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Pasadena Crime Up 8% This Year

Police release detailed monthly statistics, announce increased enforcement at La Pintoresca Park

Published on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 | 2:10 pm
 

Auto thefts and car burglaries were up significantly in Pasadena during the first half of 2020, while robberies and home break-ins were down, according to data released by the Pasadena Police Department this week.

Police this week also announced they were to begin an enforcement crackdown Tuesday night at La Pintoresca Park in response to numerous complaints of illegal activity going on there, Lt. William Grisafe said.

The latest available date shows that vehicle burglaries were up 58 percent in the first six months of 2020, compared with the first six months of 2019. Car thefts were up by 39 percent and commercial burglaries increased by 3 percent.

With the pandemic and associated restrictions, “People aren’t driving their cars as much,” Grisafe said. Vehicles left long unoccupied may pose tempting targets for opportunistic thieves.

But residential burglaries decreased by 28 percent, which Grisafe said is likely at least partly due to pandemic-related stay-at-home orders over recent months.

Burglaries listed as “other,” such as those from garages, parking structures, unlocked vehicles, storage units, as well as bicycle thefts and petty thefts from businesses, climbed by 45 percent, according to police.

With the COVID-19 pandemic wearing on many, it’s still vital that people pay attention to their surroundings and keep valuables out of sight, and not left unattended in a vehicle, to help prevent falling victim to crime, Lt. Jason Clawson said.

Domestic violence calls were down by 15 percent, prompting worries that amid stay-at-home orders, incidents may be going unreported. “That is a concern we have,” Grisafe said.

Rapes increased by 67 percent, with 25 such crimes this year. That represents 10 more rapes than were reported at the same time last year.

Incidents of robbery dropped by 5 percent, data shows. Assaults with deadly weapons rose by 7 percent and simply assaults rose by 3%.

Meanwhile. in an effort to combat crime at a recent trouble spot in Pasadena, police announced that they intended to begin beefing up patrols at La Pintoresca Park in response to complaints regarding drug use, drinking and inappropriate sexual activity, according to Grisafe.

“Residents and community members have been afraid to use La Pintoresca Park because of other’s inappropriate and unlawful acts while in the park,” Pasadena Police Chief John Perez said.

“It is unfair that community members, who have been limited from leaving their homes because of the recent safer at home orders, do not feel safe enjoying the city park because of illegal activities such as alcohol consumption, drug use, public acts of sex and other crimes,” he said.

“It is my responsibility to bring back a safer environment where families and community members feel comfortable using this valuable city resource. The Police Department will be aggressively enforcing the park both during the daytime and after the park has been closed.”

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