[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6289345,"mediaKeyId","2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0","parentId",2532432,"title","South Pasadena leaders describe staffing shortfalls; departments eye recruitment, explorers and shared staffing","audioSeconds",592,"startMs",2491000,"endMs",3083000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0&start=2491&end=3083","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0/thumbnail_2491000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289345/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-leaders-describe-staffing-shortfalls-departments-eye-recruitment-explorers-and-shared-staffing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289345-99a48780dba6b52151274460e7628b1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776228336&Signature=UHvzGR4Cbq-dKTg6cinCD7PJ3QSF0fXeLjm1ZIns0twiz8tYokvMHHsc2RSYcbUxzfvVzrIrJPLpisEo6aKNpZoMHDE8yxVsHDQPB3J1MXoBLl0RPEfwt0BFpa4SVp~odRYLDjOlY2VIHRPyO-jVxznwwkfRQBo7EZkfXAqP-YV-SctzWc59WJKv9zA8YuFE-8u9lsZZiDiMHEYIRvKsDI-g9qrNyGbJydwZwaJJwG1xnWV3II6RlTEeC10jobcjKFqAiOOsYHu1dIMmp8GSZ86vYjSUn9SDknglby2kFIQdqBAMK4Joe1dor5dc0ZOLm9bkj~~xsUzteqEldabtJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of South Pasadena, California","date","2025-03-10T22:26:51Z","article","Chief Brian Solinski and interim Fire Division Chief Chris Scenzi briefed the Public Safety Commission on staffing and recruitment across police and fire services.

Chief Solinski said the police department is making progress after a period of low staffing but still has several vacancies among sworn and non‑sworn positions. “As of right now, we have 2 dispatchers that were vacant, 4 police cadets, 1 police corporal, 1 police lieutenant, 4 police officers… for a police department with 36 sworn having 7 vacancies,” Solinski said, describing the current gap.

Scenzi, serving as interim fire chief, said the department has benefited from recent academy graduates but continues to run below full staffing. He outlined recruitment outreach to high schools, military personnel and colleges and highlighted recent media events that drew interest. Scenzi also described a shared‑staffing command arrangement with San Marino that places him between two cities’ operations.

Commissioners and staff discussed programs to recruit local candidates, including reviving a police explorer program for high‑school students and a citizens‑on‑patrol initiative for retirees and volunteers. Commissioners suggested exploring incentives such as affordable housing prioritization for public‑safety employees and pursuing budgets that would allow competitive pay; council liaison Braun said a quarterly printed newsletter and budget priorities are under discussion but would require allocation in the city budget process.

Officials noted mutual‑aid and reciprocal staffing arrangements with nearby agencies such as San Marino and Pasadena to mitigate gaps and stressed the strain of overtime on current personnel. Department leaders said they will continue recruitment campaigns and consider partnerships with schools, MBA capstone projects for marketing help, and other outreach to fill vacancies.

Ending: No hiring decisions or new funding were approved in the meeting. Staff said recruitment and program planning will continue and that the commission will receive an updated annual report on crime and staffing at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Committee Regular Meeting 08/12/2024","oneSentenceSummary","Police and fire officials updated the commission on staffing vacancies, recruitment challenges and outreach plans. Police reported seven sworn vacancies; fire described new academy graduates but persistent gaps. Officials discussed explorer and citizens‑patrol programs and intercity staffing agreements.","taxTitle","South Pasadena City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289350,"South Pasadena police outline prevention steps as catalytic converter and copper‑wire thefts rise",1935,421000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0&start=421&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0/thumbnail_421000.jpg","/articles/6289350/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-police-outline-prevention-steps-as-catalytic-converter-and-copperwire-thefts-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289350-4ea403a08906fef7f7f7d42c0a011677/orig.mp4?Expires=1776228336&Signature=FcBETaGG-77zaKU8MRiiNaC-Bobe-OLHFKGkUGhxbZEoqihA1vMLhcgvhgb1Sy55NrxOoy~uDuReBC0De3-6EgBxwibEDGW3tVFMGEPNlyMSPRuFp~X-wfei7My3UYKOSl9XrrfO75GXB0XpzfrWxHCD6uIxRNeK2nnU7uBhUh44McVaWKw00Jfls8qxA9ieQCjQqCDcg9-DYJyR~mjvG4WQBWSaNG0iWezyQ8eTNErOAEKO4vv9q3HVnf3Xje0j8t9TiouyynwLbm6uH3iYXHz0HDGgPWNUSEknnCuUJQOrHhzC5g5ecmJtVTTGssMosGE715xZzrQQlVi72ysueQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Brian Solinski and Detective Carlos Petch told the Public Safety Commission that catalytic converter and copper‑wire thefts have been a growing problem locally and regionally and outlined prevention steps residents and businesses can take.

“This item is brought before you, at the request of some of the commissioners,” Chief Solinski said, and pointed to recent enforcement actions elsewhere: “Most recently, the Los Angeles Police Department, their heavy metal, theft task force arrested, 82 individuals, I believe, with over 2,000 pounds of copper wiring.”

Detective Carlos Petch described how easily thieves can remove catalytic converters and wire, noting on‑camera examples and the short time required to commit the theft. “Basically, you can just get a reciprocating saw, go underneath the vehicle… you could take no more than a minute and a half to, extract 1 of these catalytic converters,” Petch said. He said recyclers typically pay $50 to $250 per converter and then recover and resell the precious metals.

Both police speakers emphasized prevention: etching or engraving converters with a vehicle identification number or contact information, using welded metal shields (one example called a “cat cage”), and locking or securing wire at construction sites. Chief Solinski said South Pasadena runs an etch program that is free to residents, sells out quickly and is done in partnership with local garages that provide lifts for the process.

Police also warned about EV charging stations and commercial lighting junctions as targets. A commissioner recalled incidents where thieves stripped wiring from charging stations. Solinski said placement in well‑traveled, well‑lit locations reduces opportunity and cautioned that some junction boxes and lock boxes are still vulnerable to powerful cutting tools.

Commissioners pressed the department about enforcement and legal limits. Solinski explained a prosecution challenge: under California law the theft of a catalytic converter requires proof of specific intent — that the suspect intended to possess or had taken the property — and that unserialized parts complicate linking a recovered converter to a victim. He said agencies sometimes seize converters and seek proof of ownership before release, but district attorneys may decline to file charges when origin cannot be shown.

“We recommend, to have these items engraved or etched with either a VIN number of the vehicle or painting them to a certain color,” Detective Petch said, adding that recyclers are supposed to keep seller records — name, address, fingerprints and a photo — but compliance and enforcement are inconsistent.

Commissioners discussed municipal ordinances and city prosecution as possible policy responses. Chief Solinski said some Orange County cities obtained success with local measures, but Los Angeles County prosecutors have varying policies and that creating city prosecutor capacity poses legal and funding challenges. He said local and state legislative efforts are already underway and that state lawmakers such as Senator Anthony Portantino have been involved in legislative discussions about catalytic converter theft.

The department recommended resident reporting, neighborhood awareness, and continued outreach. Police promised to present the department’s 2023 crime report under the NIBRS (National Incident‑Based Reporting System) format at a future meeting to allow comparisons with neighboring jurisdictions.

Ending: No ordinance or legislative motion was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners encouraged continued etching events, improved outreach materials, and further comparison of local crime statistics to neighboring cities to support potential policy or budget requests.","Police briefed the Public Safety Commission on catalytic converter and copper‑wire thefts, prevention measures such as etching and cages, challenges prosecuting unserialized parts, and vulnerabilities at EV charging stations and construction sites. Commissioners discussed municipal ordinances, recycler regulation, and outreach.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289355,"South Pasadena Fire Department schedules October CERT class; youth participation limited by liability",270,68000,338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0&start=68&end=338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532432-84d176fa81ecac8ac8873afe5f781dd0/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6289355/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-Fire-Department-schedules-October-CERT-class-youth-participation-limited-by-liability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289355-db606d1a768c642782cf5e6a9f903495/orig.mp4?Expires=1776228336&Signature=aUFnQUVmGADNRBokn9A3A6vw5--7w1pSPr9eQcMEQyk-jYh6Vuu28lAqqSJkSMMKFzOm50ON48yJM2WgkKJk0wytMB5dacT08fiSaWgF8qH0yo54PEVAobJKYk0H9~FV6KHyuqabtY5hgNGEQvEU00nOF2hI~WaFg4yG2fWV5rCJBIMqMYVKPNbrk8Y9CLaUsKNu6IAHyP53JR8tjeCS~G4iC1AzV3TuA9hJ8lUkeWuSOqcbPQBPXzc0WvCwnqPOFxO15hZsA7rQnUqAsoUoMWzBJhg-FZp1aL4q7ZcO1x6wFFj3Hxzkze4njGgK84UplMRyF7HP0AQ2e2sOL1eQcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Censley of the South Pasadena Fire Department introduced a presentation on the city’s Community Emergency Response Team program and said staff would give commissioners an update on the 2024 schedule.

“Today, we've taught approximately 700 students. We do 2 classes a year or 15 hour courses, with an annual refresher in May. I average about 20 about 20 students per class,” said Anthony Krell, the department’s CERT coordinator, describing the program’s curriculum in fire suppression, safety, disaster preparation, first aid, light search and rescue and patient movement.

The next CERT class will begin Oct. 26, 2024; Krell said the course is taught on Saturdays across three days so working residents can attend. He told commissioners the class is free, is taught at the fire station, and registration is available through a link on the city’s website.

On youth participation, a commissioner asked whether the department could run separate CERT classes for high‑school students. Krell said the department has encountered liability limits for minors during live‑fire and other hands‑on training and so typically allows people under 18 to attend the classroom portion only and only when accompanied by an adult.

“We don't have a full separate curriculum for teen cert yet. There actually is a teen cert program through FEMA that we haven't adopted yet,” Krell said when asked about a teen curriculum and age ranges.

Commissioners and residents raised questions about exertion and physical limits for students; Krell said instructors work around participants’ physical limitations and that some practical drills use a mannequin (which can weigh up to 200 pounds) moved by six to eight people to teach patient handling techniques safely.

The presentation closed with an invitation to community groups: the department will offer mini‑classes to large school or church groups, but smaller groups are usually asked to attend the regular class. Krell said the department will announce future etching and outreach dates when scheduled.

Ending: The commission did not take formal action on the presentation. Commissioners encouraged staff to follow up on FEMA’s teen CERT curriculum and to provide clearer marketing and registration details when the next class is posted on the city site.","The Public Safety Commission heard an update on the Community Emergency Response Team program, which has taught about 700 students since 2014 and will hold a free three‑day class Oct. 26, 2024. Officials said minors may attend classroom sessions but are restricted from hands‑on live‑fire and some practical drills for liability reasons.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

South Pasadena leaders describe staffing shortfalls; departments eye recruitment, explorers and shared staffing

South Pasadena police outline prevention steps as catalytic converter and copper‑wire thefts rise

South Pasadena Fire Department schedules October CERT class; youth participation limited by liability