Police Chief Releases Statement: Recent Protests, Subsequent Arrests and Rumors

[Editor’s Note: Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez released the following statement Sunday in connection with an incident which occurred near La Pintoresca Park on Saturday, August 29]

I thought it would be helpful to provide a recap of the recent protests and subsequent arrests related to the actions of Jasmine Richards and several protesters over the past few days. There has been some misinformation concerning the conduct of Pasadena Police Officers associated with these incidents.

On August 29, approximately ten to twenty protesters gathered at La Pintoresca Park to demonstrate against “the police” and draw attention to community-police relations. The protestors marched through the park and on surrounding streets, and returned to La Pintoresca Park without incident or police contact (the protest was promoted through Jasmine Richard’s public posting on Facebook).

During the same timeframe and unrelated to the protest, Benita Escoe (Female Black, 20, Pasadena resident) allegedly entered a restaurant in the 1300 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue and obtained food; however, she did not have enough money to pay. Escoe was confronted by people inside the restaurant regarding her lack of payment. Escoe allegedly punched & kicked the victims, fled the restaurant, and joined the protestors in La Pintoresca Park. Pasadena Police officers arrived at the restaurant and talked to the victims, who were desirous of prosecution. The victims identified Escoe and indicated she was attempting to blend into the group of protesters in the park.

Rather than making an immediate arrest (which would have likely antagonized the protestors) Pasadena Police officers made a wise tactical decision to monitor Escoe’s activities, hoping she would eventually disengage from the protestors. Approximately 30 minutes later, Escoe walked out of the park and southbound on Raymond Avenue. Pasadena Police officers contacted Escoe when she was away from the protestors and advised her that she was under arrest for the assault at the restaurant. Escoe physically resisted the officers’ efforts to arrest (handcuff) her by making herself rigid, which drew the attention of the demonstrators still in the park.

Jasmine Richards and several protestors ran to the location where Pasadena Police officers were still in the process of handcuffing Escoe. They deliberately interjected themselves into the arrest procedures attempting to free Escoe from police custody. A portion of their actions were publicly shared on a video (unknown provider) which was published this week by Pasadena NOW, http://www.pasadena.buzz/main/breaking-police-arrest-black-lives-matter-pasadena-organizer-jasmine-richards/

Richards and others grabbed ahold of Escoe and attempted to pull her away from police officers on multiple occasions. As depicted in the public video, officers formed two protective circles to prevent the lynching. Richards and others were hostile, used obscene language, and relentlessly taunted the officers. Several officers responded to assist and were needed to manage the crowd. Contrary to the suspects’ and protestors’ actions, Pasadena Police officers remained non-confrontational and very professional (the events were videoed by Pasadena Police personnel).

Escoe was ultimately placed in the rear seat of a marked police unit; however, when officers attempted to leave the area, their path was blocked by Richards, who moved from the sidewalk to the middle of the street. Richards began yelling for other protestors to join her, which they did. The group of protestors blocking the path of the police car included 11 & 12 year-old bothers (both Male Blacks) and other minors.

Richards and the suspects continued to block the path of the officers while yelling, cursing, and threatening them. At one point, the 11 & 12 year-old brothers stood directly beside a police car and the eleven year-old kicked the side of a police unit. Some officers exited their vehicles and cleared a path to enable all units to eventually leave the area. Escoe was transported to the Pasadena jail and booked for the assault & battery on the victims from the restaurant.

It is noteworthy that Pasadena Police officers did not use any categorical force to repel the protestors even though Richards and others deliberately interfered with the arrest. A tactical decision was made not to arrest any suspects at the time of the incident in part due to the capacity of our on-duty resources and (primarily) to de-escalate the situation. I support the decision and believe it was prudent given the totality of the circumstances. Over the next few days, Pasadena Police officers reviewed numerous videos of the incident in an effort to identify the involved protestors.

On Sunday, August ­­­­­­­30, Police officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) observed one of the minor suspects in La Pintoresca Park and detained him. The 11 year-old male was transported to the Pasadena Police Station and placed in the juvenile detention area. His mother was notified and responded to the police station where she was provided with the circumstances of his actions at the protest. The young man was subsequently issued a citation for WIC 602 / 148(a) P.C. and released to the custody of his mother. The minor’s mother did not complain or raise issues with the conduct of my officers.

On September 2, Pasadena Police Park Safety Officers were conducting routine foot patrols in La Pintoresca Park when they were approached by Richards, who immediately began yelling at them (Park Safety officers are civilian employees) using obscene language and telling them to “… get the F— out of our park.” The Park Safety officers walked a safe distance away and radioed for assistance. Special Enforcement Officers responded and contacted Richards, who was also belligerent with them. Officers advised Richards that she was under arrest (for her actions on Saturday, August 29). Richards immediately attempted to flee the area; however, she was detained and taken into custody without force. Richards was transported to the Pasadena jail and booked for 405 (a) P.C (Attempted taking of a person in lawful police custody, a felony) and other related charges. Her bail was set at $125,000.

On September 3, six additional suspects were located at La Pintoresca Park and arrested for their criminal conduct on August 29th (Interfering with the official duties of a police officer). Three of the protestors were minors (13, 15, and 16) and three adults. No force was used to affect any of the six arrests and they were transported to the police station. The minors were placed in the juvenile detention area, parents were notified, and the minors were issued citations for 602 WIC / 148 (a) PC. The remaining three adult suspects were also issued citations for PC 148(a) and released.

On September 4, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one felony charge (PC 405(a) Lynching) against Richards. She was arraigned in the Pasadena Court House and is in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Richards is currently awaiting trial on another case resulting from an unlawful protest in Old Pasadena earlier this year. The Pasadena City Prosecutor’s Office will review the misdemeanor cases in the near future; however, the actions of the minors will be evaluated by the Juvenile Courts.

I want to commend the Pasadena Police officers, supervisors, and executives involved this incident. The officers were proactive, prudent, and professional. There were no categorical uses of force to affect any of the arrests over the past few days related to the suspects’ criminal actions or the civil unrest. Proactive steps were taken to ensure PPD personnel documented the incident (arrest report and videotaping), which allowed us to identify those persons responsible for interfering with the lawful duties of a police officer and for the attempting to free Escoe from police custody.

It is concerning that Richards enlisted the participation of young people to promote an anti-police message in a criminal manner. Just as concerning is her influence at La Pintoresca Park, a public gathering place. Many families from the surrounding area enjoy the varied programs, educational opportunities, library, and other activities offered by city staff. The fact that Richards would “claim” the park in the name of protestors, confront police personnel who are walking in the park keeping it safe and enjoyable for all, and threaten police civilians is completely unacceptable.

I support, and the Pasadena Police Department will continue to defend, the Constitutional right to assemble and freedom of speech. What the police department and City government cannot ignore is the anti-social and illegal behavior that is dangerous and intimidates community members who may perceive the park as unsafe for children, family, and friends. I strongly support the efforts of my officers to legally and proactively arrest those persons whose actions are illegal and therefore endanger the safety of Pasadena Police officers, Park Safety personnel, and the public.