation at Brookside Golf Club. The program was coordinated by
Sergeant Mike Bugh and the department's Explorer Post 19 served as the
color guard. The 11-week program was facilitated by Motor Officers Thomas
Blanchard and Derek Locklin. Congratulations graduates.
On November 17, Pasadena Police Volunteer Harry Kouladjian
graduated from the FBI Citizens Police Academy. The ceremony was held in
Santa Monica. The FBI Citizen Police Academy is designed to enhance
community relationships by educating the participants about the FBI.
Harry is very active in Pasadena and donates hundreds of hours annually to
support the Police Department and the community. Commander John Perez
and several officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section
attended the graduation.
Pasadena’s Finest:
On September 28 Pasadena Police Officer Sean Porter took a
police report documenting a restraining order violation. The suspect
(male adult) was stalking the victim at her workplace for a prolonged period of
time. PPD Detective Ryan Smith was assigned the case.
Through his diligence, Ryan determined the suspect had repeatedly threatened
the victim and entered her home unlawfully on two occasions. Ryan
developed enough evidence and submitted his case to the Los Angeles District
Attorney’s Office. The D.A. filed the case and an arrest warrant was
issued for the suspect. On November 2, the suspect apparently went
to the victim’s home and attempted to enter. The victim notified her local law
enforcement agency (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Temple Station);
however, the suspect had fled the location. On November 9, Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Deputy Urbina observed the suspect walking near Buena
Vista and Duarte Road. Deputy Urbina contacted the suspect, verified he
was wanted and arrested him without incident. This arrest would not have
been possible without the professional work by Sean, Ryan and Deputy
Urbina. Moreover, this case is a great example of the collaborative
relationship PPD shares with its neighboring law enforcement agencies.
From November 13 to 15, Commander Lisa Rosales and several Pasadena
female employees attended the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement training
symposium in San Jose. The symposium was very well attended. Female
employees and executives travel from throughout the state to attend this
well-coordinated event. You may recall that the Pasadena Police
Department hosted the WLLE symposium last year.
On November 16, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls and I attended the
San Gabriel Valley Police Officers Association monthly meeting in San
Dimas. The meeting is usually attended by law enforcement officers and
executives from throughout the San Gabriel Valley to discuss public safety,
crime and other topics. It is a great networking opportunity for all who
attend. This month the guest speaker was Los Angeles Police Department
Captain Rich Meraz (ret.), who was assigned to the Rampart Station in
the 90s. You may recall that in 1990 the Rampart Station was the focus of a
corruption scandal involving several officers. Rich provided valuable
insight, which is helpful to reduce the likelihood of a repeat situation.
On November 17, Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle and I attended the
Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association meeting at the U.S. Marshals
Service Training Center in Monterey Park. The group meets monthly to
discuss relevant topics concerning public safety. The LACPCA has a
long-standing professional relationship with the U.S. Marshals Service.
On November 18, Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls, Lieutenant Mike
Ingram, Sergeant Mark Goodman and Officers Joe Longoria, Brad
May, Steve Thurston and Ponce Magat attended the LA IMPACT 20th
anniversary celebration in Los Angeles. LA IMPACT is a narcotics task
force created by the Los Angeles County Chiefs of Police to combat the sales
and distribution of narcotics in the region. The Pasadena Police
Department participates on the task force.
On November 18, I participated in the chief of police selection
process for the City of San Luis Obispo. The panel interviewed several
qualified candidates, which included police executives from outside the
state. The top candidates will move on to an interview with the city
manager and a final selection will be made shortly.
Critical Incidents:
On November 10 at about
8:55 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Rite Aid Pharmacy, 1421 E.
Washington Blvd. Two male suspects, approximately 20 years old and
wearing hooded sweatshirts, entered the store. One suspect was armed and
demanded money. PPD officers searched the area; however, they were unable
to locate the suspects. No one was injured during the robbery. PPD
detectives are investigating.
On November 13 at about
12:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
monitored a group of protestors who met near the Whole Foods Market on Fair
Oaks Avenue. The group gathered until about 3:00 p.m. and then
dispersed. There were no arrests associated with this incident.
On November 13 at about
4:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
responded to the area of Colorado Blvd and Lotus Street regarding a burglary
from motor vehicle. Officer Ivis Moran drove to the area and observed a
male subject acting suspiciously. Ivis developed sufficient probable
cause and detained the subject. The subject was in possession of drug
paraphernalia and stolen credit cards taken in an auto burglary. Well
done, Ivis.
On November 15 at about
12:21 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
responded to assist the Pasadena Fire Department on an apartment building fire
at 416 N. Garfield Ave. The fire was contained to a single
apartment. PPD officers contained the area and assisted in evacuating
several neighbors impacted by the fire. PPD Sergeant Tory Riley served
as the incident commander.
On November 15 at about
11:45 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
attempted to conduct an enforcement stop near Lake Avenue and Walnut
Street. The driver attempted to evade the officers and a vehicle pursuit
ensured ending at El Molino Avenue and Cordova Street. The suspect fled on foot
and was later arrested without further incident. On November 16 at
about 7:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers were conducting a follow-up
investigation, which was focused on the vehicle pursuit from the night before.
The officers were checking the area where the suspect was arrested and
discovered three pipe bombs. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Bomb Unit
responded to the location and detonated the devices. Lieutenant Pete
Hettema managed the vehicle pursuit and Lieutenant Richard Aversano
was the incident commander assisting with the bomb disposal . The pipe bomb
incident was covered in the local media: www./latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/three-pipe-bombs-detonated-in-pasadena.html.
On November 16 at about
4:30 p.m., Pasadena Police officers
responded to Summit Avenue and Dearborn Street regarding gunshots. On
arrival PPD officers discovered a female victim suffering from a single gunshot
wound to the leg. A witness said the suspect, an adult male, shot
the victim after a verbal altercation. PPD detectives are investigating;
the weapon used in the assault was recovered.
On November 18 at about
3:30 p.m., a Pasadena motorcycle
officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Los Robles
Avenue and Glenarm Street. As the officer walked up to the vehicle, which was
occupied by four juveniles, the driver sped away, attempting to evade the
officer. A short vehicle pursuit lasted approximately one minute. The
occupants were quickly detained without further incident.
On November 18 at about
7:30 p.m., a small group associated
with the Occupy L.A. movement walked from Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in
Old Pasadena. Lieutenant Cheryl Moody contacted the group and told
them to obey all laws. There were no reported incidents associated with the
walk
On behalf of the Pasadena
Police Department, I would like to wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving Hoilday.
Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always