PASADENA, CA – On December 28, 2007, the Pasadena Police Department, Special Investigations Unit conducted a Minor Decoy Operation at various licensed liquor establishments in the city. The minor attempted to purchase alcohol from seventeen establishments, none of which sold alcohol to the decoy.

Under the Minor Decoy operation, the minor must be under 20, must have the appearance of a minor and must answer truthfully if asked their age. Those who sell alcohol to a minor face a fine and/or community service for the first violation. In addition, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will take administrative action against the business’s liquor license. That may include a fine, a suspension of the liquor license, or permanent revocation of the license.

ABC is conducting the compliance checks state-wide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980’s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10 percent or even below.

In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

ABC is a department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak, a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.

PASADENA, CA – Pasadena Chief of Police, Bernard K. Melekian, announced that beginning Saturday, December 29, 2007, the Pasadena Police Department will once again conduct the Parade Watch Program along the Tournament of Roses Parade Route. Modeled after the successful nationwide Neighborhood Watch Program and in the spirit of continued homeland security, the Pasadena Police Department will be asking for the support and assistance of people camping in motor homes and recreational vehicles in proximity to the Parade Route. “Essentially, we are asking people who will be right there on the route, to be our eyes and ears. We are asking them to get involved and report any type of suspicious activity they may see,“ says Chief Melekian.
Pasadena Police Department representatives will be contacting recreational vehicle and motor home owners to individually discuss the concept of the Parade Watch Program. All vehicles parked within one block of the Parade Route may be subject to search.
People are asked not to leave vehicles parked unattended overnight within one block of the Parade Route. Unattended vehicles may be subject to enforcement under the City’s overnight parking ordinance.
In appreciation for the compliance of the individuals parked adjacent to the route, Pasadena Police representatives will place a commemorative 2008 Pasadena Police Department, Tournament of Roses decal on the lower left window of the parked vehicle.
The Police Department also asks that people in proximity of the Parade Route report any suspicious people, activity, vehicles or circumstances by calling (626) 744-4241. “The cooperation of the public in helping with our security efforts is what will once again make the Tournament of Roses Parade a safe and memorable experience for all who come to see it,” says Chief Melekian.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click here: Pasadena Police Will Begin Annual Parade Security Detail

The Pasadena Police Air Operations Section and the Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) have conducted a toy drive benefiting pediatric patients at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Arcadia and Citrus Valley Medical Center Queen of the Valley Campus. Gifts will be delivered by Santa Clause and “elves” in green flight suits arriving by helicopter and police cars. 

WHAT:  Santa and officers in green suits delivering toys by helicopters and police cars

WHEN AND WHERE:  December 20th as follows:
 Huntington Memorial Hospital,  100 W California Blvd, Pasadena
Meet in the Main Lobby no later than  9:45 a.m. The media will be escorted to the roof where the helicopter “sleigh” will land with Santa and crew and then to the pediatric ward.  Contact: Connie Matthews – 626.397.5464

Methodist Hospital of Arcadia – 300 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia
Meet in the Lobby no later than 12:00 p.m.  Santa and crew will arrive by black and white police car.  The media will be escorted to the pediatric ward.
Contact:  Ann Azer – (626) 898-8076

Citrus Valley Medical Center, Queen of the valley Campus – 1115 S Sunset, West Covina
Meet in the Main Lobby no later than 2:45  where Santa’s elves/officers will deliver presents. Contact: Annette Macias: 626.814.2423

Close to $5,000 dollars was raised from contributions made by employees and employee associations of the participating FAST agencies.  “This truly demonstrates the care and compassion of  the employees from all of our agencies,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian.  “It is our honor as the hosting and coordinating agency to put this together with the men and women of so many other fine police departments.  But mostly it is our pleasure to bring some joy into the lives of the children at these hospitals who won’t  be home for Christmas. “

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Operation Polar Wind

The Pasadena Police Department will be conducting a DUI Enforcement Check Point program on Thursday, December 20, 2007.  This enforcement program will be deployed in the City of Pasadena.  The hours of operation will be from 7:00 pm – 3:00 am. The program is an effective tool for achieving the Pasadena Police Department’s goal in reducing drunk driving related collisions and associated injuries.  These programs also educate the public in regards to 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 (DUI) Check Point

****Photo Opportunity***

PASADENA – CA, The Pasadena Police Department, in cooperation with The Salvation Army – Pasadena Tabernacle, will host a “By invitation Only” Holiday Reception on Saturday, December 15, 2007 for approximately 100 qualifying Pasadena area families who were selected to participate in this event. The families - 250 children, 1 to 14 years of age collectively, will receive baskets of food and Christmas gifts from Santa Claus as they enjoy light refreshments and holiday music.

The festivities begin at 8:00 AM and will continue until 1:00 PM inside the cheerfully decorated lobby of the Pasadena Police Department at 207 North Garfield Avenue.
In conjunction with this event, Pasadena Police Officers will also deliver some of the baskets directly to the families at their homes.

This program is made possible through the generous donations of food and toys by the Salvation Army – Pasadena Tabernacle, under the direction of Patrick Riley.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Pasadena Police Department Hosts a Holiday Wonderland

Pasadena, CA - Wilbur Chuck Jew is in his 30’s, physically and mentally disabled, unable to speak clearly, unable to make good decisions (such as knowing when it is safe to cress the street), limps, is partially paralyzed on the right side and some vision impairment. He walked away from his residence in the southwet portion of Pasadena on 11/26/07. He requires medication daily for sability and to prevent seizures.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. Jew’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click Pasadena Police Seek Information on Critical Missing Adult

PASADENA, CA - Beginning Friday, November 23, 2007, the Pasadena Police Department’s Citizens Assisting Pasadena Police (CAPP) volunteers will begin patrolling major shopping areas for the Holiday Season. Trained volunteers will patrol designated shopping districts as part of the annual Safe Shopping Detail provided by the department. Volunteers will be equipped with police radios to report suspicious activities and or call for assistance in emergency situations.

The purpose of this program is to increase police presence in the shopping centers during the peak shopping periods. “It is our hope that the extra eyes and ears provided by the volunteers will be a deterrent to any person who might be looking to break into a car, or commit a street robbery,” says Chief Bernard Melekian. “It is a known fact that street crimes and vehicle burglaries increase during the Holiday Season – we are committed to doing everything we can to help prevent that from happening in the City of Pasadena.”

Photo opportunities of the CAPP volunteers on the Safe Shopping Detail can be coordinated by calling Officer Donna Cayson at 626 744-7652.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Pasadena Police Volunteers Help Make Holiday Shopping Safer

The Pasadena Police Department will be conducting a DUI Enforcement Check Point program on Friday, November 16, 2007.  This enforcement program will be deployed in the City of Pasadena.  The hours of operation will be from 7:00 pm – 3:00 am.

The program is an effective tool for achieving the Pasadena Police Department’s goal in reducing drunk driving related collisions and associated injuries.  These programs also educate the public in regards to 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 the link: PPD Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department released a photograph of a possible bank robber who robbed Citibank West (315 E. Colorado Blvd) this afternoon.

Police received a call at 1:15 p.m. stating that Citiibank West, located across the street from the Paseo Pasadena Mall, had just been robbed.  Officers arrived in less than a minute from the initial call. Witness statements indicated that the suspect had left the bank on foot and was last seen heading south through the Paseo Pasadena Mall.  A containment area was established. Shoppers and vehicles leaving the mall were checked however the suspect was not located.

The attached photograph (see PDF attachment) from the Citibank surveillance system shows a clear image of the suspect during the commission of the crime.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Pasadena Police Detectives at 626 744-4522.

To view this PDF Press Release click Police Release Photo of Bank Robbery Suspect

On Thursday evening at about 9:55 p.m., Pasadena Police responded to the 700 block of N. Los Robles Avenue after receiving calls of a shooting. They located an adult male, lying on the sidewalk and discovered that he had been shot multiple times. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later.  The identity of the victim will not be released until immediate family members can be notified.

The identity of the suspect (s) is not known.

Police Detectives are investigating all leads associated with this incident.  Anyone having any information regarding this crime is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department Detective Section at (626) 744-4522.

To View the PDF of this Press Release click on the link Shooting Victim Succumbs to Wounds