PASADENA (CNS) - In an effort to combat an increase in violent crimes, Pasadena police today said they will deploy more patrols over the next several weeks.
“Assaults with deadly weapons have increased more than 40% this year as compared to last year, and this weekend there was a stabbing which resulted in a homicide, a car-to-car shooting where close to 20 bullets were fired, a person arrested with a firearm at La Pintoresca Park and a shooting of two victims at Villa Park, both of whom are in critical condition,'' said police Lt. Bll Grisafe.
The stabbing happened about 8:15 p.m. Friday in the 100 block of East Orange Grove Boulevard, and a suspect was arrested, police said. The fatally wounded man's name was withheld, pending notification of relatives.
“Additionally, there was a spike in overdose deaths which preliminarily appear to be related to opiates, possibly fentanyl,'' Grisafe said.
“Detectives are actively investigating the incidents from this weekend and there will be a noticeable increase in uniformed police officers patrolling the impacted areas of Pasadena,'' Grisafe said.
Officers have recovered more than 200 firearms this year, and there has been an increase in gang activity and gang violence, which had been declining, said police Chief John E. Perez.
“The city of Pasadena continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to both the local economy and to issues of mental health,'' Perez said.
“Unfortunately, these issues seem to be having a direct effect on the level of violence in recent months,'' Perez said. “This increased activity cannot continue and the Pasadena Police Department will deploy additional patrol officers to combat and prevent any further acts of violence.''
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