Public Safety Approves $1.25 Million Contract with CHP for New Year’s Day Services

While the fate of the 2021 Tournament of Roses parade remains uncertain, the Public Safety Committee has approved a contract with the state highway patrol for law enforcement on New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.

Tournament president Robert Miller said no decision on the parade will be finalized until the summer approaches.

“The decision will come in June or July,” Candy Carlson, senior manager of communications for the Tournament of Roses told Pasadena Now on Wednesday.

Police Chief John Perez told Pasadena Now there is no risk the city could lose money on the contract because the Tournament of Roses reimburses the city for the money spent on law enforcement and security.

“If no event occurs, no money is received from the promoters so we simply don’t hire or pay for any services,” Perez said.

The five-year contract, which is being requested by the Pasadena Police Department, would cost $1.25 million.

“The Department requests City Council to authorize a contract between the City of Pasadena and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), to provide supplemental law enforcement services for New Year’s activities and major events, for a period of five years not to exceed $1,250,000.”

The contract is consistent with what the city has paid the CHP in past contracts for the same services.

The CHP is one of several law enforcement agencies that aid the Pasadena Police Department during the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivities, including the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game.

Hundreds of thousands of people typically line Colorado Boulevard to watch the parade.