Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Police Department will conduct a Driver’s License enforcement program on Wednesday, January 24, 2007. This enforcement detail will be deployed throughout the City of Pasadena during the hours of 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

“Hit and Run accidents are at an all time high in the City, “says Chief Melekian. “It has been shown that there is a direct correlation between hit and run accidents and unlicensed drivers. It is our intent to abate the number of hit and run collisions by enforcing the driving laws of the state. It is the goal of the Pasadena Police Department to protect motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians from unlicensed drivers.”

Statistics bear out that the majority of hit and run collisions in the city are a result of a driver not in possession of a valid driver’s license. As a result, they flee the scene after the collision for fear of being ticketed or jailed. The department conducts these operations on a regular basis in conjunction with the Office of Traffic Safety as do other cities in the state with the primary goal to reduce deaths, injuries and financial losses related to hit and run traffic collisions.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: License Enforcement

PASADENA, CA – On January 20, 2007, the Pasadena Police Department, Special Investigations Section conducted a Minor Decoy Operation at various licensed liquor establishments in the city. The minor attempted to purchase alcohol from fourteen establishments, five of which sold alcohol to the minor. The establishments that made the sale were Vons Market, located at 845 E. California Bl., Whole Foods Market, located at 3751 E. Foothill Bl., Wild Oats Market located 603 S. Lake Ave., 7-11 Store, located at 690 N. Lake Ave., and Hill Market, located at 1573 N. Hill Ave. 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.

The Pasadena Police Department is one of twenty-seven agencies statewide, one of twelve agencies in Southern California and the only agency in Los Angeles County to receive minor decoy grant money from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The purpose of the grant is to decrease the consumption of alcohol in minors, which along with drugs is the leading cause of death and injury among teenagers and young adults.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Minor Decoy Operation

PASADENA, CA – At about 4:00 a.m. this morning, the Pasadena Police Department arrested a prowler that may be responsible for some of the burglaries that have taken place in the last six months in the Southeast part of the City. “We have someone in custody,” says Acting Chief of Police Chris Vicino. “Whether or not he is solely responsible for any or all of the burglaries is still under investigation, and with that in mind we ask residents to maintain their vigilance in case there are more burglars still working the area.” This is the fourth burglary arrest that has been made in that area since October.

At just before midnight, the department received a call from a resident in the 700 block of Holladay Road stating that they had seen a man running out of their driveway. The department responded and with the assistance of several other agencies providing officers, air support and K-9 units, a containment area was established. Additional information provided by residents as the suspect fled through several back yards helped officers locate the suspect at a neighboring location.

Gary Hart, 44, of Altadena was arrested for prowling. He is being held on a no bail warrant and is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link:  Altadena Man Arrested for Prowling

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place and Monday, June 4th, the same afternoon that a homicide occurred in Altadena. “While this shooting took place in Pasadena, we believe that it may be linked to the homicide that took place only hours before in Altadena,” says Chief of Police Bernard K. Melekian. “Crime does not stop at the border and neither do we. The Pasadena Police Department, along with the Altadena Sheriff’s deputies and detectives are continuing to pool our resources and information so that we can stop this senseless violence.”

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Abate Street

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department is pleased to announce that once again, arrests were significantly lower this year than they have been in years past. Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2006 and noon on January 1, 2007 a total of 18 arrests were made, all of which were on the parade route prior to the parade. All of them were misdemeanors, most were alcohol related. There were 12 arrests at the game, most of which were alcohol related.

The final gate numbers were not available at the time of this writing, but the stadium appeared to be at capacity. For more information about final parade and game statistics, please contact the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Media Relations at 626.449.9550, extension 312.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click here: game recap