COMPLIMENTARY COPY
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Thursday, MAY 3 - MAY 9, 2018
PASADENA COUNCIL HEARS ‘SOBERING’ RESULTS OF 2018 HOMELESS COUNT Homeless population has grown 18 percent in past year
Since 1996
Volume 22, NO. 18
Suspect Responsible For Using Shimming Device at Pasadena ATM Wanted The Pasadena Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect responsible for over $25,000 in loss. On 3-19-18 and on 3-20-18, the pictured suspect tested a shimming device (center picture). A shimming device is inserted in the ATM card slot and reads the chip from the debit card recording the debit card number. The suspect attached a small camera concealed
in a case that blends into the ATM machine beside the key pad to record the pin number (first picture). The suspect returned on 3-24-18 and 3-25-18 and installed the devices in the morning, then returned in the evening to remove them and collect the debit card information. This has resulted in a loss of over $25,000 as of this date from compromised SEE WANTED PAGE 15
Pasadena City College Superintendent Candidate Withdraws Dr. Cliff Davis, vice chancellor for advancement, student affairs and strategic planning and president at Ozarks Technical Community College System, has withdrawn his name from consideration as a candidate for president of Pasadena City College at this time. He is a finalist for president at another community college. PCC Board of Trustee
In an alarming trend, Pasadena’s homeless population is getting older. Between 2016 and 2018, there was a 65 percent increase in the number of persons over age 50 who are homeless.
Gus HERRERA gherrera@beaconmedianews.com
A
t their latest regular meeting, the Pasadena City Council heard the results from the 2018 Pasadena Homeless Count – results described as truly “sobering” by various representatives around the
dais. This year’s count, which was taken on the evening of Jan. 23 and morning of Jan. 24, revealed that the city’s homeless population grew by 18 percent over the past year - the final tally counted 677 people experiencing homelessness, as
- Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
opposed to last year’s total of 575. “This is a huge problem for the city and, really, the region,” said Mayor Terry Tornek, “[it’s a] very divisive, almost overwhelming problem … it’s the single biggest source of complaints and concerns that I get from constituents.” It is important to note that the annual count, carried out in collaboration with the non-profit Urban Initiatives, is simply intended to provide a snapshot of the city’s homeless population, as the true number fluctuates throughout the SEE HOMELESS COUNT PAGE 14
President Dr. Anthony Fellow said the community forums scheduled for Monday will be canceled and the board will meet this week to take the next steps in its search for a new superintendent-president. Current president Dr. Rajen Vurdien announced his retirement late last year. “I want to thank the entire SEE WITHDRAWS PAGE 14
Eight New Pasadena Police Officers Introduced to Council Monday After six months at the Academy and an additional six months at Pasadena Training facilities, it was time for the public to meet eight newly sworn officers and one Park Safety Specialist. On Monday night the Mayor and councilmembers were introduced to the newest
members of the Police Dept. The Pasadena Police Department, an internationally recognized proactive service-oriented department, is staffed by more than 400 personnel. SEE PHOTO OF THE EIGHT NEW OFFICERS ON PAGE 14