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Former San Gabriel Police Chief Gene Harris takes the helm as Pasadena PD’s chief

By Staff

Monterey Park COVID: Free athome tests, vax clinic in January

By Staff

Police Chief Gene Harris. | Photo courtesy of the city of San Gabriel

On Jan. 3, Police Chief Gene Harris transitioned from the San Gabriel Police Department to become the new police chief for the city of Pasadena.

During his six-year tenure Harris led with a focus on policies that engaged the community and promoted team-oriented techniques. The SGPD developed close relationships with community organizations including the Lions Club, San Gabriel Kiwanis Club, La Casa de San Gabriel and the Asian Youth Center, according to a city of San Gabriel statement.

“I’m honored to have served the San Gabriel community and interacted with so many wonderful people here,” Harris said in a statement. “It has been a great experience in the City of San Gabriel, and it has helped me further develop my skills and understanding in my quest to become an exemplary public servant.”

To encourage leadership development within the department, Harris connected the SGPD with training at the national level aimed at enhancing its knowledge of law enforcement practices and leadership skills. Officers attended programs at agencies that included the FBI National Academy, West Point Leadership Program and POST Command College.

Harris, who was president of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association and a member of the California Police Chiefs Association, also created the SGPD’s Community Engagement Bureau “to better engage with the community, provide mental health evaluation and serve as a resource at San Gabriel schools,” officials reported.

“Chief Harris is an important part of the San Gabriel city leadership team. I’m grateful for his work fostering next-generation leaders and developing SGPD into a community-focused police department,” San Gabriel City Manager Mark Lazzaretto said in a statement. “We will miss his infectious laugh, positive attitude and excellent leadership. We wish him the best of luck for his next adventure.”

Harris has nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, according to the city of Pasadena’s announcement. A former Marine, Harris started in law enforcement as a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, then served for 23 years in the Monterey Park Police Department where he attained the rank of captain. In 2016 he became San Gabriel’s police chief.

Along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego, Harris is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Program, POST Command College and the FBI National Academy, according to Pasadena’s announcement.

Harris has also served on numerous professional organizations and authored a book, “The Zero Stress Zone, a Layman’s Guide to Stress Management.”

“Chief Harris is a wellknown leader in law enforcement. His interpersonal and communication skills and his proven approach to proactive and community policing will bring about the effective implementation of ever-evolving best practices to keep our community safe,” Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez said in a statement. “I am confident he will lead our peace officers with distinction and will become an invaluable member of the greater Pasadena community.”

In a statement Harris said he is “honored to be entrusted with this amazing opportunity and … humbled by the responsibility to our residents, visitors, and the men and women of our department. Together, we will continue to enhance the culture of proactive community policing and exceptional service to our stakeholders.”

As San Gabriel officials search for a new police chief, SGPD Capt. Riki Nakamura will serve as interim chief.

A COVID at-home test. | Photo courtesy of Jernej Furman/Flickr (CC-BY-2.0)

The city of Monterey Park is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to all residents who want them, and a free vaccination clinic is scheduled for Jan. 12 in Barnes Park, the city announced earlier this month.

COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations are increasing in Los Angeles County coinciding with the holiday season. In addition to strongly recommending indoor mask-wearing, Department of Public Health officials recommend COVID testing before attending social gatherings -- especially if a get-together includes people at increased risk such as the elderly or people with preexisting medical conditions.

Monterey Park, which has a population of about 60,000, has had a total of 16,804 COVID cases and 263 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began, according to LA County data.

Free coronavirus test kits, which the Chinatown Service Center donated, are available at Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and the Langley Senior Center. There is a limit of two boxes per person.

On Jan. 12, the Monterey Park Fire Department and Chinatown Service Center will provide a free vaccination clinic from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Barnes Park on the grassy area east of the tennis courts between City Hall and the gymnasium. The clinic will provide Pfizer and Moderna booster vaccines in addition to flu shots. Appointments are not required, and everyone age 6 months or older is eligible as long as six months have passed since receiving a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine.

The county health department runs a drive-up-only testing site in Monterey Park at East Los Angeles College, 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez. No appointment is necessary, and information is available at covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.

Langley Senior Center is located at 400 West Emerson Ave. The center is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Bruggemeyer Library is at 318 South Ramona Ave. The library's hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Starting Jan. 3, the library will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.