Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 9, 2012

5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views News Saturday June 9, 2012

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

PASADENA CITY COLLEGE ROCKED BY INVESTIGATION

High Ranking Officials Have Homes, Offices Searched


SHERIFF BACA HONORS FALLEN PEACE OFFICERS

 Recently at the Sheriff’s 
Training Academy and 
Regional Services (STARS) 
Center in Whittier, Sheriff 
Lee Baca presided over the 
43rd Annual Los Angeles 
County Peace Officers’ 
Memorial Ceremony to 
commemorate the lives of 
those officers who died in 
the line of duty while serving the residents of 
Los Angeles County. Among the distinguished 
guests were U.S. Marshall David Singer, Claude 
Arnold from US Immigration, Postal Inspector 
B. Ferguson, Supervisors Mike Antonovich, 
5th District and Don Knabe, 4th District, Los 
Angeles County District 
Attorney Steve Cooley, 
Los Angeles City Attorney 
Carmen Trutanich, Signal 
Hill Police Chief Michael 
Langston, Hawthorne 
Police Chief Robert Fager, 
and Alhambra Police Chief 
Mark Yokoyama.

The program began 
with a special welcome 
from Captain Mike 
Parker, followed by the 
Presentation of Colors 
the Los Angeles County 
Sheriff’s Department 
Color Guard, Sgt. Gordon 
Crowl, Sgt. Tracy Crow, 
and Deputy Brian E. 
Anderson. A beautiful 
rendition of the National 
Anthem was performed 
by Sergeant Bryon Ward. 
(Later in the Program, he 
sang, My Creed, which 
he had written for our 
Deputy Dave March, which 
brought tears to everyone’s 
eyes.) The Invocation was 
read by Rabbi Ben-Tzion 
Kravitz, LASD Chaplin. 

 All of the above-
mentioned guests spoke 
eloquently at length, but 
I will try to highlight key 
points. US Marshall Singer 
knew Signal Hill Tony 
Giniewicz as a patrol officer 
who ran toward gunfire to protect others back 
on February 19, 1985. Although off-duty, he ran 
after the suspects because “I’m a police officer 
and it was my job.” He was only thirty-one at 
the time, married with children. He would never 
walk again and endured much pain till his death 
on December 7, 2011. (His son and stepson were 
among those who attended). District Attorney 
Steve Cooley felt all the honorees were heroes, 
not only by their untimely deaths, but by doing 
their daily jobs. Supervisor Knabe reminded us 
that most people got to work and expect to come 
home that evening. They don’t go to work every 
day and put their lives on the line. Supervisor 
Antonovich spoke with sympathy for the officers 
and their families over these senseless deaths. 
Supervisor Antonovich is very concerned and 
worried about current trends in our state. He 
pointed to a spike in crime since October when 
the state began transferring prisoners.

 As part of the memorial ceremony, 
Sheriff Baca accepted a torch delivered by 
members of various law enforcement agencies. 
(This followed the three-day Memorial Torch 
Relay Run which the Mountain Views News 
covered in a previous issue.) Andrew Garton’s 
young son came forward and assisted the Sheriff 
in igniting the Memorial Flame.

 During the Memorial Service, a short 
account of each officer’s death was given. Their 
family members bravely processed up the aisle. 
There they were met by their loved one’s Chief of 
Police, and together they released a dove.

 Hawthorne Police Officer Andrew S. 
Garton died on May 26.2011 as a result of injuries 
he sustained when his motorcycle collided with a 
motor officer from another police agency during 
a funeral procession for another fallen officer. 
Hawthorne Police Chief Robert Fager assisted 
with the dove release.

 Alhambra Police Officer Ryan E. 
Stringer died on July 10, 2011, when he was 
involved in a traffic collision with another patrol 
car responding to the same robbery in progress. 
Assisting was Alhambra Police Chief Mark 
Yokoyama.

 Officer Anthony A. Giniewicz, Signal 
Hill Police Department, died on December 7, 
2011 after suffering complications from gunshot 
wounds he suffered on February 19, 1985, when 
he and his partner were involved in an off-duty 
gun battle with three robbery suspects. Signal 
Hill Chief Michael Langston assisted with the 
dove release.

 Lastly, historical research determined 
that Deputy Constable Ed Brown, Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s Department, who tragically 
died on September 14, 1924, when he was shot in 
the abdomen while responding to a disturbance 
call, was deserving of his place on the Memorial 
Wall. Sheriff Baca released a dove for him.

 Four plaques have been added to the 
Memorial Wall, representing these fine officers. 
There also was a Wreath Presentation for each 
fallen officer. A 21-gun salute, the playing 
of Taps, and closing Benediction by LASD 
Chaplain, Reverend Manton Daley concluded 
the ceremony. 

 Many representatives from various 
Police Departments, California Highway Patrol, 
and the Sheriff’s Department were in attendance 
besides family members. Remembering Sheriff 
Motor Deputy Jake Kuredjian were his mom, 
Annie, brother Garo, and aunt, Verginia 
Parseghian. (It has been almost eleven years since 
Jake died, but his family will never forget him.) 
So many former Temple Station personnel came 
to support fallen officers and their families. They 
included Chief Richard Barrantes, Chief Roberta 
Abner, Captain Dave Silversparre, Lt. Brian 
Moriguchi, Lt. Miko Robles and Lt. Linda Roth. 
San Fernando Chief of Police Gil Carrillo, whom 
everyone’s remembers as the homicide detective 
from the Night Stalker Case, and Burbank Chief 
of Police Tom Angel (He was Captain at East Los 
Angeles Sheriff’s Station when Deputies Drew 
Burtness and Vince Romero began the Vida 
Program) also attended. It was heartwarming to 
see so many attend such a beautiful ceremony. 
I also met the parents of fallen Deputy David 
Piquette. But that is another story.

 

 On Thursday, the President of Pasadena City College, along with two Community College Trustees 
held a press conference and publicly announced that two high ranking officials at the school were 
under investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Vice President of Administrative 
Services Richard Van Pelt and Facilities Supervisor Al Hutchings have been the subject of a 
criminal investigation by the DA’s Public Integrity Unit since March.

 On Wednesday, law enforcement raided the homes of both men and their PCC offices, confiscating 
computers and other items that may aid the investigation. Van Pelt lives in Altadena and Hutchings 
resides in Rancho Palso Verdes.

 Deputy District Attorney Dave Demerjian, who is the head of the Public Integrity Division said in 
a telephone interview on Friday that “No arrests have been made at this time” and did not indicate 
whether there were immediate plans to file criminal charges against the two.

 Demerjian did indicate that the investigation was the result of an a tip from an informant several 
months ago. Conflicting statements have been attributed to the DA’s office first alleging that the 
probe centered around Van Pelt and Hutchins taking bribes from construction contractors. Another 
statement indicated that the investigation is centered around bribes associated with the purchase of 
a building.

 

 The following is from a statement released by PCC President Mark Rocha Thursday afternoon:

We come today to announce news that has angered and saddened all of us, as I know it will for all of you 
who care about Pasadena City College.

The day before yesterday, June 5, 2012, the college was formally notified by the Los Angeles County 
District Attorney that it intended to serve search warrants at the homes of two employees, Richard van 
Pelt, Vice President of Administrative Services, and Alfred Hutchings, Facilities Supervisor. These search 
warrants were served early this morning in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations 
against these two individuals related to violations of conflict of interest and similar laws. Because 
this is an ongoing criminal investigation and because these individuals have rights of due process, we are 
unable to comment further on this investigation. Further information about this investigation will come 
only from the District Attorney’s office.

Here I want to thank the Los Angeles County District Attorney for bringing this matter to our attention. 
From the moment the District Attorney contacted us we have cooperated fully in their investigation. The 
record will show that the District Attorney’s office first contacted us with regard to its investigation on 
May 7, 2012. Since that time we have worked openly and fully with their investigator. We will continue 
to do so until this case is concluded.

We are able to say that Mr. van Pelt and Mr. Hutchings were the only two employees identified by the 
DA's office as targets of the investigation.

Suffice it to say, that the potential charges against these two individuals are very serious and require 
vigorous and immediate action by the District.

Therefore, both Mr. van Pelt and Mr. Hutchings, were placed on administrative leave this morning. If our 
own investigation reveals improper conduct or violations of District policy, then I will recommend to our 
Board of Trustees the termination of these two employees. 

We will also use this as an opportunity to review all of our operations and learn how we can improve 
oversight and insure full compliance. A preliminary internal review of our books indicates that all funds 
are intact and properly accounted for. The District is financially strong and stable. But we cannot let the 
matter rest there.

We have therefore engaged an independent accounting firm, Vicenti, Lloyd, Stutzman, to perform an 
internal forensic audit of all business and fiscal operations, and to act as interim finance staff. They will 
conduct an independent audit and will serve as supervisors pro tem for fiscal and accounting operations. 
The auditors will be given full and free access and a report of their work, when completed, will be shared 
with the public.

The college is moving forward and continuing all normal business and academic activities. 

Thank you for your time and support.

S. Henderson, MV News


At the press conference on Thursday, l to r, Dr. Jeanette Mann and Geoff 
Baum (PCC Trustees) and PCC President Mark Rocha

POLICE ALERT: Residential Distraction Burglaries

Over the course of the last 
year or two, we have seen an 
increase in reports of residential 
distraction burglaries. This type 
of residential burglary is not 
unique to Arcadia, and has been 
reported throughout the San 
Gabriel Valley to other police 
agencies. However, it is always 
good to remind our community 
about these crimes in order to 
increase awareness and help 
prevent them from occurring in 
the future.

These distraction burglaries 
are usually committed during 
daytime hours and the victims 
are older in age. The primary 
suspect will contact the victim, 
either outside in the yard, or at 
the door. The suspect will state 
they are from entities such as the 
water company, a construction 
company, or perhaps even the 
City. Many times, the suspect 
will say they need to check on 
water faucets and ask to enter 
the home, hoping to gain the 
trust and cooperation of the 
victim. Once inside, the suspect 
will distract the victim and take 
items themselves, or perhaps 
have an accomplice enter the 
home to commit the crime.

Anytime someone approaches 
you, or comes to your residence 
asking to come in or perform 
work, obtain identification 
and confirm their identity. 
There may be times when a 
City employee, gas, electric, 
telephone, water, or other 
service worker may require 
entrance to your exterior 
property. Legitimate service 
workers should be in some form 
of uniform, have identification, 
and most likely be driving 
a clearly marked company 
vehicle. Unless you placed 
the service call, do not allow 
anyone access to your home. 
If the person is suspicious or 
uncooperative, immediately call 
the police, or dial 9-1-1. Our 
dispatchers can be reached at 
(626) 574-5123.

If you have older neighbors, 
friends, or relatives, please share 
this information with them and 
help increase their awareness to 
this type of crime.

Anyone with information on 
these crimes is asked to call 
the Arcadia Police Department 
at (626)574-5156. You can 
also submit crime tips and 
information via text, phone, 
or web to LA Regional Crime 
Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Robert T. Guthrie, Arcadia 
Chief of Police

METRO GOLD LINE FOOTHILL EXTENSION TEAM WANTS 
TO HEAR FROM YOU!

 Construction of the 11.5-mile Foothill Extension light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa will begin 
in earnest later this year. Attend an upcoming community open house to view the latest designs, learn 
about the construction schedule and meet the six station artists. Staff from the Construction Authority 
and the design-build team (Foothill Transit Constructors, a Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture) will also 
be available to answer questions about construction and how it may affect you. 

 Attend any of the three events and arrive any time. No formal presentation is planned. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 Memorial Park (North) Gymnasium

320 N. Orange Place, Azusa 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 Arcadia Library (Cay Mortenson Auditorium) 
20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia 5:30–7:30 p.m.

 Thursday, June 28, 2012 Duarte Community Center

1600 Huntington Drive, Duarte 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Learn more about the project and sign up to receive e-newsletter updates or construction alerts at www.
foothillextension.org. 

Pet Of The Week - Juliette: Animal ID #A4429939

Meet the sweet, petite and lovely Jolene 
(A4434383). Jolene is a timid two year old tan 
female shorthaired Chihuahua mix who was 
found as a stray and brought to the Baldwin Park 
Animal Care Center on May 24th. Weighing 
seven pounds, it is hard to tell if Jolene has had 
any training because she is absolutely terrified at 
the shelter. She clung to a volunteer the entire 
time she was out of her cage. What is known, 
however, is that she gives lovely kisses once she 
warms up to a new person. This sweetheart does 
well with other dogs. Jolene will be the perfect 
pet for a quiet adult household in an apartment 
or condo, and she would love to be a companion 
to a senior or retired person. To watch a video 
of Jolene, please visit: www.youtube.com/
watch?v=GiENRZdm0u0

To meet Jolene in person, please see her at 
the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-
2378 or 626-962-3577). She is currently available now. For any inquiries about Jolene, please 
reference her animal ID number: A4429939. The shelter is open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm 
Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a high-intake shelter with a great need 
for adoptions. For more information about Jolene or the adoption process, contact United Hope 
for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator Samantha at samanthasayon@gmail.com or 661-
309-2674. To learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park 
Shelter through its Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and 
sizes available for adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/
shelter-support-program/.