Monthly Archives: October 2024
Oct 31 2024
City of Burbank Partners with Allied Universal for Homeless Outreach and Ambassador Services

City of Burbank Partners with Allied Universal for Homeless Outreach and Ambassador Services

Burbank, CA (October 31, 2024) – Starting November 1, 2024, the City of Burbank will partner with Allied Universal Security Services (Allied) to provide citywide homeless outreach and security ambassador services at parks and libraries. In addition to continuing citywide outreach efforts for vulnerable populations including those experiencing homelessness, this new partnership introduces collaboration with Burbank’s parks and libraries for dedicated outreach and security ambassador services. This initiative ensures that the city’s public spaces remain accessible, safe, and welcoming for all, while providing vital support.

Allied personnel will be present citywide offering outreach services for the homeless population and will provide unarmed security ambassador services at City parks and libraries seven days a week. Their role as ambassadors will include providing assistance to the City’s unhoused population, promoting a secure environment for residents and visitors, as well as offering information and assistance when needed. To ensure that their presence is clearly recognized throughout the community, they will be easily identifiable by their black and blue polo shirts and black pants.

The City is also introducing a new dedicated Homeless Assistance Hotline, available for unhoused individuals seeking help or for community members looking to connect the homeless with assistance or report a homeless related issue. By calling (818) 238-5888, individuals can report unhoused individuals and request access to services such as housing, food, and mental health resources. Additionally, the OurBurbank 311 App provides the same access, allowing residents to report unhoused individuals in need of assistance and offering a tool for unhoused individuals to connect with support. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store or the Google Play store. A desktop version is available at www.311.burbankca.gov.

“The safety and enjoyment of our parks, libraries, and public spaces as well as access to essential resources for the unhoused is an essential part of prioritizing the quality of life here in Burbank,” said Mayor Nick Schultz. “Our partnership with Allied Universal allows us to expand our homeless outreach efforts through a compassionate and holistic approach while ensuring that all of our residents feel safe and supported as they enjoy these various public facilities.”

For more information about this partnership, please contact Bob Newman from the City of Burbank Community Development Department at (818) 238-5182.

Oct 18 2024
The Future Energy Grid: From Solar to Nuclear to Novel Chemistry

The Future Energy Grid: From Solar to Nuclear to Novel Chemistry

Saturday, October 19 2024 9:00 AM

​Join us for an exploration of the rapidly evolving renewable energy landscape. Nuclear, solar, and other renewable energy technologies are creating immense opportunities for startups and investors alike. Startup founders, investors and academics will discuss how innovative businesses can capitalize on the emerging trends to drive growth and sustainability. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and network with industry leaders at the forefront of clean energy innovation. Join us for Keynote presentations, a lively panel discussion and plenty of networking.

Register Now

Keynote Speakers

​Peter Turner, Ph.D.

​Partner

​Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Neil Fromer, Ph.D.

Executive Director of Programs

Resnick Sustainability Institute

California Institute of Technology

Speakers

Jason Huang, Ph.D.

​Founder & CEO

​TS Conductor

​Martin Soltau

​Co-CEO

​SpaceSolar

Adrian Hightower, Ph.D.

Sustainability, Resilience & Innovation Manager

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Producers

Scott Sugino

​Corporate Partner

​O’Melveny

​Andy Tomat

​Managing Director

​Four Pillars, Inc.

​Stan Tomsic

​Managing Director

​Magna Point Group

Coffee and Networking begin at 8:00 am.

Free Parking Underground: Right turn at signal on east side of Cahill (turn right at tennis courts); parking lot entrance 75 yards on right.

REGISTER NOW

Oct 12 2024
PUSD Measures EE and R Fraud? Text message received.

Received this text message

Hey Victor, we now know that PUSD Measures EE and R are political frauds that will increase your PUSD property taxes to a total of at least $21,639.88 over the next 30 years in order to build housing for PUSD staff. The ballot argument in favor of Measure R claims it includes money for “critical infrastructure repairs”. But that’s a lie. There are no unfunded “critical infrastructure repairs”. Measure R funding is really to build luxury apartments…for PUSD staff. In 2020, the voters approved a $513 million bond (Measure O) for these same “critical” needs. The PUSD has only spent $60 million of that amount in four years. Another $80 million is sitting unspent in a bank account, earning millions in interest for the PUSD. An additional $373 million in authorized bonds for “critical infrastructure repairs” haven’t yet been issued, even after 4 years. So there are no “critical infrastructure repairs” that need new funding. In reality, the PUSD intends to use your property tax money to build luxury housing for PUSD staff. You can read about it in the PUSD Board presentation available here https://votenooneer.com/pusds-luxury-housing Incredibly, the language of Measure R discloses that the PUSD will use the funds to build subsidized housing for PUSD employees in Pasadena with “all related amenities and facilities”. The PUSD Board has already hired a real estate developer for this staff housing project. One-bedroom apartments normally rented for $2,700 will be offered to PUSD staff for as low as $600 a month. (Source: PUSD Board meeting dated August 29, 2024, Item M.5). The PUSD proposes to increase your housing costs to lower the housing costs of its own employees. These Measures are a financially unnecessary, politically fraudulent money grab. Vote No on Measures EE and R. Paid for by Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre Voters for School Reform 2024 – No on Measures EE and R. FPPC #1474917. Txt STOP to opt out.

Oct 11 2024
Pasadena Community Pretextual Stop Survey
A pretextual traffic stop is when a police officer pulls someone over for a minor traffic or equipment violation to try and find evidence of another more serious crime. The Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) invites community members to provide their thoughts and experiences related to pretextual traffic stops through an online survey. To take the survey, visit Research.net/R/CPOCCommunityPretextStop Enlace de la encuestra, visite Research.net/R/ParadasPretextuales
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. The purpose of this questionnaire is to collect information about the community’s views regarding the use of “pretextual traffic stops” by Pasadena’s police officers.
  • A pretextual traffic stop is when a police officer pulls someone over for a minor traffic or equipment violation to try and find evidence of another more serious crime.
  • An example of a pretextual stop could be when a police officer pulls someone over for a broken taillight in order to investigate a hunch that the person has illegal drugs or firearms in the car.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that pretextual traffic stops are legal as long as the officer has a valid reason for the initial stop, such as observing a traffic violation (Whren v. United States).
  • It is important to note that there are other kinds of traffic enforcement stops that are not pretextual stops. A second kind of stop is when a police officer observes a traffic violation and pulls a vehicle over with the intent of enforcing traffic laws and ensuring public safety. This kind of traffic stop is different from a pretextual traffic stop because the officer’s initial intent is different between the two types of stops.
The City of Pasadena’s Community Police Oversight Commission is collecting information about the first kind of traffic stop noted above, which are called police pretextual stops. Their goal is to make recommendations to the Police Chief, City Manager, and City Council about how to improve police practices in Pasadena.

If you agree to participate in this survey, we will ask you questions about your views on both traffic enforcement stops and pretextual stops, the experiences you may have had with the Pasadena Police Department, and your background characteristics. This survey will take approximately 10 – 15 minutes to complete. Your answers will be entirely voluntary and confidential, and you can withdraw at any time. You are free to skip any questions you choose. We believe there are no known risks associated with this research study.

If you would like to speak to the Community Police Oversight Commission about their work, please email CPOC@cityofpasadena.net. If you have questions about this survey or have a research-related comment, please contact Dr. Joseph De Angelis by email at jtdeangelis@gmail.com.

Oct 10 2024
The “Great Shakeout” Earthquake Drill – Are You Prepared? Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m.

The “Great Shakeout” Earthquake Drill

Are You Prepared?

The “Great Shakeout” is an annual earthquake drill organized statewide to prepare and practice how to be safe during earthquakes. Residents are asked to assess their emergency plans and to join millions of Southern Californians in the statewide “Great Shakeout” scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m.

The earthquake drill will encourage residents to evaluate their emergency preparedness skills and to practice dropping to the ground or taking cover under a table or desk in preparation for when a big earthquake occurs, as demonstrated below:

 

IT’S VERY SIMPLE:

Drop, Cover, Hold

 

Why should you DROP? Because the shaking will make it difficult to walk/run and very unsafe.

Why should you COVER? Because you need to protect yourself from falling items or debris.

Why should you HOLD ON? Because in the event of a big earthquake, all items that are not secured to the ground will shift and move around. Hold your position until the shaking subsides.

To participate or learn more about the Great Shakeout, please click here. While on the website, we encourage community members to consider pledging your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive further information on planning for the drill, encourage others to participate, and improve earthquake preparedness.  Let’s get registered! Participation is free and everyone is encouraged to be involved.

All residents should have emergency supplies, including “Go Kits,” and evacuation plans to help their family and pets survive the first few days following a major disaster. Emergency management officials urge residents to sign up for emergency alerts, such as Alert L.A. County (by clicking here), and Nixle alerts, at www.nixle.com for the latest emergency information in your area.

Oct 6 2024
State of EV Charging in Pasadena, CA October 2024

This weekend I was charging at the Tesla Supercharger at one of the current five locations in Pasadena which three of the locations also have Pasadena’s EV charging for vehicles that do not use the NACS Tesla connector to charge.

At the Shopper’s Lane Supercharger and Pasadena Water and Power location, all Tesla Superchargers had been functional and experiencing heaving load, still all are in use and the charge level at peak is capable of 250kwh charging. Although most vehicles that drop to 150 and lower as the vehicle charge level increases.

The issue at this location is that for non-Tesla Supercharge capable vehicles,. you are pretty much out of luck, the chargers available over half did not work and either had a sign that indicated such the unit was forced into Out of Service Mode. But beyond that the chargers being used by PWP are old and slow and to make matters worse use the Shell platform, re-charge, which has been renamed and reimagined and still unreliable and fails to work more than it works.

The Tritium chargers being used by PWP are made in Australia and are capable at peak of 50kwh charging. This is completely unacceptable in todays charging standards.

Pasadena received federal and state funds to install chargers that do not work. There are other locations where the PWP EV installs are just as bad. Victory Park, Robinson Park, Marengo, and Glenarm all have PWP EV chargers that do not work.

Not to mention that the Tesla chargers had been operation many months ahead of the PWP EV chargers being installed.   This is a picture showing the Tesla chargers installed and operational.  and the Pasadena chargers not even installed back in July 2023.

 

Oct 5 2024
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – October 26, 2024; 10AM to 2PM

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – October 26, 2024; 10AM to 2PM

Get rid of unused or expired medications!

Saturday, October 26th

10 a.m. -2 p.m

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Locate a Collection Site Near You

Search by zip code or city/state to find a collection site near you.

Oct 2 2024
Media Coverage of Pasadena Person Placing Urine in Bottles Mystery

Media Coverage of Pasadena Person Placing Urine in Bottles Mystery

Reports are that this individual has been placing bottles of various sizes on top of a control signal box owned by the City of Pasadena, for several years.

As a matter of fact Google Street View shows the bottles.

June 2024

June 2022- although here in June 2022 you can see it was cups placed on top of the box.

Incidents like these need a rapid deployment of technology to stop the recurring incidents, much like graffiti, illegal dumping of trash, and other illegal acts.
The individual must live nearby. As there’s really no place to park a vehicle.