Pasadena Police Took 12 Guns off the Streets in April

Although the city of Pasadena has been impacted by the coronavirus like every other American city, the virus hasn’t hampered the Pasadena Police Department from performing its primary role of keeping the city safe.

In April there were 8,477 calls for service, including 5,805 911 emergency calls.

According to records police officers seized 13 firearms — nine pistol, two shotguns and one rifle —  during service calls.

Police also arrested three people they say are responsible for several armed, street robberies.

“Even though we were busy with COVID-19 related issues, Pasadena PD had an eventful month of April,” said Police Spokesperson William Grisafe.

Although these are just a fraction of the number of weapons that PPD has confiscated over the past year, firearms continue to present a real danger to the public.

In April there were eight incidents involving guns, including five armed robberies, four shootings in three separate incidents. There were no fatalities.

A dog was shot in one incident of animal cruelty.

In one non-violent incident, police found a gun in a vehicle during a traffic stop.

The information was released in a community briefing on Thursday.

“As your police department continues to move forward under Police Chief John Perez, the principles of the ‘Pasadena Way’ possess greater significance no matter what assignment, function, or mission an employee serves in the organization as we continue to police with compassion and best intentions,” the briefing reads.

These numbers are significantly lower than those recorded a year earlier in April of 2019 in which 28 firearms were taken off of the streets during police activity .

Pasadena still remains one of the safest cities in southern California and the Pasadena Police Chief John Perez is confident that it will remain so.

In late March while addressing concerns about the current challenges facing the city  he stated, “I know there is great uncertainty about what lies ahead for the city, state and country, ” Perez said, “But I want to reassure you our essential law enforcement will proudly answer the call of duty.”