🚓 Racial Disparities: Pasadena & Neighbors' Police Arrests 🚓

Issue #100

Author

Pasadena Spotlight
14 Feb

❤️ In this issue of Pasadena Spotlight 

🌤️ Pasadena, CA Weather

🚓 Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Glendale Police Departments Show Racial Disparities in Arrests

🚫 Unauthorized Solicitations Target Pasadena Chamber Members

☕ Brewing Opportunity at Coffee with a Cause

🌟 Please Support Our Local Business Owners

🌞 Pasadena Water and Power Pursues 20-Year, $500 Million Solar Contract

😃 Viral Meme

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

As we step into the new day, the weather in Pasadena is mostly cloudy, with temperatures hovering around the 47°F mark. The wind is gentle, blowing at 2 mph from the east-northeast direction. The likelihood of rainfall is quite low, standing at 8%.

Morning (5am-10am):

The morning hours in Pasadena will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 47°F to 52°F. The wind will be light, coming from the east-northeast direction at 2 mph. The chance of rainfall remains low, at 8%. Dress warmly, with layers that can be easily removed as the day progresses.

Noon (11am-1pm):

The weather will gradually improve, with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures rising to 59°F. The wind will pick up slightly, blowing from the south direction at 4 mph. The likelihood of rainfall remains low, at 2%. Dress comfortably, with a light jacket or sweater for the cooler breeze.

Afternoon (2pm-5pm):

The afternoon will be mostly sunny, with temperatures reaching a high of 62°F. The wind will be light, coming from the southwest direction at 4 mph. The chance of rainfall remains low, at 1%. Dress comfortably, with a light jacket or sweater for the cooler breeze.

Evening (6pm-11pm):

The evening will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to 51°F. The wind will be light, blowing from the northwest direction at 1 mph. The likelihood of rainfall remains low, at 6%. Dress warmly, with layers that can be easily removed as the night progresses.

Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Glendale Police Departments Show Racial Disparities in Arrests

A report by the county Commission on Human Relations highlights large disparities in arrests by race in three police departments in Northeast Los Angeles County.

The report shows that Black and Latino arrest rates in the suburban cities are much higher than those for Whites and Asians.

The commission also determined that cash bail disparately impacts Black and Latino arrestees, who are more likely to be given jail time for similar offenses committed by White and Asian arrestees.

The report found that all three suburban police departments had an arrest rate of between 40 and 42 per 10,000 residents in 2011 and 2012, matching the arrest rate in the city of Los Angeles.

However, between 2011 and 2019, arrest rates diverged considerably.

In Los Angeles and South Pasadena, arrests per 10,000 fell by close to 50%, reaching 22 per 10,000 citizens in Los Angeles and 24 per 10,000 citizens in South Pasadena.

Over the same time period, the report showed, arrests per 10,000 citizens were unchanged in Glendale and increased in Pasadena to 48 per 10,000 citizens.

As a result, Glendale and Pasadena have conducted nearly twice as many arrests per resident in recent years than has the city of Los Angeles.

While arrests per resident fell in Glendale and Pasadena in 2020 and 2021 with the COVID-19 pandemic, they remained well above the arrest rates in Los Angeles and South Pasadena, the report says.

Unauthorized Solicitations Target Pasadena Chamber Members

Code on computer monitor

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has issued a warning to its members about unauthorized solicitations, as some members have reported receiving unsolicited emails offering to sell a list of Chamber member companies with contact information.

The Chamber emphasizes that it never sells or provides contact information of its members in bulk and does not give out email addresses in bulk.

Members with concerns about solicitations are encouraged to contact the Chamber office for assistance.

Brewing Opportunity at Coffee with a Cause

In the heart of Pasadena, nestled on East Colorado Boulevard, lies a unique blend of coffee and compassion. Coffee with a Cause, a non-profit organization, has been nurturing the city's transitional age youth for over a decade.

Founded by Dan Davidson, a former local pastor, the organization uses its café, Rosebud Coffee, as a hub for training and internships.

Davidson's passion for aiding youth in need has transformed from a small project at his church's coffee cart into a full-fledged non-profit that served over 20 youth in 2023.

Coffee with a Cause/Rosebud Coffee's mission is simple yet powerful: equip young individuals who have experienced foster care, homelessness or justice system involvement with job skills and career opportunities.

The café serves as more than just a place to grab a cup of joe; it's a training ground for future baristas and a stepping stone to employment in local businesses like Revival Boutique and Thrift, Ten Thousand Villages, Sharp Construction, and Linares Landscaping.

But this organization’s reach extends beyond the café. Coffee with a Cause works closely with local youth service providers such as Hillsides Youth Moving On, Sycamores, and Flintridge Center. Their collective efforts ensure that these young individuals receive the support and services they need to thrive.

The organization's tagline, "Coffee with a Cause," encapsulates its ethos. "We are passionate about great coffee, but we primarily exist for our cause: to help serve and equip youth for employment," the organization states.

Looking to the future, Coffee with a Cause plans to expand its footprint with a second location in East LA, specifically in an area easily accessible by public transit like Highland Park.

This move is poised to broaden their reach, opening up their services to a larger pool of youth who rely on public transit.

For more information about Coffee with a Cause or to get involved, reach out to Melissa via email at [email protected]. You can also visit their websites at coffeewithacause.org and rosebudcoffee.com.

In Pasadena, Coffee with a Cause/Rosebud Coffee is more than a café. It's a community, a lifeline, and a beacon of hope, one cup of coffee at a time.

Please Support Our Local Business Owners
👉 Click Their Logos To Visit Their Websites 👈

Pasadena Water and Power Pursues 20-Year, $500 Million Solar Contract

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is seeking approval for a 20-year power sales contract with Southern California Public Power Authority for solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage.

The proposed contract, costing an amount not-to-exceed $512.05 million, is part of PWP’s efforts to transition towards sustainable energy sources and meet ambitious decarbonization goals.

The contract aims to source renewable energy from the Bonanza Solar project in Nevada, providing a maximum of 105 megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy and up to four hours of dispatchable battery energy storage during a 20-year term starting Dec. 31, 2027.

This move aligns with Pasadena’s resolution to source 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by the end of 2030, surpassing state-mandated targets.

The Bonanza Project is expected to enhance electric reliability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute significantly to Pasadena’s electricity needs.

It will also partially offset the loss of capacity from the termination of the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) coal contract in 2027, contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals.

The proposed contract underscores PWP’s commitment to sustainable energy practices and its dedication to meeting the needs of its community while ensuring a cleaner, greener future for Pasadena.

Upcoming Local Events

Wednesday February, 14

Ash Wednesday Services - 7:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.

2024 Winter JAM - In-Person - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Story & Craft at SCCM - 10:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Valentine's Day Storytime - 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Thursday February, 15

2024 Winter JAM - In-Person - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday February, 16

Saturday February, 17

Pokemon GO Tour - 9:00 a.m.

Lunar New Year Celebration at SCCM - 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 - 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday February, 18

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

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