Pasadena’s Parking Enforcement Gamble: Why Bringing Inter-Con In-House Could Cost More Than It Saves

For the past several years, Pasadena’s streets have been patrolled by a mix of city employees and workers from Inter-Con Security Systems, a private contractor that has handled the bulk of parking enforcement since 2020. That arrangement is now in question. The City Council recently approved a one-year extension of the Inter-Con contract — adding $696,000 and pushing the five-year deal’s total value past $7.2 million — while the Department of Transportation quietly studies whether to pull enforcement entirely in-house.

On paper, the logic is easy to follow. Why pay a private firm a markup on every parking control officer when the city could hire its own staff and keep the difference? Pasadena has already been moving in that direction: in 2024 the Council more than doubled its in-house enforcement team, from four full-time officers to ten, largely to cover the expanded Playhouse District meter zone. The current evaluation asks whether that expansion should become the whole program.

But a look at how other cities — including Pasadena’s closest neighbors — have handled this exact decision suggests the math is a lot less favorable than it looks from the dais.

The case against going fully in-house

The cautionary tale doesn’t have to be imported from out of state. Just down the freeway, the City of Los Angeles runs its parking enforcement operation entirely in-house through LADOT, and the results have been rough. Reporting this year found that Los Angeles has lost more than $315 million over the past decade running its own enforcement program, with staffing, overtime, liability claims, and citation-processing costs consistently outpacing what the fines bring in. Ticket issuance has fallen as the city has struggled to keep enforcement positions filled, and LA is now leaning on automated bus-lane cameras rather than a larger human workforce to close the gap, even as LADOT’s budget keeps growing.

That pattern — a public enforcement workforce that’s expensive to staff, hard to retain, and slow to generate offsetting revenue — is the exact set of problems a private contractor is built to absorb instead of the city. Contractors carry their own vehicles, uniforms, hiring pipelines, and liability coverage, and they can scale staffing up or down without going through a civil service hiring process or a union negotiation every time. When a city takes that function in-house, it typically inherits pension and benefit obligations, overtime exposure, recruitment costs, workers’ comp liability, and — as Los Angeles has found — a structural gap between what enforcement costs and what it collects.

Pasadena’s own staff report on the Inter-Con extension flags a version of this problem already: before the city can even shift contracted duties to city employees, it has to negotiate with its own employee union, since the work “mirrors jobs the city’s own officers perform.” That’s not a minor procedural footnote — it’s the same friction point that has slowed or reversed similar transitions elsewhere.

Burbank went the opposite direction

If Pasadena wants a real-world preview of what happens when a city tries to run parking enforcement entirely with its own staff, Burbank already ran that experiment — and abandoned it.

For years, Burbank Police handled parking enforcement in-house. By 2022, the department had only six parking enforcement employees, its patrol vehicles were years past their expected service life, and the city was struggling to recruit and retain a stable, trained workforce. The City Council’s response wasn’t to hire more city employees — it was to bring in a third-party contractor. In 2023, Burbank selected LAZ Parking, a national firm with decades of parking enforcement experience in cities like West Hollywood, Long Beach, and Manhattan Beach, to handle the majority of enforcement duties (roughly 75–90%) alongside a smaller core of remaining city staff.

In other words, Burbank moved from an in-house model to a hybrid contracted model for the same reasons Pasadena’s Inter-Con arrangement exists in the first place: recruitment is hard, turnover is constant, and a specialized outside vendor can absorb that churn more easily than a city HR department can.

Glendale’s hybrid model has held steady since 2017

Glendale offers the clearest long-term case study, because it went through this exact decision-making process nearly a decade ago and has stuck with the outcome.

In 2017, a consultant review of Glendale’s parking program (conducted by Walker Consultants) identified a fragmented, under-resourced operation and recommended outsourcing a significant share of enforcement duties rather than trying to build out a fully in-house team. The city adopted a balanced model: the Glendale Police Department kept its full-time parking enforcement officers in supervisory and specialized roles, while contracted staff — up to sixteen full-time contracted officers, plus supervisors and dispatchers — handled the bulk of day-to-day citation issuance. The council even had to amend the municipal code to allow a private contractor to enforce parking laws at all.

Nearly ten years later, that structure is still in place. Glendale’s contracted officers use city-branded, clearly marked vehicles equipped with license-plate recognition technology, while city police retain oversight, minor collision reporting, and specialized enforcement functions. It’s a model built explicitly to combine the accountability of city oversight with the staffing flexibility of a contractor — the same trade-off Pasadena is currently trying to solve for.

What this means for Pasadena

Laid side by side, the pattern among Pasadena’s neighbors is consistent, and it points the opposite direction from where Pasadena’s staff evaluation seems headed:

No neighboring city has successfully run a fully in-house parking enforcement program without running into the staffing and cost problems Pasadena is presumably trying to solve by considering the switch. Burbank tried the in-house route and moved away from it. Glendale evaluated the same options Pasadena is evaluating now and settled on a hybrid model it has kept for eight years. And Los Angeles — the region’s largest fully in-house operation — has become something of a textbook example of how enforcement costs can outrun citation revenue once you’re carrying the full weight of staffing, benefits, and liability internally.

None of this means Pasadena’s Department of Transportation shouldn’t keep expanding its own core team, the way it did in 2024. A strong in-house supervisory and specialized-enforcement staff, paired with contracted labor for routine patrol and citation issuance, is exactly the model Glendale has run successfully. But a full transition away from Inter-Con — without a very clear plan for staffing, retention, and the union negotiation the city’s own report says is required — risks trading a predictable, budgeted contract line for the kind of open-ended cost growth Los Angeles has spent the last decade trying to climb out of.

The Department of Transportation says no timeline for a transition has been set. Given what’s happened in Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles, that caution seems well placed.

Sources: Pasadena Now, City of Pasadena Department of Transportation, City of Burbank / myBurbank, City of Glendale council staff reports, Westside Current.

Sips & Stories: Women in Mexican Art History

Art Trippin’ and the the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) present Sips & Stories: Women

in Mexican Art History, an evening lecture series blending art, wine, and community.

Thursdays in August, Art Trippin’ is collaborating with the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) to offer a four-part lecture series led by Dr. Megan Lorraine Debin, art historian and professor of art history at Fullerton College. Sips & Stories: Women in Mexican Art History explores the power, creativity, and resilience of women artists and thinkers in Mexico throughout history. Each lecture brings history to life through engaging storytelling, rich visuals, and thoughtful discussion. Sip on a glass of wine as you learn about the life and art of Frida Kahlo, the stories of ancient Indigenous goddesses, the poetry of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and much more. Charcuterie will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase.

Lectures will run from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

$45 for single evening tickets. $160 for series tickets. Tickets can be purchased at arttrippin.com.

Find out more on Instagram @arttrippinwithprofd, or TikTok @arttrippin.

Lecture Topics:

August 6: Power Before Colonization

Women, goddesses, and authority in ancient Indigenous Mexico

August 13: The Feminist Nun

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and the fight for women’s intellect, voice, and education in colonial Mexico

August 20: Frida, the Icon

Identity, pain, politics, and self-fashioning

August 27: Beyond Frida

Women artists shaping modern & contemporary Mexican art

PASARROYO FARMERS MARKET!

Pasarroyo | 225 S. Lake Avenue | 626-792-5161

Pasarroyo Pasadena hosts a weekly farmers market starting Tuesday, July 14th from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Enjoy fresh produce, artisan baked goods, coffee and beverages, prepared foods, international cuisine, specialty foods, local farmers and more! View Printable Flyer.

For more information, please visit Pasarroyo or call 626-792-5161.

5 Tons of Danger: Why Pasadena’s Historic Fireworks Bust Should Be Your Wake-Up Call

As we inch closer to the Fourth of July, the evening skies across Southern California usually start popping with early, illegal celebrations. It’s a familiar soundtrack for many of us—a random boom echoing off the foothills, followed by the distant wail of a fire engine. While some people view these neighborhood pyrotechnics as harmless summer fun, the reality on the ground is far more sinister, destructive, and downright deadly.

If you needed any proof of just how serious the underground fireworks trade has become, look no further than this week. On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Pasadena officials announced the largest illegal fireworks seizure in the region’s history. It wasn’t just a few boxes of sparklers confiscated from the back of a pickup truck. It was a massive, coordinated operation that disrupted a highly organized, dangerous criminal enterprise.

This historic bust is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in our neighborhoods and a perfect moment to reflect on why setting off fireworks in your backyard or local street is a gamble you simply shouldn’t take.

The Historic 10,000-Pound Seizure

The operation came to a head on Friday, June 19, when the Pasadena Police Department’s Street Crime Unit and the Pasadena Fire Department’s Arson Investigation Team served a search warrant at a commercial property on Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles. What they found inside was nothing short of staggering.

Investigators uncovered roughly 10,000 pounds—five full tons—of illegal explosives. Stacked high and ready for distribution, these fireworks were intended to flood the streets of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley just in time for Independence Day. City officials estimate the street value of the confiscated cache to be north of $120,000.

But this wasn’t just about flashy rockets and Roman candles. The raid quickly escalated when investigators discovered suspected homemade explosive devices (IEDs) mixed in with the commercial fireworks. The threat was severe enough that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad had to be called in to safely secure and collect the volatile homemade explosives.

Along with the explosives, authorities seized an unregistered firearm equipped with high-capacity magazines, a large quantity of marijuana products, and ledgers documenting the illegal sales. Four individuals were arrested on the spot.

Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris and Mayor Victor Gordo confirmed that this operation is believed to be tied to a sophisticated criminal street gang enterprise that actively smuggles these explosives across state lines from Nevada into California. By intercepting this massive haul, law enforcement undoubtedly prevented catastrophic property damage and saved lives.

The Sobering Reality: By the Numbers

It is easy to detach from the reality of fireworks when you only see them lighting up the night sky. But the data tells a terrifying story. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) track these incidents, and the numbers are trending in a dangerous direction.

In 2024, the CPSC reported a staggering 52% surge in fireworks-related injuries, estimating that 14,700 people ended up in emergency rooms. Even more tragic, 11 people lost their lives—a 38% increase in fatalities from the previous year.

To understand just how broad the impact is, consider these statistics:

• The Victims: Adults between 25 and 44 years old account for the largest share of injuries (32%), followed closely by teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. Shockingly, children under 15 are extremely vulnerable, making up a massive portion of the victims, often due to adults handing them “harmless” items.

• The Injuries: The most frequently injured body parts are hands and fingers (36%), followed by the head, face, and ears (22%). Burns are the most common trauma, representing 37% of all ER visits.

• The “Safe” Culprits: Sparklers alone are responsible for an estimated 1,700 emergency room visits annually. Sparklers burn at temperatures around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt glass and certain metals. Handing one to a toddler is akin to handing them a blowtorch.

A Threat to Our Homes and Environment

Beyond the devastating human toll, fireworks are a profound threat to property and the environment, particularly here in Southern California where wildfire risks are a year-round reality.

According to the NFPA, fireworks started an estimated 32,302 fires in a single recent year. This included 3,760 structure fires, 849 vehicle fires, and over 27,000 outside fires. These blazes resulted in an estimated $142 million in direct property damage.

When you light a mortar or an aerial shell in a residential neighborhood, you have absolutely zero control over where the flaming debris lands. A single stray ember can easily ignite a dry palm tree, a wooden roof shingle, or a patch of dry brush, sparking a blaze that can consume an entire block or trigger a massive hillside wildfire in minutes.

Furthermore, the loud explosions are deeply traumatizing to pets and wildlife. Animal shelters consistently report that the days surrounding the Fourth of July are their busiest of the year. Dogs and cats, terrified by the deafening booms, frequently break through fences or slip out of doors in a panic, leading to a spike in lost, injured, or killed pets. The Pasadena Humane Society strongly urges residents to keep their pets indoors, create a quiet space, and update their microchips during this season.

The Zero-Tolerance Policy: Leave It to the Professionals

Pasadena maintains a strict, zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fireworks. All fireworks—even those labeled “Safe and Sane” in neighboring jurisdictions—are completely illegal within city limits.

The consequences for violating this ordinance are severe. Property owners and tenants can be held directly responsible for fireworks discharged on their property. Violations are heavily prosecuted; misdemeanors can result in up to a year in county jail and fines up to $1,000. However, if you are caught with large quantities, like the contraband seized in this week’s historic raid, you face felony charges. Those carry penalties of up to three years in state prison and fines reaching $50,000.

There is no justifiable reason to use consumer fireworks. The risks of catastrophic injury, lifelong disfigurement, accidental death, and massive property loss far outweigh a few seconds of colorful light.

Instead of risking your fingers, your home, or your freedom, we strongly discourage the use of any fireworks. Support your local community by attending professional, permitted public displays where certified pyrotechnicians handle the explosives, and local fire departments are on standby.

The Pasadena Police and Fire Departments put their lives on the line this week to pull five tons of potential tragedy off our streets. Let’s honor that effort by keeping our neighborhoods safe, quiet, and fire-free this summer. If you see or hear illegal fireworks, do not hesitate—report it to the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.

Stay safe, be smart, and leave the fireworks to the pros.

Out With the Old, In With the Famiglia: A New Neighborhood Spot is Coming to East Washington Blvd

Pasadena’s culinary landscape is always evolving, and there is nothing we love more than seeing a familiar corner get a fresh, local upgrade. If you have driven down East Washington Boulevard lately, you might have noticed some changes brewing at a familiar storefront.

The space at 1400 E Washington Blvd, which locals will immediately recognize as the former home of Domino’s Pizza, is officially turning over a new leaf. Say goodbye to the days of corporate, grab-and-go pizza boxes, and get ready to welcome a brand-new, independent eatery to the neighborhood: Pasadena Famiglia.

Here is everything we know so far about the exciting new addition to our local dining scene.

From Chain Delivery to Local Gathering Space

Whenever a fast-food chain vacates a prime piece of real estate, the neighborhood holds its breath waiting to see what will take its place. The arrival of Pasadena Famiglia feels like a massive win for the community.

While the exact menu details are still under wraps, the name “Famiglia” (Italian for family) gives us a pretty delicious hint. It suggests a pivot from transaction-based takeout to a warm, welcoming environment rooted in community and shared meals. Whether they plan to serve up authentic, family-recipe Italian dishes, artisan pizzas, or hearty neighborhood comfort food, the focus seems clear: creating a space where the community can sit down, connect, and break bread together.

Elevating the Experience: A New Liquor License

Perhaps the most exciting news surrounding the opening of Pasadena Famiglia is what was recently spotted in their window: a public notice of application to sell alcoholic beverages.

The pursuit of a new liquor license completely changes the trajectory of this location. It elevates the space from a quick-bite stop to a genuine dine-in destination for date nights, weekend celebrations, and after-work unwinding. There is something truly special about pairing a vibrant, home-cooked meal with the perfect glass of Sangiovese, a crisp craft beer, or a signature neighborhood cocktail. If approved, this license will allow Pasadena Famiglia to offer a complete, well-rounded dining experience that will undoubtedly make it a new local favorite.

41-On-Sale Beer and Wine

A Win for the Washington Corridor

The East Washington Blvd corridor has always had its own distinct charm, bridging historic residential neighborhoods with bustling local commerce. Adding a family-centric, licensed restaurant to this specific strip brings a new energy to the area. It gives residents within walking distance a new local haunt and adds another compelling reason for the rest of Pasadena to make the short drive over.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Transforming a former Domino’s into a cozy, family-style restaurant is no small feat, and build-outs can take time. We will be keeping a close eye on the progress at 1400 E Washington Blvd as the paper comes off the windows and the kitchen fires up.

For now, let’s give an early, enthusiastic welcome to Pasadena Famiglia. We can’t wait to see—and taste—what you bring to the neighborhood!