Pasadena Police Prepare for Local Effects of Presidential Inauguration; Sheriff’s Go On Tactical Alert

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said earlier this week that his Department is ready to backup the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department if demonstrations resulting from Friday’s Presidential Inauguration require a mutual aid response, which would mandate the Department participate.

In Pasadena, Sanchez said, there are only two known Inauguration-related rallies and marches planned and his Department “does not anticipate any major issues with either event.”

An anti-Donald Trump protest at Memorial Park on Friday night has been publicized on various invitation websites, but with no contact number or host organization listed, making it difficult to verify. A well-publicized Women’s Rights Rally at Pasadena City Hall is planned for Saturday.

Meanwhile the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has put its deputies on Tactical Alert due to a large number of anti-President Trump protests and rallies throughout the County.

Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Darren Harris said the agency supports the public’s First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, but deputies are also prepared to enforce all laws that provide for public safety.

Harris said there will definitely be a more visible presence of deputies in uniform all over the county, including Pasadena.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have enhanced our uniformed presence for some areas of Los Angeles County and have tactical units at the ready to prevent and respond to any circumstances,” Harris said. “All deputies are maintaining a heightened state of situational awareness and remain vigilant in the protection and peace of our communities.”

Harris said theSheriff’s Department Emergency Operations Bureau has also established an incident command to actively manage the events surrounding the inauguration, monitoring Los Angeles County, and coordinating any needed resources or response. The operational period will run throughout the Presidential Inauguration process, he said.

Authorities said the public should remain vigilant and report any information about potential incidents to local law enforcement.

“If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the ‘P3 Tips’ Mobile APP or ‘P3 Mobile’ for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/,” Harris said. “If you see something of an emergency nature, please call 911.”

Chief Sanchez echoed the urging, saying of you “see something, say something.” Besides 911, Pasadena residents can also call the Police Department’s general contact number, (626) 744-4501.