PASADENA, Calif.—As a result of the violent incidents that took place over the weekend, the Pasadena Police Department will be deploying additional resources over the next several weeks to prevent further violence. Assaults with deadly weapons have increased more than 40% this year as compared to last year. This past weekend, there was a stabbing which resulted in a homicide; a car-to-car shooting where close to twenty bullets were fired; a person arrested with a firearm at La Pintoresca Park; and a shooting of two victims at Villa Park, both of whom are in critical condition. Additionally, there was a spike in overdose deaths, which preliminarily appear to be related to opiates, possibly fentanyl.
Detectives are actively investigating these incidents, and there will be a noticeable increase in uniformed police officers patrolling the impacted areas of Pasadena. Officers will not only attempt to locate and arrest those individuals responsible for the recent criminal activity, but also expect to prevent additional acts of violence through the enforcement of all applicable laws.
This trend of increased violence in Pasadena is very concerning to the police department and City leaders. Officers have already recovered more than 200 firearms this year, and there have been close to thirty reported shootings during the same time period, the majority of which are from car-to-car. Additionally, the Pasadena Police Department has noted an increase in gang activity and gang violence, which was on the decline over the last several years.
Police Chief John E. Perez stated, “While the country addresses the recent demands for change to the socioeconomic issues, the City of Pasadena continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to both the local economy and to issues of mental health. Unfortunately, these issues seem to be having a direct effect on the level of violence in recent months. This increased activity cannot continue and the Pasadena Police Department will deploy additional patrol officers to combat and prevent any further acts of violence.”
Anyone with information about any of these cases is asked to call Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241. To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477); use the P3 Tips mobile app; or use the website lacrimestoppers.org.
Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at www.cityofpasadena.net; follow us on Twitter at @PasadenaGov, and Instagram and Facebook at @CityOfPasadena; or call the Citizen Service Center, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 744-7311.