Pasadena Police Report Increased Violence; Will Deploy Additional Resources

Pasadena Police Car (Photo -pasadenapoa.com)

In less than 24 hours over the weekend, Pasadena PD and Pasadena Fire Dept responded to six different calls related to overdoses.

By News Desk

As a direct result of violent incidents that took place over the weekend, the Pasadena Police Department announced they 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 in Pasadena.

According to Pasadena PD, this past weekend, they responded to:

• 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,
• A shooting of two victims at Villa Park, both of whom are in critical condition, and
• Six different calls related to overdoses.
• Additionally, there was a spike in overdose deaths, which preliminarily appear to be related to opiates, possibly fentanyl.

Detectives are investigating these incidents, and “there will be a noticeable increase in uniformed police officers patrolling the impacted areas of Pasadena,” according to a press release put out by the City.  The press release included:

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.”