South Pasadena Police Department

RIP Officer Ornelas, our thoughts are with the CHP and his family Repost from @californiahighwaypatrol using @RepostRegramApp - On November 23, 2020, at approximately 7:05 pm, Officer Ornelas was riding his departmental motorcycle when a motorist pulled from the right shoulder to make a U-turn directly in his path. Officer Ornelas’ motorcycle struck the other vehicle, causing him to be thrown from his motorcycle. Officer Ornelas was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital in ...Lancaster. Despite significant life-saving efforts by medical personnel, on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, Officer Ornelas succumbed to his injuries. Officer Ornelas is survived by his wife, mother, father, brother, and sister. Officer Ornelas was a member of the Department for four years. #officerornelas #21685 #californiahighwaypatrol #chp #eow @chpantelopevalley

With the holiday season upon us, the South Pasadena Police Department remind its residents of the importance of staying alert and vigilant. As pleasurable activities such as shopping and traveling increase during this time of year, so too does the potential for crimes to occur. Recent incidents highlight the need for the Police Department and community to work together to avoid confusion during tense and uncertain situations. We believe a team approach to public safety concer...ns can be extremely effective. The Police Department has not only increased patrols around areas of traditional concern including vacant properties, businesses, and residential neighborhoods, but it continues to share informational resources and monitor activities with neighboring agencies in order to prepare for potential crime trends. Circulating relevant information considered pertinent to our residents continues to be accomplished via our Neighborhood Watch Program and social media assets. We ask our residents to remain aware and attentive to their surroundings and report any suspicious activity. These efforts serve to improve coordination and response to our crime prevention efforts throughout the year.

On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at about 10:12 pm, South Pasadena police officers responded to the 1900 block of Alpha Avenue on reports of a skateboarder down in the parkway. When officers arrived they found residents performing CPR on the 23-year-old male, who was unconscious and not breathing. Officers took over CPR until paramedics arrived. The male was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation determined the victim was vis...iting from Florida and decided to skateboard down the hill without a helmet. He lost control of the skateboard through a curve in the roadway, struck the curb, went airborne, and landed in the parkway. This unfortunate incident is a stark reminder that skateboarders should always wear a helmet and be aware of the roadway conditions and their skateboarding limitations.

We are grateful for days like these and for the opportunity to serve the public. The men and women of the South Pasadena Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving #sppd #police #thanksgiving

Spark of Love 2020 The South Pasadena Fire Department, ABC7, Toys for Tots, and Southern California firefighters are celebrating the 28th year of the Spark of Love Toy Drive! Firefighters and Marines will be joining together to collect and distribute new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, and Riverside counties. Over the years, the Spark of Love Toy Drive has successfully collected and dist...ributed more than nine million toys. Our goal is to exceed last year’s collection of over 500,000 toys. The 2020 Spark of Love Toy Drive will run now through Thursday, December 24, 2020. Toy Donations Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this year’s Spark of Love Toy Drive is transitioning to a virtual platform and accepting donations through an online partnership with MyRegistry.com. As a result, supporting the Spark of Love Toy Drive has never been quicker, easier, or safer! https://www.myregistry.com//spark-of-love-toy-driv/2624555 Unfortunately this year we can not accept toys dropped off at the fire station. When making donations please use the online format. For questions about the Spark of Love Toy Drive, please contact Fire Engineer Justin Miller at (626)403-7300 or via e-mail at [email protected]

The South Pasadena Police Department has seen a rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicle exhaust systems. As a means to increase security, we suggest these following solutions. Always park in well-lit areas when possible. If you have a garage, park inside and keep the door closed when the vehicle is not in use. Park close to a building entrance or to the nearest access road when parking in a public lot. The increased pedestrian traffic in these areas may deter t...hefts. Security devices are available that attach to the converter making it harder to steal. Having the converter welded in place also makes it more difficult to remove. If you have a security system on your car, calibrate it so vibration sets it off. This ensures that the alarm activates if a thief tries to saw off the converter. Video surveillance around your garage or driveway is also useful if you have the budget for it. Engrave your VIN number onto your catalytic converter to make it easier to identify in case it does get stolen. We are asking for the public’s help in providing any information about these crimes or the suspects. Please contact the South Pasadena Police Department at 626-403-7270 if you have specific information regarding a recent catalytic converter theft.

In 2017, Congress designated October 28th as National First Responders Day. We want to acknowledge our officers, fire department and communications personnel for all that they do #sppd #police #fire #dispatch #firstresponderday

Congratulations to our administrative secretary, Esther Delinko, who retires with over 40 years of service to our city. Esther has served through 14 police chiefs and was a fixture at the station for generations of employees. We will miss you and wish you a happy and healthy retirement #sppd #police #secretary #40years #service

Jordan is an avid runner and a huge supporter of the military and law enforcement. This morning, he walked from @pasadenapd to our station and presented an appreciation plaque to our day watch, something he has been doing for all the local police departments. Thank you for your all support Jordan, it means everything #sppd #police

Crime knows no jurisdiction. This drunk driver crashed into a parked vehicle in @northeastarea ‘s area, fled the scene, drove through our city and was stopped by @sanmarinopoa and our units. It was very fortunate that the driver did not hurt anyone #sppd #smpd #lapd #police #dui #arrest

During the month of October, SPPD personnel are authorized to wear our pink patches in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you want to support the fight to end breast cancer, you can purchase our patch for ten dollars at the front lobby. Please bring exact change only. All proceeds go toward breast cancer research #sppd #police #pinkpatch #breastcancerawareness #endcancer

Congratulations to Police Assistants Lee and Velasquez, who recently completed the dispatch training program. With the help of their communications trainers, they did very well navigating the challenges this year has brought and we’re excited to have them on the team #sppd #police #dispatch #thingoldline #911

SOUTH PASADENA, CA On Friday, September 18, 2020, at approximately 11:45 pm, South Pasadena police officers were called to the 1000 block of Mission Street for a report of a commercial burglary. Officers arrived on scene and determined that a male suspect had shattered a storefront window, reaching inside and rummaging for property. Several witnesses saw the suspect and chased him away. After a short search by officers, a male matching the description of the suspect was ...located walking in the 300 Block of Monterey Road, where he was detained. Witnesses were able to positively identify the suspect and he was arrested for P.C. 459, Commercial Burglary. The suspect was identified as twenty-two-year-old Cristian Contreras, a resident of Baldwin Park. At this time, the property loss is unknown. If you have any information regarding this incident, please call SPPD Detectives at 626-403-7280.

Hey, did you know it’s #nationalpolicewomanday ?? We want to acknowledge our own Officer Valdez and Officer Roppo and all the ladies in uniform who serve their communities day in and day out #sppd #policewomen

To honor the first responders who climbed the WTC Towers nineteen years ago to save lives, Officer Valdez, Officer Smith, Police Assistant Pacheco and Cadet Godoy walked the equivalent of 110 floors on the SPFD Tower. They did it after their patrol shift and in full uniform, great job by everyone! #sppd #wtc #nypd #fdny #papd #911 #neverforget

Our Police and Fire personnel held a poignant ceremony in remembrance of those who lost their lives on this day nineteen years ago. We will never forget their sacrifice #911 #memorial #neverforget

Beat the heat this weekend!

Officers were among the first customers to patronize a newly opened Starbucks in the city. This is the first store to occupy a brand new space that will house other businesses in the city center. We will always support businesses that open locally in South Pasadena #sppd #police #economy #business #coffee