As South Pasadena prepares its next fiscal budget, newly appointed Police Chief Elmore promises closer community ties and vital modernizations to keep neighborhoods secure. From upgrading an aging 911 dispatch center to revitalizing the local Block Watch, the department is gearing up for a safer, more connected future.
For many local residents, true neighborhood safety means knowing the officers patrolling their streets and having state-of-the-art emergency services just a phone call away. That vision of community-focused policing took center stage during the special joint meeting of the South Pasadena City Council and Finance Commission on the evening of Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The session highlighted the city’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with crucial public safety enhancements.
Clearing up the Budget
Assistant City Manager Nick Kimball opened the discussion by summarizing recent community budget meetings, noting that residents primarily voiced concerns regarding street conditions, traffic, and pedestrian safety.
When the floor turned to the South Pasadena Police Department, Police Chief Elmore introduced the proposed 2026-2027 budget, which shows a net increase of about 12 percent.
Mayor Rossi was quick to clarify the numbers for the public viewing at home. She explained that the perceived 12 percent jump is actually a cost accounting change rather than a true increase in expenditures.
Funds for vehicle replacement, vehicle maintenance, and self-insurance are now being appropriately allocated directly to the police department rather than being drawn broadly from the city’s general fund.
Modernizing Emergency Response and Problem Solving
Chief Elmore shared several significant department milestones from the past year, reflecting the ongoing dedication of the detective bureau.
Key operational accomplishments discussed included:
• Successfully prosecuting a tragic child homicide case involving a four-month-old infant.
• Elevating a DUI case to a homicide charge after a repeat offender, traveling over 100 miles per hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone, caused a fatal collision.
• Thwarting a burglary ring with the assistance of the city’s Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR).
The department answered over 25,000 calls for service this past year and is currently in the process of securing a $1 million grant. This vital funding will be used to upgrade South Pasadena’s outdated analog radio system and 911 dispatch center to a digital platform.
Moving to a digital system will significantly improve communication with neighboring agencies, bringing South Pasadena up to modern technological standards for emergency response.
Revitalizing Neighborhood Watch and Outreach
Looking ahead, Chief Elmore is heavily focused on community integration. The department plans to bring back the “National Night Out” event this fall to foster direct, positive engagement between officers and residents.
Additionally, the city is actively working to hire a civilian crime analyst. This new role will be responsible for releasing weekly crime reports and reinvigorating the city’s Block Watch program.
During the session, Mayor Pro Tem Ferguson thoughtfully suggested exploring ways to consolidate the management of the Neighborhood Watch and the city’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) under this new civilian position to ensure long-term programmatic viability.
The city’s unhoused outreach efforts were also lauded by the council, particularly the continued weekday partnership with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the L.A. CADA program. These dedicated, un-uniformed specialists actively assist unhoused individuals by providing food, obtaining IDs, and connecting them with vital job and housing resources.
Get Involved
To stay informed on the 2026-2027 budget adoption and future public safety initiatives, residents are deeply encouraged to participate in upcoming city meetings.
The City Council meets regularly at South Pasadena City Hall, located at 1414 Mission Street. To review meeting agendas, watch live broadcast recordings of the budget study sessions, or contact city officials, visit the city’s official website at southpasadenaca.gov.
