PASADENA, CA –   At approximately 8 am this morning, a suspect described as a male Hispanic approximately 25 years of age, approached a female high school student from behind and groped her buttocks and genital area and then quickly fled on foot when she began to scream.  This incident occurred at Blair High School on the third level of the “A Building” which is the school’s main facility.  The student’s screams attracted a lot of attention from school staff and students alike but the suspect was gone before anyone saw him.

The suspect is further described as nearly six feet tall, a heavy build, a shaved head with an unknown type of tattoo on his right arm.  He was wearing a loose fitting green shirt and baggy blue jeans. 

Officers conducted an extensive search of the immediate and surrounding areas of the school for the suspect but were unable to locate him.  Police agencies and school districts of surrounding communities were notified of the incident as a precaution.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Sexual Battery Occurrs at Local High School

PASADENA, CA –   The Pasadena Police Department has just implemented a year-long special traffic safety program aimed at preventing roadway deaths and injuries.  New and enhanced traffic enforcement measures will be in force as a result of a recent $232,900 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety to the City of Pasadena.  “The Pasadena Police Department is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian.  “We greatly appreciate the partnership with the Office of Traffic Safety and the tools they provide to help us maintain traffic safety in the City.”

The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant assists in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic collisions.  The grant activities will specifically target DUI offenders, drivers with suspended or revoked licenses, illegal street racing, red light runners, and seatbelt violations.  This will be done through the use of activities which may include DUI/driver’s license checkpoints and special enforcement operations.  The grant also provides funding for equipment and overtime to conduct special enforcement activities.

“The bottom line is that following traffic laws, whether it’s using seat belts, driving sober, or not speeding, makes sense because it saves lives,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety.  “This grant will help make the roadways of the City of Pasadena safer for everyone.

Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To view the PDF Version of this Press Release click: Pasadena Police Launches Program to Curb Traffic Deaths and Injuries

PASADENA, CA – A contingent of employees and volunteers from the Pasadena Police Department will attend the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference held in San Diego from November 9 – 12.   The Department has received the prestigious IACP/ChoicePoint Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation for 2008 award for its Community Response to Eradicate and Deter Identity Theft (C.R.E.D.I.T) program.   A formal presentation of this and other awards will occur at an Award breakfast at 7:30am, Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina in San Diego.

“I am happy that the C.R.E.D.I.T. program is receiving this recognition,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian.  “It is an innovative program that involves our department and community volunteers in an effort to deal with financial crimes.  As a department, we can be more responsive to our community and provide prevention education. Additionally, this is great recognition to our dedicated volunteers and a true testament to the positive benefits of police and community partnerships.” 

For more information about the C.R.E.D.I.T. program please call Janet Pope Givens or the Detective Section at 626.744.4522.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Police Department Program Recieves International Recognition

PASADENA, CA - On Tuesday, November 11, 2008 the Pasadena Police Department will conduct a speed enforcement program throughout the City.  Speed is a significant contributor resulting in major injuries and death in traffic related collisions each year.  This program is an effective tool for achieving the Pasadena Police Department’s goal of educating, enhancing public safety and preserving life.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Administration.  For more information regarding traffic enforcement programs in Pasadena, contact Lt. Riddle.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Speed Enforcement Program Pasadena Police Department

PASADENA, CA - The Pasadena Police Department will be conducting a Red Light and Speed Enforcement (Aggressive Driving) Program on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  “The Lake Avenue corridor is the target of this operation,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian.  “There have been an unusually disproportionate number of collisions in that corridor in the last month and it is our intention to slow traffic down. Because it is a major throughway in the City with a heavy mix of business and residential units we need to remind people that the speed limits still apply and help them remember common courtesy and the rules of the road.”

These kinds of programs are an effective tool for changing driving habits of drivers who do not realize the consequences of this kind of dangerous driving. It is the goal of the Pasadena Police Department  to reduce traffic collisions, serious injuries and possible death as a result of drivers running red lights and speeding. 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  

To view the PDF version of this Press Release, click Pasadena Police Department Red Light Speed Enforcement Program

PASADENA, CA –   Chief of Police Bernard Melekian has been invited by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice to speak at their Community Policing Roundtable in Seattle, Washington.  ‘Preparing Tomorrow’s Officers: Opportunities For Challenges and Change’ is the theme of this event and Chief Melekian was invited as an innovative leader with a diverse perspective in preparing for succession.  As a recognized national law enforcement leader and with his recent experience as a City Manager, he offers a unique perspective to recruitment and retention of enthusiastic and qualified employees.  “I am both humbled and honored to have received this invitation from the College Director, Dr. Ellen Scrivner.  The fact that the College is hosting this roundtable is a testament to the growing need that employers and prospective employees have to merge the organizational and developmental styles of both to service our constituents. The working world is changing faster than it ever has and the expectations of organizations and those who are being recruited, referred to in some circles as the ‘Net Generation,’ have tremendous differences that need to be reconciled. I am excited about the opportunity to be part of that discussion.”

John Jay College of Criminal Justice is an international leader in educating for justice, with over 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students from over 130 countries.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release, click: Chief Melekian Speaks to Community Policing Roundtable

PASADENA, CA –   Chief of Police Bernard Melekian just returned from a Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) National Violent Crime Summit, where he and other top law enforcement officials from around the country discussed the positive correlation between economic breakdown and crime.  “This is an important national issue,” says Chief Melekian.  “Those of us in law enforcement know that when the economy is poor,   crime increases.  We are in the midst of a financial crisis unlike anything we’ve experienced in recent generations.  Statistics bear out that the amount and severity of crime significantly increases, as the number of homes in a community foreclosed upon increases.  While Pasadena has been fortunate not to have yet experienced the decline in the housing market that other communities have, we need to make sure that we are proactively involved with our community to insure that we can maintain our collective successes in decreasing crime in our city. As national economic issues begin to impact local communities it is imperative that these thoughtful deliberations have already taken place and that solutions are fully discussed. “

The crime summit took place in Washington D.C. at the Newseum, a museum dedicated to the journalistic history of news in the United States.  Over 150 police chiefs and other high ranking city officials were present.  In addition, the economic discussions, the presidential candidates’ representatives were present to discuss their plans for addressing crime and violence in their administrations. 

To view the PDF version of this Press Release, click: Economics Crime Summit

Monday October 6, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., the Pasadena Police Department will host     a press conference at the police department, in the 2nd floor briefing room at 207 N. Garfield Avenue, Pasadena California.  Light refreshments will be served. 

The press conference will outline the culmination of a 3-year long gang & narcotics investigation dubbed “Operation Hard Rock” and the results of our highly focused investigation efforts during the past 12 months, referred to as, “Operation Safe City.”
The following Law Enforcement Officials will be present at the conference:   

•  Chief of Police Bernard K. Melekian of the Pasadena Police Department
•  Mr. Thomas P. O’Brien, United States Attorney, Central District of California 
•  Mr. Kerry White, Head Deputy District Attorney, Pasadena Branch
•  Mr. Edward Follis, Associate Special Agent in Charge, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles
• Mr. John Torres, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Los Angeles
•  Mr. Robert Schoch, Special Agent in Charge, Los Angeles, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

There will be photos displayed of those arrested and a static display of seized weapons, narcotics and assets connected to this operation.

For more information contact Ms. Janet Pope Givens at (626) 744-4537 or Lieutenant Tom Pederson at (626) 744-4507.  

To view the PDF version of the Press Release click: Over 80 Arrested - Guns, Drugs and Money Siezed (Press Conference/Photo Opportunity)

PASADENA, CA –   The Pasadena Police Department has implemented a new police reporting system where residents can report crime by filling out a police report on line.  “The automated report writing system has been tested on a limited basis since April,” says Janet Pope Givens.  “We wanted an opportunity to insure that the system worked as well as to test internal paper flow process to insure the most efficient use of this procedure.”  Residents can now, if they choose, report certain crimes over the internet. These crimes reports are limited to crimes that have no suspect information or evidence that could lead to a suspect or arrest. These include; harassing phone calls, minor hit and run car collisions, lost property, theft if the value is under $5,000, vandalism, vehicle burglary, and vehicle tampering.  To file a report, citizens can log on to http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/police/home.asp  and follow the prompts. 

 “This application has been implemented in response to the community’s desire and the department’s need to provide more efficient and effective ways in which we do business,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “This in no way replaces 9-1-1 for emergency calls.  Anyone with online access may choose to report with this method if they so desire, but we will still send a police officer out to those who prefer the face to face contact.  It is a matter of convenience and efficiency for everyone.”   For more information about automated police reporting, please call Janet Pope Givens or Karen Peterson.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: New Reporting System Live Full Time

PASADENA - The Pasadena Police Department will conduct a Speed Enforcement Program throughout the City of Pasadena  on Monday, September 8, 2008.  The hours of operation are from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.

2The Pasadena Police Department is committed to reducing the number of traffic collisions resulting from aggressive driving, specifically speeding.  “Our goal is to reduce serious injuries and fatal collisions which are a direct result of speeding and reckless driving,” says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “To that end, we are using this operation as a tool with the hope of changing driving habits for those who do not realize the consequences of this kind of dangerous behavior behind the wheel.“

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Pasadena Police Department Speed Enforcement Program