PASADENA, CA - On February 15, 2007, the Anti-Defamation League Pacific Southwest Region will honor Pasadena Police Corporal Alejandro Peinado with the prestigious “Helene & Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate”. Corporal Pienado is one of five southern California law-enforcement officers who where selected through a nomination process to be honored at the 11:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony, being held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

The Sherwood Prize recognizes law enforcement personnel who are so committed to their work that they make a significant difference in their communities and serve as role models for their departments. Corporal Peinado’s efforts have resulted in a significant decline in the number of racially-motivated attacks against middle age Latino males on the streets of Pasadena. Through his own initiative, Corporal Peinado launched an investigation and discovered that the attacks were a trend rather than isolated incidents and where discovered to be “initiation rites” for local gang members. Corporal Peinado, organized Latino groups, business leaders and the NAACP to work together in the community to help prevent these hate crimes.

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For further information on the specifics of this event, please contact Anti-Defimation League at (310) 467-4025.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click the link: Officer Honored

Pasadena, CA.  El Departamento de Policía de Pasadena, llevara a cabo un Operativo de Revisión de Licencias de Conducir el Miércoles, 14 de febrero de 2007, en toda el área de Pasadena de las 3:00pm a las 8:00pm.

Es nuestro objetivo reducir el número de accidentes en los que conductores abandonan la escena  y a la vez esforzar las leyes del Estado y así proteger a conductores, ciclistas y peatones.

Estadísticas muestran que la mayoría de los accidentes en esta ciudad, en que los conductores  abandonan la escena del accidente es  por miedo de recibir una infracción o ser encarcelados, al carecer de licencia. Nuestro departamento conduce esta clase de operativos regularmente así como otras ciudades en el Estado, en que la meta principal es el reducir el número de muertes, heridos y perdidas financieras relacionadas con este tipo de accidentes.

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

Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Police Department will conduct a Driver’s License enforcement program on Wednesday, February 14, 2007. This enforcement detail will be deployed throughout the City of Pasadena during the hours of 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

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 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: PPD Enforcement detail

PASADENA, CA - On Wednesday February 7, 2007 at 7:53 PM, Pasadena Police Officers responded to the intersection of Orange Grove and Lincoln Avenue in response to a call of shots fired. Once at the scene, officers located a male victim who had sustained gunshot wounds inside a vehicle at the intersection.  Paramedics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition where he ultimately succumbed to his wounds. The victim has been identified as Shawn Baptiste, 18, of Pasadena.

While investigating this case another call of shots fired was received in the area of Washington Blvd. and Raymond Avenue at about 9:45 p.m. Officers responded to the 800 block of Raymond Avenue and after a brief search found a victim who had suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital where he was treated. That victim has been identified as Robert Arnaud, 18, of  Pasadena.

It is undetermined whether or not the two shootings are related, however they are both deemed gang related. Both cases are still under active investigation.

There is no suspect information at this time. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police Detective Section at 626.744.4522.

In the meantime, the Pasadena Police Department has stepped up enforcement efforts concentrating on leads that are developed through the course of the investigation. “Officers will be redeployed and will be working extended hours until such time as the killers are incarcerated,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “We will be concentrating our efforts in Northwest Pasadena, where four shootings, two of them fatal and two that were meant to be fatal, have taken place within the last 7 days. It is our intent to stop this.”

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Police Investigate Shootings

On Friday evening at about 9:50 p.m., Deon Mitchell, age 21 of Pasadena, was shot in the parking lot of Showcase Liquor located at 1392 N. Lake Ave., in the city of Pasadena. A vehicle described as a dark, four door vehicle was seen leaving the area.

Pasadena Fire responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The identity of the suspect (s) is not known.

Pasadena Police have increased their enforcement efforts due to recent shootings. Police Detectives are investigating any 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 version of this Press Release click: Murder

On Thursday evening at about 9:38 p.m., a 17-year old male (from Pasadena) was shot several times while standing along the 500 block of  West Washington Blvd., in the City of Pasadena. A vehicle described as a dark compact was seen leaving the area. The identity of the suspect(s) is not known.

Pasadena Fire rendered emergency aid to the victim before transporting him to the hospital. The victim remains in critical and guarded condition. Pasadena Police Detectives are investigating any and all leads. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department Detective Section at (626) 744-4522.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Attempted Murder