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Thursday, AUGUST 30 - SEMPTEMBER 5, 2018
PASADENA_INDEPENDENT
Since 1996
Volume 22, NO. 35
PASADENA COUNCIL STREAMLINES UNPOPULAR OCCUPANCY PROGRAM
Real estate transactions in the City of Pasadena have become a little easier, as buyers and sellers will be able to forego previouslyrequired city inspections and instead self-certify properties for life and safety violations. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
Gus HERRERA gherrera@beaconmedianews.com
M
uch to the delight of local realtors, the process of buying and selling a home in the City of Pasadena is about to get a little easier. At their latest regular meeting, the City Council voted to streamline Pasadena’s unpopular occupancy inspection program (OIP), eliminating the previously-required city inspections and allowing buyers/sellers to self-certify prop-
erties for life and safety violations. Although some residents and realtors would have liked to have seen the OIP eradicated altogether, there is plenty of optimism behind this move. According to staff’s report, the city is hoping that the streamlined process will eliminate or significantly reduce any delays in real estate transactions, as well as any “redundancies and inefficiencies associated with private and city inspections.” David Reyes, director of planning and community development, is also confident that the move will benefit the
Pasadena Burglary Ring Busted by LASD Staff WRITER editorial@beaconmedianews.com
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Burglary/ Robbery Task Force along with law enforcement partners of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and other local agencies have arrested eight suspects as part of an ongoing inves-
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Mastering the Art of Gluten-Free Goodies
tigation into a Pasadena/ Los Angeles County based criminal street gang whose members commit residential burglaries in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Seven suspects have been charged or charges are pending for multiple counts of residential burglary and one suspect has been charged for being a felon in possession of a firearm. This
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burglary crew is believed to have committed more than 20 burglaries throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Investigators anticipate several more arrests as this investigation continues. In April of 2018, the Thousand Oaks Police Department (Ventura County Sheriff’s DepartSEE BURGLARY RING PAGE 10
quadrennial inspection program, which ensures the quality and maintenance of the city’s multi-family units. Free from the occupancy inspections, Reyes and his staff will now be able to dedicate more time and resources to “protect residents that don’t have a voice, those who are not selling their homes for a million dollars.” Additionally, Pasadena will now be joining the majority of cities in Los Angeles County – currently, only 16 of the SEE COUNCIL STREAMLINES PAGE 11
PPD Investigates Gang-Related Incidents Staff WRITER editorial@beaconmedianews.com
Pasadena Police Department (PPD) is actively investigating several gang-related incidents that have occurred within the city over the past four weeks. The PPD is following multiple leads as it seeks to bring the perpetrators to justice. Over the past couple
of months, 30 gang members have been arrested for various crimes, including 10 felony drug violations, and the PPD has seized 11 firearms, bringing the year to date firearm recoveries to 160. The PPD is utilizing all available resources for a more robust deployment of police officers in the commuSEE GANG-RELATED PAGE 11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SPORTS
Lowrider Band Performing at Long Beach Blues Festival
La Salle Volleyball Adjusts to Iwatani Era, Splits Back-to-Back Games
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Pasadena 'Dine-and-Dash Dater' Charged With Extortion Staff WRITER editorial@beaconmedianews.com
A man, who has become known as the "Dine-and-Dash Dater," pleaded not guilty to extortion, grand theft, and other charges, the Los Angeles SEE DINE-AND-DASH PAGE 11
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