City Council Approves Violent Crime Reward Fund

The City Council on Monday approved the creation of a reward fund for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of people responsible for recent violent crimes, including a shooting at Villa-Parke that left two men dead and a third man in critical condition.

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez will establish operating guidelines for a $10,000 revolving reward fund, which will be subject to review by the city’s senior internal auditor and approval by City Manager Steve Mermell.

Rewards will be offered on a case-by-case basis, as determined by Perez, for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of any person or persons whose willful misconduct results in injury or death to others.

Pasadena was plagued by violent incidents in 2020. More than 20 people were shot in more than 50 gun-related incidents. 

In most cases, someone is aware of details in a crime, Cmdr. Jason Clawson told the City Council on Monday. Officials are hoping that a reward will encourage people to come forward. 

Earlier this month, Cristino Medellin Avila, 51, and Aaron Perez Flores, 40, were killed in a shooting at Villa-Parke.

The victims were sitting on a park bench when they came under fire, police said in a written statement. The attacker or attackers are believed to have fled the area in a dark-colored sedan.

No further suspect description was available, nor were further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting.

According to police, the victims did not have gang ties.

Councilmember Tyron Hampton called on the city to increase the reward to encourage people to come forward.

“What people are faced with in these situations is they know people who have done these things,” Hampton said. “They probably know people that have done similar things, so to go and rat out their friends they need enough money to get out of Dodge so they don’t come back and get you. If I was in that situation, $10,000 would not make me say I am going to turn this person in. One hundred thousand dollars would allow me to get out of the situation I am in and move.”

The city has used the witness protection program in the past to aid local residents who provided evidence to police. The reward could be raised on a case-by-case basis, according to Mermell. 

“If it’s effective, it could save quite a bit in police resources,” said Mayor Victor Gordo.