PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Section conducts a teen education program called “Every 15 Minutes” once a year for one of the local high school.  This year’s two day drinking and driving awareness program which is directed towards teenage drivers will begin in front of PHS on April 2nd at 8:00 am.  A realistic fatal collision will be staged in front of the school on Sierra Madre Blvd., where students will be directed to the collision scene and will view fellow students involved in the mock fatality collision. 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 along with the Pasadena Fire Department, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office and Huntington Memorial Hospital will also participate in this major demonstration of exposing teens to the consequences of making the decision to drink and drive. 

“A teenager’s decision to drink and drive has been proven time and time again to have devastating implications on countless teenagers and their families. If this awareness program can touch the hearts of even a few teenagers, then lives can be saved. “Says Chief Bernard Melekian.

To view the PDF Version of this Press Release click: Pasadena Police Department Conducts “Every 15 Minutes Program”

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Police Department will conduct a DUI enforcement checkpoint on Friday, March 27, 2009.  This enforcement detail will be deployed in the City of Pasadena.  The hours of operation are from 8:00 pm – 3:00 am.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“This program is an effective tool for achieving the Pasadena Police Department’s goal of reducing the number of traffic collisions or deaths resulting from drunk driving,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “The funding we, and other cities like us, receive allows us to effectively run these operations and educate the public regarding driving under the influence.”

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click Pasadena Police Department Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Check Point Detail

PASADENA, CA – On Wednesday, March 25th at 10:00 a.m., the Pasadena Armenian Police Advisory Council (PAPAC) will present Chief of Police Bernard Melekian and the Pasadena Police Department with $10,000 that was raised, specifically,  to support the California Police Chiefs Training Symposium held earlier this month.   

On February 22, 2009 the Pasadena Armenian Police Advisory Council (PAPAC) hosted a mixer fundraiser at the Pasadena Armenian Center (740 E. Washington Blvd.) in honor of  Melekian’s appointment as the 2009 CPCA President.  Over 250 people were in attendance at the 4 hour event, including elected officials, City leaders, members of the Armenian National Peace Officer’s Association, and numerous Armenian small business owners and local residents.

PAPAC is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that was started shortly before Chief Melekian came to Pasadena in 1996.  “They work as a conduit of communication between the Police Department and the Armenian community, building understanding and trust, not just of the police department, but of the City as a whole.  There are many first generation immigrants who come from places where government is feared,” says Chief Melekian.  “PAPAC has been of invaluable assistance in creating civic engagement in a community that may have felt isolated by their new environment.
Their contribution to one of the most successful training symposiums ever and to the inaugural event for the newly renovated and expanded Pasadena Convention Center is truly appreciated.”

We are happy to help our Police Department, says Hovannes Sarkissian , current president of PAPAC.  It is an honor to be able to serve our Chief and our City through our support of civic functions and events and we look forward to our continuing partnerships.”

Media is asked to arrive at no later than 9:45 and report to the Police Department Lobby where you will be escorted to the meeting where the presentation will take place.
To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Police Department Recieves $10,000 From Community Group

PASADENA, CA –   The Pasadena Police Department will participate in the 5th Annual Special Olympics “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser, benefiting the Special Olympics.  The event will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm at the Hamlet Restaurant (formally known as Hamburger Hamlet) located at 214 S. Lake Avenue in Pasadena.   Pasadena Police Department employees will team with Hamlet employees to raise funds for the Special Olympics. 

“This is but one of the many worthy organizations that the men and women of the Pasadena Police Department support every year,” says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian.  Police employees along with the Hamlet employees will be serving you dinner and drinks. 

”We all take great pride in the work we do to help others in our community.  And this ‘special’ partnership with The Special Olympics and the Hamlet Restaurant is especially fun. The police employees work exceptionally hard under the watchful eyes of the Hamlet professionals to earn great tips, all of which are donated to the Special Olympics. It is a wonderful way for us to assist The Special Olympics and the work that they do.”

The Special Olympics is a global nonprofit organization serving 200 million people with intellectual disabilities.  

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click 5th Annual Special Olympics “Tip A Cop” Fundraiser

PASADENA, CA – The California Police Chiefs Training Symposium will officially open Tuesday morning (March 3rd) with a touching and emotional ceremony honoring California  law enforcement officers and deputies who died in the line of duty during the year of 2008.  The tribute to the officers and their families will be held in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and begins at 8:30 a.m.

Media planning to cover the event should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.

“The conference opens with this ceremony as a way to honor these nine local heroes and their families.  It is a solemn and powerful reminder of the greatest sacrifice a few have made for the many,” says Chief Melekian. 

For more information, contact Janet Pope Givens.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Tribute Held for Officers Killed in the Line of Duty