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

Pasadena, CA - On October 31, 2007 undercover officers from the Pasadena Police Department conducted a   daytime prostitution sting.  Several undercover decoy officers posing as prostitutes were deployed for several hours resulting the in the arrest of fourteen male adults and one female adult. 

On occasion, area residents complain about the impact to the quality of life and business owners cite the negative economic impacts that are associated with this type of activity.  These random stings are designed to address these complaints and are conducted by the Vice Unit several times a year throughout the city. 

Since January 2007, 68 people have been arrested for prostitution or prostitution related crimes in Pasadena.  These stings focus on male and female participants and hope to send the message that, if you come to Pasadena to commit an act of prostitution, you will likely get caught and arrested! 

The maximum penalty for this offense is 6 months incarceration and $500 in fines.  Arrestees also must attend AIDS awareness classes and are tested for the presence of HIV.

To view the PDF of this Press Release click the link 15 Arrests Made in Daytime Prostitution Sting