Officials Share Safety Messages for New Year’s Day

Representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, California Highway Patrol, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, the Pasadena Fire Department, and the Pasadena Police Department shared the same timely messages Thursday at a City Hall Rose Parade press conference Thursday morning—dress warm, don’t bring your pets, don’t light fires, and leave your couches in your living rooms.

Jesse Baker of the U.S. Secret Service said that the department is working closely with the Pasadena Police Department and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to ensure security for the New Year’s Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl game.

Pasadena Fire Department Chief Bertral Washington reminded paradegoers audience to dress in layers, and that only professional style-small barbeques would be allowed on the parade route and must be at least one foot off the ground.

“Leave your pets at home,” added the Chief. “New Year’s Day can be stressful for them.”

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez said that the department has not identified any active threats for New Year’s Day, but that they are “always looking, every day.”

Enhanced security measures will be in effect on the parade route. Pasadena police officers will resolve problems quickly and remove from the scene anyone violating the law or disturbing the peace. Also, police canine teams will be patrolling Colorado Boulevard.

The Pasadena Police Department, supported by the Tournament of Roses Association and City Officials, will be closing the Rose Parade route early to vehicular traffic to enhance public safety measures. Route closures will take effect beginning at 10 p.m. on December 31 through 2 p.m. on January 1. along Colorado Blvd., from Orange Grove Blvd. to Sierra Madre Blvd., and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma St.