Pasadena Police: Gun Seizures, Shootings Down But More Work Remains

Pasadena police have seen a marked reduction in the number of guns and shootings so far this year.

“We have seen a 33% decrease in gun seizures compared to 2021 YTD and a 26% decrease in confirmed shootings compared to latest year.  The violence reduction efforts, whether it be the additional resources that are being deployed, new technology such as ShotSpotter, the tireless work of both officers and detectives or the arrests of several key individuals responsible for the shootings, gun violence is decreasing,” Lt. William Grisafe told Pasadena Now on Wednesday.

Earlier this year the Department rolled out ShotSpotter, an automated system which uses sensors to triangulate the locations of gunshots it records, in real time, allowing police to respond faster to the exact crime scene when shots are fired.

So far this year, police have confiscated 59 handguns, including 21 weapons in March, including 14 pistols, three assault rifles and four shotguns.

“We know there is more to be done, but we are moving in the right direction,” Grisafe said.

On March 7, Pasadena police officers on patrol, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple vehicle code violations. patrol officers recognized the driver as a known Pasadena gang member on active parole. The driver admitted to

having a firearm in his vehicle. The suspect was arrested without incident.

Two days later, Pasadena police Officers patrolling the area of Fair Oaks Avenue and Painter Street due to recent gun violence. attempted to make contact with a subject that fled on foot.

A firearm dropped from the subject’s possession. The suspect tried to retrieve the firearm, however he was detained prior to getting hold of the firearm.

He was arrested for firearms violations.

On March 12, police officers on an  unrelated call in the 200 block of East Orange Grove Boulevard walked past a vehicle parked along the curb and noticed a handgun on the passenger seat. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot when approach by officers. Officers eventually took possession of the unregistered firearm. The investigation is ongoing.

Police recovered a loaded ghost gun on March 29 when police officers responded to the 800 block of Wright Avenue regarding a man brandishing a firearm from inside a parked vehicle. When officers arrived, the victim walked away and a vehicle carrying the suspect, along with another passenger, drove away. Officers were able to locate and stop the fleeing vehicle and a search was conducted.

Further investigation revealed the suspect was a convicted felon. The other passenger was arrested for possession of narcotics as well as interfering with a police investigation.

Police departments around the country dealing with the proliferation of ghost guns on local streets got some help when President Joe Biden announced new regulations on the unserialized weapons.

Ghost guns require anyone purchasing a gun kit to undergo a background check, which is required for other kinds of firearm purchases.

Kit manufacturers will also be required to include a serial number on the components that make up the weapon, so the eventual firearm can be traced.

Firearm dealers will be required to add serial numbers to already-assembled ghost guns they come across.

“It’s no longer a ghost,” Biden said in the Rose Garden on Monday. “It has a return address. And it’s going to help save lives, reduce crime and get more criminals off the streets.”