Pasadena Police Beef Up Patrols in Response to Recent Violence

The Pasadena Police Department is increasing patrols over the next few weeks in response to a violent weekend that included a fatal stabbing and two shootings, officials said.

The public can expect to see a “noticeable increase” in officers out on the streets, the department said in a written statement.

“Assaults with deadly weapons have increased more than 40 percent this year as compared to last year and this weekend there was a stabbing which resulted in a homicide, a car-to-car shooting where close to 20 bullets were fired, a person arrested with a firearm at La Pintoresca Park and a shooting of two victims at Villa Parke, both who are in critical condition,” according to the statement.

During the extra enforcement period, “Officers will not only attempt to locate and arrest those individuals responsible for the recent criminal activity but expect to prevent additional acts of violence through the enforcement of all applicable laws,” the statement said.

A drive-by shooting at Villa Parke on Sunday left a 14-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man critically wounded.

A car came under a volley of gunfire during the early-morning hours Saturday at Raymond Avenue and Hammond Street, according to Lt. Anthony Russo. The shooting caused the car to crash and two people were seen running away. No victims were found.

A man died following a stabbing in the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy at 20 E. Orange Grove Blvd. on Friday night, police said. A suspect was arrested nearby. Neither the victim’s identity nor the suspect’s identity had been released Monday.

The upward trend in violence “is very concerning to the Pasadena Police Department and the City’s leaders,” the statement continued. “Officers have already recovered more than 200 firearms this year and there have been close to 30 reported shootings during the same time period, the majority of which are from car-to-car. Additionally, the Police Department has noted an increase in gang activity and gang violence, which over the last several years, was on the decline.”

In addition to the violence, seven people overdosed on suspected fentanyl in six separate incidents throughout the city during a 24-hour period on Friday and Saturday, officials said.

Police Chief John Perez said the violence would not be tolerated.

“While the country addresses the recent demands for change to the socio-economic issues, the city of Pasadena continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to both the local economy and to issues of mental health,” he said.

“Unfortunately, these issues seem to be having a direct effect on the level of violence in recent months. This increased activity cannot continue and the Pasadena Police Department will deploy additional patrol officers to combat and prevent any further acts of violence.”

Anyone with information regarding any of the ongoing investigations can reach Pasadena police at (626) 744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.