Tag Archives: Burbank Police Department

Burbank Police, Target Make Kids Holiday Wishes Come True

Leave a reply

On December 11, 2019, The Burbank Police Department teamed up with The Boys And Girls Club and Target to make some kid’s Christmas wishes come true.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

For the last several years  the Burbank Police Department has participated in what Officer Angela Burrows described as “One of Burbank’s most cherished Christmas time giving events.” This event is called “Heroes and Helpers”,  where young kids ages 5 to 13 get to pair up with one of several Burbank Police Officers and spend up to $100 on whatever the kids want to buy.

The event started around 5:30, with over 30 children and many of Burbank’s police force paired up as “Heroes and Helpers” voyaged into Target where kids lined the isles with smiles on their faces and toys in their hands. 

Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse  along with his Command Staff came by to greet the wonderful kids and said “I hope everyone enjoys this Christmas and I also hope all of you will grow up to do the right thing in life, which I have no doubt about ”

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

One young kid said “I am so grateful for this opportunity and for the Burbank Police”

After the shopping ended, the “Heroes And Helpers” departed to be served a delicious holiday meal, generously provided by the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Burbank, along with dessert, compliments of Porto’s Bakery. Children were also be presented with holiday gift and food baskets, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Burbank and Noon Rotary Club of Burbank

All in all the heart-warming event was a major success with Burbank’s finest putting smiles on faces of young scholars.

 

Burbank Police Apprehend Man in Hills Above Nature Center

Leave a reply

Burbank police combined their land and air skills to arrest a man after a report of a man in the hills with a possible rifle.

Around 2:55 pm on Monday police were called the the hiking trail above the Wildwood Canyon Nature Center for an individual who was allegedly hunting with a ‘long gun’ (rifle) according to Burbank Police Sergent Derek Green.

A police helicopter was dispatched to see if they could locate the man and they found an individual inside a tent with what appeared to be a long gun besides him. With Burbank police responding to the area, the air unit made an announcement over their loud speaker for the man to come down to officers. The commands were ignored.

“Due to reports that the man was possibly armed with a rifle or similar weapon, additional resources were deployed, which included members of the Burbank Police SWAT.” according to Green. He said the operation involved about 15 officers.

Over the next couple of hours, Burbank Police started to develop a plan to get to the man who had now started a small fire by the tent. They called in the Burbank Fire Department’s ‘Gator 16’, which is a four wheel drive vehicle used to navigate the hillside, to help transport officers up the hill. They also deployed their new drone to assist officers.

Once officers reached the small camp, the man immediately complied to officers and was taken into custody without further incident.

The Nature Center was closed during the incident and the staff was relocated to McCambridge Park during the operation.

Green said that once officers had the man in custody, they located two BB guns, a pistol and rifle, near his encampment.

The man, identified as Nelson Rivera, a 28-year-old transient, was placed under arrest for starting an unlawful fire. He is being held on $20,000 bail and was due in court Wednesday. Green said that formal charges are pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Green also reported that it appears that this was the same person contacted on December 5 near Burbank Blvd. and Whitnall Highway after reports of a man with a gun. 

According to the Burbank Police Facebook Page post at the time:

Burbank Police responded to the area of Burbank Blvd. and Whitnall Highway after someone reported seeing a man carrying a backpack with what appeared to be a rifle attached to it. The man reportedly had a “camping gear” backpack, and also a knife strapped to his leg (clearly visible and not concealed).

Police located and contacted the man. They determined the item to be a B.B. gun. Police officers documented the response and released the individual.

The B.B. gun was not brandished, was not used in the commission of a crime, was not fired, was not used to threaten anyone, was possessed legally, and did not violate the California Penal Code or the Burbank Municipal code. The knife was possessed and carried legally. Therefore, only a detention was made in order to investigate the report, which led to the determination that no crime had been committed. An arrest, or a detention beyond what was reasonably necessary to complete the investigation, was not justified in this case.

“There was no crime at that time.” according to Green.

 

UPDATED: Man Hospitalized After Home Invasion Robbery

Leave a reply

UPDATE: On Thursday morning, Burbank Police Sergent Derek Green released a little more information: “It is not known if the victim was specifically targeted. Detectives are continuing to investigate. The suspects are believed to be in their 30s.

According to the victim, this began when one of the suspects came to the front door and knocked several times. After not receiving an answer, it is believed the suspects went around to the back of the house before entering through the rear, unlocked door. This tactic has been seen before and are common in “knock-knock” or distraction type burglaries. The Burbank Police Department discourages citizens from answering the door to anyone they do not know or recognize, but encourage residents to make their presence known. Also, the Burbank Police Department urges residents to keep all doors locked at all times, even when home.  Report suspicious persons or activity to our non-emergency number, at (818) 238-3000.”

Green also said the man injuries were considered minor.

 

A Burbank man was rushed to a local trauma hospital after he called for help after two men broke into the back of his home Wednesday night on the 1100 block of West Palm Ave. just before 7:00 pm.

It was reported at the time that two men allegedly went to the front door and when the homeowner did not respond, they circled around to the back and entered the house. KNBC reported the man was 73 years old and that cash was taken from the residence.

The two men reported as possibly Armenian, left on foot. No vehicle was scene. Police arrived on the scene quickly and used air resources but were unable to find the suspects.

 

Burbank Police, School District Issue Statement on Threats

Leave a reply

With so many rumors and an Instagram post from a fake account that is identified as being an official Burbank Unified School District account, a joint statement from both the School District and the Police Department has been released.

Police have been making a physical presence on Wednesday at all the middle and high schools to help ease fears. Burbank Unified School District Superintendent Matt Hill sent out a statement on Monday about the post that had been posted on a fake Instagram post. The post alluded to the Mental Health and Wellness Centers in place (both Burroughs and Burbank have one in place). There is no mention of weapons in the post. There was a report of another alleged threat made for Wednesday but not confirmed.

While the post has been taken down, some report on social media that it has been on-line for about a month but after the shooting at Saugus High last week, it was brought to the attention of officials. The post has since been taken down but the account is still on-line and active.

Here is the official release that has been sent out:

November 20, 2019

The Burbank Police Department is committed to providing a safe and secure environment in and around school campuses in the city of Burbank. Together with the Burbank Unified School District, the Burbank Police Department investigates any act, behavior, or threat that places fear in the minds of students, parents, or staff, or that compromises their safety.

Earlier this week, the Burbank Unified School District was made aware of a posting on social media, as well as verbal rumors, regarding a perceived threat to John Burroughs High School. The Burbank Unified School District immediately reported the circumstances to Burbank Police. Since then, Burbank Police Detectives have conducted an investigation into the matter and identified a person responsible. The investigation has shown the threat was not credible.

This unfortunate scenario has become quite common in schools across the United States. Sadly, we often see an increase in false or fake school threats immediately following news of a school tragedy, such as the recent incident at Saugus High School.

The Burbank Police Department and Burbank Unified School District understand that rumors of a threat cause fear and anxiety in the minds of children and parents. Together, we want to assure you that incidents like these are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, with those responsible being held accountable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

As part of our response to this incident, the Burbank Police Department assigned additional uniformed personnel to John Burroughs High School this morning. Police officers were present not just for added security, but to interact with students and address any questions or concerns they may have had. In addition, police officers wanted to provide students with reassurance that we are all committed to their safety and well-being.

Communication is an important part of building a strong partnership with students and parents. Open communication is also a key component in maintaining safety in our schools. We all need to work together, as a community, to create a safe and supportive learning environment. We encourage parents to discuss these events with your children. It is quite common for threats to originate and/or circulate on social media. We ask parents to monitor the activities of their children on social media, and to report anything suspicious or unusual. We also ask that you emphasize the seriousness of this issue with your children.

The Burbank Police Department would also like to remind our community that any threat directed towards a student(s), faculty member(s), or school, is a crime. Anyone suspected of orchestrating such a threat, helping to spread rumors of a threat, or committing any act that jeopardizes the safety of our schools or causes a disruption in education, will be held accountable for their actions.

“Non-credible” Threat Made Against Burroughs High School

Leave a reply

Burbank Unified School District Superintendent Matt Hill sent out a message to parents on Monday morning about a nonspecific threat made to Burroughs High School.

Someone allegedly made a fake Instagram BUSD account and used it to make the threat. School officials are working with the Burbank Police Department to investigate.

Here is the letter from Hill sent to the parents:

Dear Parents, Guardians, and BUSD Staff,

I am communicating to inform you that we received information that students have heard about a non-credible threat that was made on a fake BUSD Instagram account. There was a post about a threat to John Burroughs High School. (This Instagram post has since been taken down). We are working with the Burbank Police Department to monitor this site and take appropriate action.

Please note that we take all threats seriously. If someone sees or hears something that is out of the ordinary, they need to report it to school administrators and/or the police. These types of threats are unlawful, regardless of intention, and may result in serious criminal and civil consequences that include possible financial restitution for hours spent on investigations.

Sincerely,
Matt Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Burbank Police Receive Traffic Education and Enforcement Grant

Leave a reply

The Burbank Police Department has received a $120,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a one-year traffic enforcement and education program. The money will fund various activities intended to reduce deaths and injuries on California roads.

“The safety of motorists and pedestrians on our roadways is a top priority for the Burbank Police Department,” said Chief of Police Scott LaChasse. “This grant supports our mission to continue educating the public through various enforcement campaigns throughout the year, in order to reduce the number of injuries and deaths attributed to traffic collisions and unsafe driving habits.”

The grant-related activities are for the 2020 federal fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The grant will be used for numerous programs and activities, including:

  • DUI and driver license checkpoints.
  • Patrols that specifically look for suspected alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers.
  • Patrols that focus on enforcing California’s hands-free cell phone law and vehicle code violations by drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
  • Patrols that focus on reducing the primary causes of crashes: unsafe speed, improper turns, running stop signs or traffic signals, right-of-way violations, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
  • Patrols that specifically look for seat belt and child safety seat violations.
  • Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted driving, impaired driving, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
  • Creating “Hot Sheets” to identify repeat DUI offenders.
  • Police Officer training in identifying suspected impaired drivers and conducting sobriety tests.

Funding for this grant is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Burbank Police Need Help Locating Missing Elderly Man

Leave a reply

The Burbank Police Department continues to look for an elderly man who left an assisted living facility on October 20, 2019.

Armando Alaniz, date of birth August 29, 1957, left Le Bleu Chateau assisted living facility (1911 Grismer Avenue, Burbank) sometime before 9:00 P.M. on October 20. He suffers from Dementia and is a diabetic. Mr. Alaniz has no known family and his whereabouts are unknown.

Mr. Alaniz has left the facility twice before, warranting other missing person investigations. In the past, he has been found looking for recyclables in various spots around the city.

At this time, no foul play is suspected.

Mr. Alaniz was last seen wearing a long sleeve gray shirt and gray sweat pants. He is 5’05”, 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Mr. Alaniz is possibly wearing an alarm bracelet from the living facility.

If anyone locates Mr. Alaniz, they are asked to call the Burbank Police Department, at (818) 238­3000, or their nearest law enforcement agency.

Major Accidents Keep Burbank Police and Fire Busy Saturday Evening

Leave a reply

Burbank Police and Fire Departments were kept busier than usual Saturday night when they were required at two different traffic accidents requiring rescue and extrication within minutes of one another.

A Burbank Accident Investigator collects evidence and measurements at the scene of this two-car head-on crash Saturday night. ( Photo by Ross A Benson)

The first accident occurred on Victory Blvd at California Street at 7:19 pm. The Fire Department dispatched a Full Rescue Response as it was reported with people trapped, upon there arrival they had two cars that appeared to have struck each other in the middle of the street head-on.  Paramedics found it was necessary to request an additional Rescue Ambulance to treat and transport additional victims from one of the autos. One of the patients the driver of one of the cars was transported to a local Trauma Center because of the extent of the injuries involved.

The Burbank Police Traffic Investigators responded to investigate the accident and determined that one of the cars that was traveling eastbound Victory Blvd had veered into oncoming westbound traffic striking the other auto.  They also determined that the driver of the eastbound auto was driving under the influence and had alcohol in his car. He was going to be treated and booked for driving under the influence.

Firefighters use the ‘Jaws of Life’ to cut this driver out of his overturned van Saturday night. ( Photo by Ross A Benson)

The second accident occurred only 24 minutes later in the 800 Blk of Hollywood Way where a van struck a parked car and rolled over on its side. That accident required a full rescue response as the driver was trapped inside his vehicle.

With Burbank Paramedics busy on the previous accident Fire Department Mutual Aid kicked in and a Glendale  Engine company and Advanced Life Support Ambulance was required to transport the victim who appeared to only suffer minor injuries. 

Both accidents required the major streets to be closed for an extended time for the investigations and clean up and cars. 

Burbank has had several major accidents within a week. On Thursday a motorcyclist was killed while traveling at a high rate of speed while going northbound on Glenoaks Blvd, and last Saturday night Burbank Police investigated another accident that occurred on Glenoaks near Walnut Ave were driving under the influence and speed were the contributing factors.

Burbank Police’s Newest Tool Flies High

Leave a reply

Burbank police recently debuted their newest weapon to fight crime and assist in investigations when they demonstrated their new drone recently at the Burbank Police Foundation’s Family Fun Day gathering at Johnny Carson Park last month.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The drone is a DJI Mavic P and is flown by one of six FAA certified and licensed operators, all of whom are sworn Burbank police officers. These six are the only personnel authorized to operate the drones. Police believe this model is a good, cost-effective entry-level drone and has been widely used by law enforcement agencies across the country.

Sergeant Derek Green, Public Information Officer for the Burbank Police Department, said they recently launched the drone program for use in public safety operations. “The drone program is still new and under a testing phase. The Burbank Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies have adopted drone programs after seeing the benefits and value they provide to public safety.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The drone program is in no way a replacement to our current air support operations (helicopter program), but rather, serves to supplement the helicopter and is a cost-effective alternative for small scale missions and operations.”

Burbank’s drone has already been launched on two missions. Both times it was used to capture aerial footage at two intersections where major serious traffic accidents had occurred.

“Both missions were conducted during the daytime, and after making public notification of the intended drone operation. These missions were conducted on October 9, 2019” according to Green.

While the use of a drone has in some instances been controversial, Green says that so far all the feedback from the public has been positive.

Police also do not take the use of the drone lightly and have set up several safeguards to make sure it is only used in the appropriate situations. At this time, only the Drone Program Manager, Burbank Police Captain Armen Dermenjian can authorize the use of the drone unless there is an emergency situation at which time the Watch Commander may authorize its deployment.

“The drone could be deployed during critical incidents, disasters or calamities (brush fires, earthquakes, floods, etc.), during active K-9 searches, search and rescue operations, crime scene investigations, or structure fires. We will not be deploying the drone for any surveillance operations,” said Green.

While the FAA says the public may personally operate a drone without a license, there are still limitations and recently private citizen drones have been seen in areas where firefighters are battling brush fires. Once a drone is seen during a brush fire, firefighters are forced to ground all of their aerial assault until the drone is grounded for the safety of the aircraft.

Burbank’s City Council saw the need to make sure rules and regulations were in place for drone operations when it came to public safety issues and also with the fact of a major airport in the City. The Burbank Police Department has put the Burbank Municipal Code of their website which you can see HERE.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

While the six police officers must also adhere to many of the restrictions, Green said, “There are certain exemptions for drones operated by law enforcement that are mostly applicable during emergency operations or critical missions, and most exemptions pertain to FAA rules and notification requirements.”

While Burbank’s drone is only a tool to help in extreme circumstances and investigations, it is not an attempt to spy on the public with many safeguards in place. It is a new technology that can help the department as we continue to progress into new technologies.

Burbank Police Going ‘Pink’ to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Leave a reply

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

October marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and once again the Burbank Police Department (BPD) is taking part by wrapping one of their  Ford Explorer Police Cruisers and one of their motorcycles in a vinyl matte pink color. On Tuesday, October 1 they unveiled the vehicles at Wrapix Imaging.

Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse spoke at the event, along with Deputy Chief Michael Albanese saying that “Breast Cancer Awareness Month has always been dear to our hearts, this is why the Burbank Police Department is happy to publicize this event by wrapping two of our vehicles in pink”.  

This will remind the public about the importance of regular breast cancer screening to promote early detection.

“It’s great to partner with the Burbank Police Department once again for this important cause,” said Adam Sumner, owner of Wrapix Imaging said in a press release. “We all know someone affected by this disease, so it’s important to us that we help in raising awareness and money for research.”

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

According to the Burbank Police Department, Wrapix Imaging and 3M Commercial Graphics have generously donated all of the vinyl wrap materials and labor. Wrapix Imaging is a family-owned company specializing in a wide variety of custom-printed graphics. It is also an authorized training and testing center for 3M. 

In addition to the two pink vehicles, the Burbank Police Officers will be wearing Burbank Police Pink Patches as part of the Pink Patch Project and will be selling them to the public with proceeds going to the City of Hope for cancer research. 

The Explorer will be displayed at different community events during October while the motorcycle will be in use during normal patrol operations. Anyone wishing one of the special patches may stop by the Burbank Police Headquarters at Orange Grove and Third Street and purchase one for $10.