Pasadena Police Foundation to Host Annual Chief’s Breakfast at the Rose Bowl

Pasadena police K-9 officers pose with their four-legged partners in front of the Rose Bowl in an undated photo provided by the Pasadena Police Foundation.

The Pasadena Police Foundation will be hosting its annual Chief’s Breakfast at the Rose Bowl next month as the longstanding tradition returns to an in-person format after being forced online due to the pandemic last year, organizers said.

The fundraiser is to take place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 12 at the Rose Bowl’s Court of Champions, according to Police Foundation President Gil Mares.

It will be the last attended by Pasadena Police Chief John Perez, who has announced plans to retire early next year.

“The event is intended to give residents, members of the business and nonprofit community, and friends an opportunity to hear about the current goals and accomplishments of the Pasadena Police Department,” the Police Foundation said in a written statement.

“The Police Foundation’s Annual Breakfast is also an opportunity to see first-hand how the Foundation fulfills its mission to support the planning, development, and implementation of programs and activities of the Department and vital programs, such as the Kids Safety Academy, the Junior Public Safety Academy, the Explorer Program, the Police K-9 Unit and resources to enhance community safety.”

Additionally, “we will be honoring Chief John Perez for his years of service as he heads into retirement,” the statement said.

Continuing efforts started last year, at the suggestion of Perez, the Pasadena Police Foundation will be using funds collected through the event to invest in local kids and teens. Last year’s online event raised over $30,000, which was used to help support the technical needs of the Pasadena Unified School District amid pandemic-prompted remote learning.

“The global pandemic has changed all of our lives and has had a significant impact on the education of local children. The pandemic created new challenges with remote learning and the need for new technology in the classrooms,” according to the Police Foundation statement.

“Education is one of the most important factors in determining the wellbeing of our local community and we hope through our efforts this year to continue to ensure that our local youth are provided the best opportunities to succeed,” the statement added.

The breakfast will be emceed by Virgin Galactic Communications Specialist Jeff Michael, organizers said.

Speakers and dignitaries were to include Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and a host of law enforcement and fire officials from throughout the region, including Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin and Capt. Mark Reyes of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Temple Station, Mares said. A video message from Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, was also planned.

An auction will include items such as ride-alongs in police cars, helicopter ride-alongs, tickets to the Huntington Library, and tickets to the Pasadena Playhouse, with more to be added later, Police Foundation representatives said.

Ticket prices for the Chief’s Breakfast start at $65 for individuals.

More information, including a link to purchase tickets, can be found online at https://www.betterunite.com/PasadenaPoliceFoundation-pasadenapolicefoundationsannualchiefsbreakfast2021.

More information on the Pasadena Police Foundation is available on the organization’s website at pasadenapolicefoundation.org.

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