In the March Issue: Public Safety and Crime Prevention, Pet of the Month, and more!

A Message from the City Manager, Roubik Golanian

Can you believe it’s already March?! It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the New Year. I’m happy to say that we received a great response to last month’s survey. Thank you to everyone who participated! The results are in, and most of you would like to know more about public safety and crime prevention in the City of Glendale. So, let’s get started!

Glendale continues to be one of the safest cities of its size in California and the nation! All credit is due to those who serve us in blue. That’s no small feat. In addition to being ranked one of the safest cities of its size in the country, Glendale’s Police Department (GPD) has maintained a response time of 4 minutes and 33 seconds to emergency calls. In 2021, GPD engaged in over 104,000 calls for service, traffic stops, and field investigations, making almost 6,000 arrests.

The GPD has various projects and programs aimed at crime prevention, including the Security Camera Registration Program, Neighborhood Watch, Community Academy, and grant-funded traffic enforcement operations that take reckless drivers off our streets. Last year, GPD officers took 177 guns off the streets, a 73% increase from 2020 and a 133% increase over 2019. They continue to combat the flow of illegal drugs into our community, seizing over 170 lbs. of cocaine, 485 lbs. of methamphetamine, 50 lbs. of heroin, and 2,200 fentanyl pills in 2021. GPD also continues to aggressively address the traffic safety issues upon our roadways. Throughout 2021, GPD officers arrested 113 drivers for street racing and reckless driving while also issuing over 3,000 tickets for speeding.

The GPD is committed to improving the quality of life for all members of the Glendale community and assisting those in need. The CORE (Community Outreach Resources and Engagement) Bureau is a community-oriented problem-solving unit that provides support for mental illness and homeless outreach services. A recent grant-funded program called the 2021-2022 Emergency Solutions Grant has greatly assisted the CORE Bureau. Since the program start date in August 2021, the CORE Bureau has worked in conjunction with community groups, such as Ascencia, and enrolled 117 unhoused individuals into the program, connected them with housing and other services; and addressed long-term issues by way of education and continuum of care approach rather than enforcement. The GPD was also able to add a second mental health clinician to the CORE Bureau and recently teamed up with the Glendale Fire Department to have patients placed on 72-hour mental health evaluation holds transported by EMS rather than police.

Whether you live, visit, or work in Glendale, rest assured that the Glendale Police Department works tirelessly to keep our city safe. Follow @GlendalePD on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on what’s happening in the City.

I hope this was helpful! In an effort to address the survey responses, next month, I’ll discuss the second most requested topic: Elections 2022!

Deukmejian Wilderness Park- Stone Barn Grand Opening

You are hereby formally invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Stone Barn Nature Center at Deukmejian Wilderness Park on Saturday, March 19, 2022, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at 3429 Markridge Road, Glendale, CA 91214. 

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees can enjoy tours of the nature center, Rock wall, guided hikes and a chance to visit community booths!

We hope to see you there!

Virtual Community Meeting: Commercial Franchise & Mandatory Recycling Requirements

Learn more about the City’s new commercial franchise system through a virtual community meeting. Topics include the franchise hauler transition and new state recycling requirements. The meeting will be streaming on our website.

Creative Crosswalks — Bye Bye Blasé White

The City of Glendale has completed the installation of “Creative Crosswalks” at three locations. These improvements promote pedestrian safety while cultivating a sense of place and economic development. Bye bye blasé white stripes. Hello artful crosswalks that add an aesthetic to walking! The city used earth-tone colors and avoided using colors or shapes that could be confused with traffic signs, such as yellow, red, and reflective paint, and octagonal shapes.

Glendale’s Creative Crosswalks are installed at the following locations:

• Glendale Avenue and Broadway
• Wilson Avenue and Central Avenue
• Pacific Avenue and California Avenue

Check out the Glendale’s Citywide Pedestrian Plan!

GetSetUp: Live Online Learning Classes for Adults 50+

GetSetUp is a social learning platform for individuals 50+, taught by peers who are experts in their field. These live classes cover topics like digital learning, physical health, mental health, social health, and vocational health. Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Mandarin. Sign up here.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Spring Eggstravaganza 2022

Join us for our Annual Spring Eggstravaganza at Pacific Community Center on Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 10:00am-1:00pm. The event will feature a morning of arts & crafts, carnival games, face painting, Glendale ROCKS! Climbing Wall, prizes, an appearance by the Easter Bunny, and our highly anticipated EGG HUNT!

The event is free and open to the public. 

Organics Collection Begins April 1, 2021!

The City is taking a major step towards Zero Waste!  Starting April 1^st, residents and businesses can place organics (food and green waste) into the green trash  bin. 

Click here for more information.