Pasadena Curfew Overnight Ends Without Incident, Could Be Ordered Again Tonight

A state of local emergency was declared in Pasadena on Saturday evening and a citywide curfew ordered for Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The declaration and curfew order made by City Manager Steve Mermell were prompted by unrest in Los Angeles and other nearby communities and came as a demonstration grew in Old Pasadena. That protest was peaceful.

The curfew expired at 5:30 a.m. this morning without, Pasadena police said, any incidents related to protests against the death of George Floyd.

A statement from the city said that the City of Pasadena decided to implement the curfew “as a result of actions that have taken place in neighboring cities.”

“Any person found outside after that time is subject to arrest by the Pasadena Police Department and Prosecution by the Pasadena City Prosecutor’s Office,” the city statement said.

Police said no curfew violation arrests were made.

“On behalf of the City Council, I support this proactive but necessary decision out of an abundance of caution for our community. We thank our residents and businesses for their patience and please stay tuned to official city announcements and news media for any updates,” said Mayor Terry Tornek.

In his Declaration of Local Emergency, City Manager Steve Mermell pointed to the “widespread arson, looting, assaults, vandalism and rioting in the adjacent City of Los Angeles, and other nearby cities since May 30, 2020, and continuing to the present.”

“The above conditions constitute the existence of conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City of Pasadena, which conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City of Pasadena and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat,” Mermell’s declaration read.

Mermell requested “that the Governor declare the City of Pasadena to be in a state of emergency.” He did not request deployment of the National Guard in Pasadena.

Tornek pointed to the important role of nonviolent demonstrations in American society.

“Peaceful protest is a hallowed right in our country and George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis should be protested. However, when protest is transformed to lawlessness, violence and destruction, we must intervene,” Tornek said.

“I am confident that the residents of Pasadena understand the distinction and will support our public safety officers enforcing the law and protecting our City. We’ve all had some tough times lately, let’s pull together and keep each other safe.”