PASADENA, CA –    On Wednesday April 30th, Whole Foods Market, located at 3751 E. Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena, with will sponsor a promotion where 5% of all proceeds earned that day will go to assist the Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL).  “Shoppers are encouraged to stop in the Whole Food Market to pick up a few items and help support a valuable youth crime prevention program”, says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.“ Our PAL program offers productive after school and out of school activities that engage kids from the entire community.  The community support we receive is crucial to its success.”

The Pasadena PAL program just celebrated its 10th anniversary.  Each year, it hundreds of Pasadena area kids between the ages of  9 -17 years old, who participate are supervised by Pasadena Police Officer and Youth Mentors.  During the school year, there is an emphasis on tutoring and life skills programs, however they also participate in year round activities such as computer, cooking, arts, along with statewide field trips and competitions. During summer months, the program provides sports activities and summer camps.

For more information on how to enroll students in the program, contact the PAL Director’s office, at 626.744.7653.

For the media interviews and site visits to the PAL center, please contact Lt. Kevin Hall or Janet Pope Givens.

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PASADENA, CA
What:  “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”
Where:   Pasadena Police Department, 207 N Garfield Ave
When:  April 24 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Why:  To give children an insight as to what they’re parents do in public safety services.

Photo opportunities include but not limited to:
• Children at Patrol roll call briefing
• Interactive outdoor displays highlighting special equipment and personnel such as the helicopter, the K-9 unit and Mobil Command Post,  fire apparatus
• Uniformed Police and Fire personnel with children and equipment
• Presentation on Internet Safety
• Opportunities for one on one parent and child interviews to talk about the day

For more information on timelines and photo opportunities, please contact Lt. Hall or Ms. Pope Givens.

PASADENA, CA – On April 18, 2008, 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 thirteen establishments, one of which sold alcohol to the minor.  The establishment that made the sale was King Ranch Market, located at 475 E. Orange Grove Blvd.  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.

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

PASADENA, CA - Children between the ages of 6-18 years old will be roaming the hallways and alley-ways of the Pasadena Police Department on Thursday, April 24th between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. as the department participates in the annual “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” event.

Group activities and highlights of the day and graphic opportunities include:

• Patrol roll call briefing
• Interactive outdoor displays highlighting special equipment and personnel such as the helicopter, the K-9 unit and Mobil Command Post.
• Pasadena Fire Department, on scene with fire engines and special gear.
• Opportunities for one on one parent and child interviews to talk about the day

“This is an opportunity for children to experience what their parents do day in and day out, says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino. “They get a chance to see police work and all that it entails while having fun at the same time.”

For more information on timelines and photo opportunities, please contact Lt. Hall or Ms. Pope Givens.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: “Pint Sized and Junior Cops Get Special Assignment”

PASADENA, CA – The second week of April is National Public Safety Telecommunications week and as such the Pasadena Police Department is excited to recognize the designation by honoring Pasadena Emergency Dispatchers. Each year the California Public-Safety Radio Association (CPRA) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) honors Emergency Service Operators (ESO’s) from throughout the state of California. Pasadena will receive recognition for the second consecutive year where ESO Cindy Perez will be honored for exceptional dedication to the job and her skill at training new recruits. “This is a tough job,” says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino. “It takes a particularly focused individual to do the job, much less train others and ESO Perez has done both extraordinarily well.” Perez will be honored with other ESO’s from around the State at the 20th Annual Telecommunicator Awards Banquet on April 17th, at the Diamond Bar Center, 1425 Summitridge Drive in Diamond Bar. The event begins at 6:00 p.m.

In addition, a special invitation is extended to the media to “sit in” the Pasadena Police Communications Center during the course of the week to observe as some of Pasadena’s diligent professionals handle critical calls for service through 9-1-1 services. “This is an excellent education opportunity,” says the Chief. “We hope that we can reach as many people as possible about how and when to use 9-1-1 and what to expect when that call is made.” This open invitation to the media is only good for this week, April 14 – 18. Please call the Pasadena Police Department Communications Supervisor at 626.744.4241 to schedule.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: 9-1-1 Education and National Telecommunications Week

Pasadena, CA – Every year, the Pasadena Police Department conducts the teen education “Every 15 Minutes” program.   This is an intensive two-day drunken driving awareness program directed at teenage drivers and is timed with the beginning of prom and graduation season.   Beginning on April 10th at 9:00 a.m., at Maranatha High School, a simulated fatal collision involving students will be arranged on Del Mar at St. John.  Over the next two days, students will experience the “grim reaper” of death, loss and family grief as student participants and their families share their obituaries and deepest thoughts on dying as a result of drinking and driving.

The Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Section, along with the Pasadena Fire Department, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office and Huntington Memorial Hospital are involved in this major demonstration which exposes high school teens to the dangerous and deadly consequences of drinking and driving.

Acting Chief Christopher Vicino says, “A teenager’s decision to drink and drive has had devastating implications on countless other teenagers and their families.   This awareness program will touch the minds and hearts of those who participate and their family and friends.  The Pasadena Police Department is committed to saving the lives of young people and this is one of our most powerful tools.”

For more information on the program and to set up interviews with participating students, please contact either Lieutenant Riddle or Janet Pope Givens.  

To View the PDF version of this Press Release click: Pasadena Police Department’s “Every 15 Minutes” Conducted at Maranatha High School

PASADENA, CA - Jose Gabriel Dela Rosa, 7, died this afternoon, as a result of major injuries sustained during a traffic collision which occurred on April 3, 2008.   

“Our hearts and prayers are with the Dela Rosa Family, this is such a tragic incident and it has touched the Pasadena Police & Fire Department family deeply”  Says Acting Chief Chris Vicino, “I believe we were all praying for a miracle in this little boy’s recovery.”

A fund has been established in Jose’s name at the Comerica Bank in Pasadena. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to this fund.  Checks can be sent to the Jose Gabriel Dela Rosa Fund care of Comerica Bank, 35 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 120, Pasadena, CA 91101.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Injured Child Succumbs to Injuries

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department responded to a call of a traffic collision on April 3rd at about 6:20 p.m. at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue.  One of the cars involved in the collision hit two pedestrians who were crossing northbound on Colorado Blvd. 

Patrol officers, traffic officers and fire personnel responded in about a minute.   Both victims were seriously hurt.  A seven year old boy and his father, Jose De La Rosa, 36 both visiting from out of the country, were immediately transported to a local hospital where they are currently being treated for their injuries.  The little boy is in critical condition.  Mr. De La Rosa is in fair condition.
¼br> “This is a tragic incident,” says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “The Pasadena Police Department’s Major Accident  Investigation Team (MAIT)  is conducting a detailed investigation that when,  complete will be submitted to the District Attorney’s and City Prosecutor’s office to determine what if any further action will be taken.  In the meantime, our heartfelt thoughts go out to the family.

To view this as a PDF click here.

Pasadena, CA - The Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL) is hosting its 7th Annual Golden Badge Awards dinner, a gala fundraiser to benefit this exciting youth outreach program. The Awards dinner will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Hilton Pasadena, 168 South Los Robles Avenue.

This year’s event honors Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and his wife Claire, and the float-building Lofthouse family of Phoenix Decorating Company. Both families are being honored for their commitment to Children and Youth.

PAL is a national program partnering cops and kids that began over ninety years ago in New York as the Police Athletic League. Pasadena PAL was established in the summer of 1997 and has served over 3,200 children and teenagers with its athletic, arts and after-school programs. The Pasadena PAL emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships between the youth of Pasadena and the City’s police officers. A foundation of strong values, teamwork, honesty and personal accountability is part of what is taught by the Pasadena PAL officers both through lesson and example. “This program is a critical component to the Pasadena Police Department’s crime prevention efforts,” says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino. Through PAL, we keep kids safe during the times of day when they are most vulnerable and we are able to provide exposure to and opportunities for activities that supplement their life skills.”

The PAL Golden Badge Awards reception begins at 5:30pm, with dinner and a live auction to follow at 7pm. Reservations are required. For more information about the event, please contact the Event Coordinator, Ms. Stephanie Garman, at (818) 787-8742. For more information on the PAL program and student enrollment, please contact Corporal Mark Lang at (626) 744-7655.

To view the PDF version of this media release, click:Two Familes Honored for Commitment to Childrens’ Lives

PASADENA, CA - On April 2, 2008 the Pasadena Police Department will graduate the fourth class of the Citizen’s Police Academy-Teen Edition (Teen Academy).  The ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Brookside Club House, 1133 Rosemont Ave., in Pasadena.

Forty-seven Pasadena area teens participated in the 8-session academy that began in early February.  The academy provided the youth with an overview of the operations of the department which included touring the police facility, learning how the K-9 officer works with his/her partner dog, how evidence is collected and processed, how 9-1-1 dispatchers take calls, and a ride-along to learn how field officers perform their job.  The teens also participated in hands on simulated firearms training and incident role playing.

The Teen Citizen Academy is offered to youth 14 to18 years of age each year.   “The purpose of the Teen Academy is to provide high-school age youths an opportunity to interact positively with police employees as role models and also to give them an insight into various law-enforcement careers,” says Acting Chief of Police Christopher Vicino.  “It is our intent  to allow them to experience what we do and why we do it, but most importantly it is an opportunity for us to hear from the young people in our community about the safety issues in their lives that are of concern to them.  We learn from them as much as they learn from us.”   

For more information about the Teen Academy, please contact the Community Services Section at 626 744-4551.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release, click: Teens Graduate From Police Program