Community-Police Dialogue
                            A PASADENA CITY-WIDE CONVERSATION

Intended as an opportunity for police officers and Pasadena residents to discuss pertinent matters and promote greater understanding between the police department and the community which it serves. The dialogue will be facilitated by the Western Justice Center.

The Pasadena Police Department invites members of the Pasadena community to the first in a series of dialogues on police-community relations and issues that affect us all.

Monday, March 29, 2010
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
John Muir High School
Rufus Mead Auditorium
1905 Lincoln Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103-1399

                                Spanish translation will be available.
     To RSVP, please contact: monya@westernjustice.org, OR call 626-584-7494

To view the PDF versionof this press release click Community-Police Dialogue

The Pasadena Police Department Invites You To The First 

“All Hands On Deck” Service Area 5 Community Meeting

Meet your Service Area Lieutenant, Sergeants, Officers, Forensic Technicians, and Emergency Services Operators and Members of the Police Department Command Staff.

When: Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Where:  Maranatha High School
            169 South Saint John Avenue, Pasadena California

Topics Include:
  Crime Trends
  Crime Prevention Information
  Simple Ways to Stay Informed Electronically
  Question and Answer Session

For further information, please call Lt. Tom Pederson at (626) 744-4620 or leave a voice mail at (626) 744-6501 #5.  You can also email me at tpederson@cityofpasadena.net  See you there!

To view a PDF version of this press release click Community Meeting for Business Districts

PASADENA, CA –   Just a reminder of two great photo opportunities this week!�
 Read Across America starts today.  Confirmed scheduling is as follows, but call Police Specialist Laura Morris at 626-744-7657 for any readings added.

Tuesday, March 2nd - 9:00am-9:30am at Jefferson Elementary School
   1500 E Villa Street, Pasadena

Tuesday, March 2nd - 8:30am-9:00am at Washington Accelerated Elementary School
   1520 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena

Thursday, March 4th  -  8:30am-9:00am at Washington Accelerated Elementary School
   1520 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena

Thursday, March 4th -  8:30am-10:30am at Webster Elementary School
   2101 E Washington Blvd., Pasadena 

Friday, March 5th  -  8:30am -10:15am at Norma Coombs Alternative School
   2600 Paloma St., Pasadena

Tonight,  (March 2) police officers will be balancing food trays and gun belts while they serve patrons at the Hamlet, giving all tips to the Special Olympics.  They serve from 5pm to 9pm at the Hamlet Pasadena, 214 South Lake Ave.  This event always provides great graphics and quotable moments.  For more information, please call Janet Pope Givens or Lieutenant Faulkner.

To view the PDF version of this press release click Reminder of great photo ops this week!

PASADENA, CA –  On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, an estimated 80,000 spectators will converge onto the Rose Bowl to watch an exciting international soccer match featuring Mexico vs. New Zealand, kicking off at 8PM.

 Heavy traffic and congestion is anticipated along the 110, 210 and 134 freeways leading to Pasadena.  Pasadena City streets are also expected to be heavily congested along the Fair Oaks, Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena Ave and Orange Grove Blvd corridors between the 110 Freeway to the stadium.  Heavy traffic is also anticipated on Linda Vista, Mountain Ave, Lincoln Ave, Washington Blvd, Arroyo Blvd and Rosemont Ave.  Rose Bowl officials and Pasadena Police are encouraging residents in the Pasadena area to plan their travels accordingly.  Heavy traffic can be expected between 5-8PM and 10-11:30PM following the match.

 “This is virtually a sell out game,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “And it may yet sell out between today and tomorrow.  As with any venue this large, we urge people going to the event to plan to arrive early.  It will take some time to get into the lots and the stadium.  With that many people planning to attend game, competing with people trying to get home from work, traffic will be extremely congested and slow. We ask for patience, consideration and cooperation.”

Pasadena Police encourage anyone going to the stadium to do the following:

o Plan to arrive early!  Pre-game activities start at 4:00pm.
o Try and come in from the north (210 Freeway at Arroyo/Windsor exit) if possible.
o DO NOT rely on GPS devices as routes may be adjusted and diverted to accommodate traffic congestion.
o Do pay attention to the message boards en route to the stadium.
o Do plan to carpool.  Fewer cars that drive in will make it faster, especially if parking becomes limited.
o Pay attention to radio traffic advisories on the way in to the stadium.  Detours may be implemented without advanced notice based on parking and traffic conditions.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click Important Rose Bowl Traffic Advisory for March 3rd Residents and Game Attendees Need to Know The Following

PASADENA, CA –   Pasadena Police Officers and other uniformed police employees won’t be throwing the book at, but will instead read a book to Pasadena Unified School District students Tuesday as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America.  Read Across America commemorates the March 2nd birthday of Dr. Seuss and begins the first week of March every year.

 “We have participated in this program for several years now and it is a wonderful way to interact with some of our youngest citizens,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “They love having us there and we love to do it.”  PUSD Superintendent, Edwin Diaz adds, “Read Across America week provides a wonderful opportunity for community members to connect directly with students and to gain first hand experience in our classrooms. We are grateful for the Police Department’s ongoing support of our kids and program, and we hope others will follow their example as volunteers.”

 Photo opportunities are available as follows:

Tuesday, March 2nd - 9:00am-9:30am at Jefferson Elementary School
   1500 E Villa Street, Pasadena

Tuesday, March 2nd - 8:30am-9:00am at Washington Accelerated Elementary School
   1520 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena

Thursday, March 4th  -  8:30am-9:00am at Washington Accelerated Elementary School
   1520 N Raymond Ave., Pasadena

Thursday, March 4th -  8:30am-10:30am at Webster Elementary School
   2101 E Washington Blvd., Pasadena 

Friday, March 5th  -  8:30am -10:15am at Norma Coombs Alternative School
   2600 Paloma sT., Pasadena

To view the PDF version of this press release click GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS GET BOOKED BY PASADENA POLICE

PASADENA, CA –   Pasadena Police Employees will serve tables to make a little extra cash in the 6th Annual Special Olympics “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser, benefiting the Special Olympics.  The event will take place on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm at the Hamlet Restaurant located at 214 S. Lake Avenue in Pasadena.

“Our employees do a lot to support the non-profit and social services in the City,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino. “We rely heavily on them to help us do our jobs.  If we didn’t have the resources we have through the not-for-profit agencies, we would not be able to refer families to the resources they need in order to cope.  Special Olympics connects families with service networks that can provide care and support for their loved ones.  This fundraiser is a fun way for our officers to interact with community members, assist the Special Olympics and say thank you for the work that they do.”

The department would like to encourage residents in and around the City to consider dining out that night and tipping your favorite police waiter for services rendered, but reminded that in trading gun belts for dinner trays, they may need some coaching!

The Special Olympics is a global nonprofit organization serving 200 million people with intellectual disabilities.

To view the PDF version of this press release click GUN BELTS TRADED FOR DINNER TRAYS TO HELP RAISE MONEY

PASADENA, CA –   Pasadena Police announced that it launched a new neighborhood crime mapping page available through its website yesterday.  At Monday’s City Council meeting, Interim Chief of Police unveiled his three pronged approach to electronic outreach efforts currently under way referred to as e-policing.  The first is his weekly e-mail message to community leaders.  These are people with large constituencies who are frequently asked questions about the department.  The second has been the launch of Nixle (www.nixle.com)  where anyone can subscribe to get information that the department sends out such as news releases, community alerts and advisories and event announcements.  The third, which launched yesterday, is CrimeMapping.com where anyone with computer access can find out about crime in the City.   The department is also looking into social websites such as Facebook.  The electronic messaging and information can be easily accessed by going to the department’s home page: (http://cityofpasadena.net/Police/ ) and clicking the e-policing tool bar.

“e-policing will be combined with the “one cop, one beat, one year” initiative to forge a new department structure in order to support our long standing philosophy of community policing,” says Chief Vicino.  “It, in no way replaces our face-to-face meetings, but it will be the centerpiece to our service area work in that it will help us provide more information, greater communication, and build stronger relationships in the community.”

To view the PDF version of this press release click PASADENA POLICE LAUNCH “e-policing” WEBSITE

PASADENA, CA – On Wednesday, February 24 at 3:30 pm., the Pasadena Police Activities League will show off when Whole Foods Market Pasadena delivers a check from a fundraiser earlier this year.  They will also deliver peanut butter and jelly and turkey sandwiches for the kids’ daily snack and will get a tour of the center at 960 E Walnut.

“We plan to have not only our PAL kids, but many of our community partners and volunteers that help make this program run,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  We want them to see how we spend their money and how much the kids get for every dollar donated.  Our community partners are invaluable in keeping the costs down.  We want our financial supporters to have the opportunity to see first hand how their contributions deliver after and out of school care to over 180 children per year.  Whole Foods Market Pasadena has been a major supporter and we appreciate all that they do.”

Pasadena PAL began in 1996 in partnership with The Salvation Army Tabernacle with an emphasis on providing a safe place to be after school.  Since that time, it has grown to include over  12 groups and non-profits, about two dozen volunteers, many of them police officers, and 1600 kids past and present, providing homework assistance, life skills, recreation and most importantly the encouragement to succeed.

Now, more than ever, it is important for kids to have a safe place to be until their parents get home from work.  Legislative conversations behind rising unemployment, early release of prisoners, municipal fiscal constraints rarely include discussions around the impact on children, but you can be sure that those very same issues will compete for our children’s attention unless they have an alternative.  PAL provides that alternative.  For more information on the Pasadena PAL program please call the Pasadena PAL Coordinator, Corporal Glenn Thompson or go to the website at: http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/police/Youth%20Programs/About_pals.asp

To view the PDF version of this press release click Police Activities League (PAL) Shows Off to Whole Foods Market Pasadena

PASADENA, CA – Over 100 Volunteers will be honored for their time, service and commitment to the Pasadena Police Department and the City of Pasadena on Thursday, February 25th at 6:00 p.m. The Annual Pasadena Police Volunteer Recognition Dinner will be held at the Rose Bowl in the Locker Room (1001 Rosemont Drive) and will be catered by Robin’s Restaurant.

“In the last year, our volunteers gave over 14,000 hours in service.  That equates to about 7 full time employees at a value of about $363,000,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “They do a lot of work for this department and our community that we would not be able to do otherwise.  This event is one small way in which we thank them for the tremendous amount of work and support they provide.”

All of the volunteers are graduates of the Pasadena Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy.  The intent of the academy is to  provide an interactive tool for community information and  education on how the police department works on a day to day basis.  The volunteer program formed from the academy which began in 1991 when many citizens found ways in which they could use their talent and time to help the department.  Since that time it has continued to grow and volunteer duties have expanded.

 Photo and interview opportunities are plentiful.  For more information about the dinner, the volunteer program, please call either Lieutenant Faulkner or Janet Pope Givens. 

To view the PDF version of this press release click Community Volunteers Add Value and Save Money

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department will conduct an aggressive driver program on Monday, February 22, 2010.  This enforcement program will be deployed throughout the City of Pasadena.  The hours of operation will be from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

“These programs are an effective tool for achieving our ultimate goal of saving lives and reducing injuries related to traffic collisions,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “Speeding, signal and signage violations, and aggressive maneuvers are all contributing factors in traffic collisions.  These enforcement programs not only remind people to slow down and be courteous, but also provide us with the opportunity to educate the public about safer driving habits.”  

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 Rude AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS SOUGHT BY PASADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT