Community News

Police Chief: South Pasadena Property Crimes Are on the Increase

In a footnote to the week's crime report, Chief Payne delivered a followup on recent developments in the State’s penal system

Published: Saturday, October 15, 2011 | 2:25 PM

South Pasadena Chief of Police Joseph Payne reports the past week saw a “surge” in property crimes in South Pasadena, ranging from stolen automobiles to residential burglaries.

Four Honda sedans were stolen in the area of 1700 block Grevelia Street and cross streets of Brent and Park Avenues. Police say residents should keep in mind that Hondas are the most popular car theft model since the parts are easily interchangeable and command the highest price in the resale market. A recovered stolen vehicle from the same area may shed some clues, authorities say.

“It is not unusual to find a recovered stolen auto in the vicinity of other stolen autos. Crime scene investigators are analyzing the recovered vehicle for clues,” Chief Payne said in an emailed statement.

During the same period, eleven auto burglaries were reported during mostly personal possessions and electronics were taken. Entry was made by smashing out a car window. Police say that vehicle owners should remove personal property and electronics from their vehicles; computers, cell phones, and GPS devices are the most popular targets, they say.

Residential burglary continues to be a problem but not to the same degree. Police say residents should remember that property crimes are among the most common but also more easily prevented, and that alarm systems, securing of doors and windows, alert neighbors, and even owning a dog can reduce the frequency of these offenses.

In a footnote to the week’s crime report, Chief Payne delivered a followup on recent developments in the State’s penal system.

“The county jails have been quietly releasing hundreds of property crime offenders to make room for thousands of prisoners transferred from the state prison system,” Payne said in his email “Since early March, county sheriffs have been releasing property offenders and other hardened criminals from county jails to make room for the more dangerous state prison inmates to comply with the prison realignment plan. The bill was signed by Governor Brown in order to save California billions of dollars in the state prison system. Because of jail overcrowding in the county jails, sheriffs have been making room for the tens of thousands of prisoners who will come from the state prisons or avoid prison altogether in favor of lighter county jail sentences.”

“We are already seeing a sharp increase of parolees and probationers that we contact in the field. These are property and drug offenders as well as gang members that the state considers low-level offenders. The surrounding communities of Los Angeles , Pasadena and Alhambra are bracing for a huge influx of early releases. Since 90% of the Part One crime offenses in South Pasadena are property crimes and these criminals pay no attention to city borders, we are seeing crimes of this nature on the upswing as these offenders are released into the community. Fear of jail time, lengthy sentences or return to prison will no longer be a deterrent.”

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