Police Chief on New Year’s in Pasadena: “Zero Tolerance for Shenanigans”

“The City of Pasadena takes this event very seriously,” said Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, just two weeks ahead of the City’s biggest day of the calendar — New Year’s Day, when the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game will both take place.

Mayor Gordo joined Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris and Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin, along with Rose Bowl and Rose Parade officials, for a press conference at City Hall Thursday to emphasize the importance of safety on New Year’s Day.

The security presence will be substantial, with more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel coordinating operations, including over 250 officers from the Pasadena Police Department. Both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be strategically positioned throughout the event areas.

“This is our marquee day,” said Mayor Gordo, “and it will be our best day ever,” he added, evoking the Rose Parade’s theme, ‘Best Day Ever.”

“It really is a great day,” he continued. “It’s a day when we welcome the world, and we enjoy the parade, which is the Rose Parade, and the football game, which is the Rose Bowl game, at the stadium, the Rose Bowl stadium.”

The 136th Rose Parade, embracing the theme “Best Day Ever,” promises to be spectacular. The event will culminate in a Grand Finale featuring performances by singers Debbie Gibson and Betty Who, along with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Traditional floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units will complete the parade lineup.

Gordo added, “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy themselves all week long, and we expect that our hotels and restaurants will be very busy, and brimming with lots of fun and so we encourage everyone to make reservations early.”

But Gordo also emphasized that safety planning for New Year’s Day begins on January 2 of every year.

“We don’t wait until December to plan New Year’s Day,” he said.

Echoing that theme, Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris minced no words, saying, “Like every year, we will have a zero tolerance for shenanigans on New Year’s Day. So if you’re not here just to have a good time, and making sure others have the same good time, you’re probably going to run into members of my department.”

Harris also noted that there will be a strong police presence all throughout the parade route, “for making sure that this event will be a safe event. You’ll see a lot of presence from our local, state and federal partners. We’ll be all over the place and easy to find.”

The emphasis on security follows an incident at last year’s parade where quick response proved crucial. Officers successfully prevented potential injuries when they stopped a woman in her twenties who attempted to breach a barricade at Colorado Boulevard and Chester Avenue.

Fire Chief Chad Augustin also emphasized the importance of public safety on New Year’s Day.

“The first thing is fireworks,” he said. “Anything that we would be shooting off or into the air or at objects, like cars, is strictly illegal. And the other thing is bonfires.”

Augustin explained, “We have clear parameters for what you can use for a warming fire, like a commercial device that is a foot off the ground, and 25 feet away from a structure, is totally approved, but things like makeshift washing machine tubs that are filled with wood and lit, will not be tolerated.”

The Fire Department’s preparations are comprehensive, with approximately 15 additional fire agencies joining forces to monitor both the parade route and stadium areas.

Augustin also stressed the importance of being aware of one’s location along the parade route in case of any incidents.

“Check the intersection you are near, or any obvious landmarks,” he said, “In case something happens, you can let the police and fire know exactly where you are, so that they can help.”

Augustin also provided practical advice for parade-goers, recommending that attendees dress in layers, bring gloves and beanies, and stay hydrated, as weather conditions are expected to range from cold overnight to warm during the day. For those planning to secure prime viewing spots, the city will allow visitors to begin claiming spaces along Colorado Boulevard from noon on New Year’s Eve.

Rose Bowl CEO Jens Weiden also reminded everyone that the Rose Bowl parking lots will open at 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

“That’s going to be a great place for you to park,” he said, “and from there, it’s just a short walk up to the parade route, and back to your car or the stadium after the parade.”

The day’s festivities will include multiple events at the stadium. A public Fan Fest celebration begins at 9 a.m., with stadium gates opening at 11:30 a.m. Game ticketholders are advised to be seated by 1 p.m. to enjoy the pre-game activities before the matchup between Oregon and the winner of the December 21st game between Ohio State and Tennessee.

City officials strongly advise visitors to carefully check for temporary no-parking signs and other restrictions in advance. They emphasized that any vehicles found blocking emergency travel lanes or parked in restricted areas will be towed at the owner’s expense.