Scroll down for more stories.

Protecting Pasadena Businesses: Copper Wire Thefts Target Rooftop Air Conditioning Units

The Pasadena Police Department is urging business owners and property managers to remain vigilant following a recent increase in copper wire thefts from rooftop air conditioning units throughout the city.

Recently, Pasadena businesses have fallen victim to these costly crimes, with losses often totaling thousands of dollars.  Among the latest victims are Sweet Red Peach on Arroyo Parkway and Petsadena Pet Hospital on South Raymond Avenue.  Although both businesses have remained open, the thefts have created unexpected financial burdens, including the purchase of portable air conditioning units, ice, and other temporary cooling solutions.  With soaring high temperatures in recent days, the loss of air conditioning has also created difficult working conditions for employees and uncomfortable environments for customers.

Rooftop HVAC units are particularly attractive targets because they are often out of public view and located on flat commercial buildings that are relatively easy to access.  Many affected businesses are tenants, making it equally important for property owners and landlords to take proactive steps to protect their buildings.

The Pasadena Police Department recommends a layered approach to security by:

  • Restricting access to rooftops whenever possible
  • Installing heavy-duty, tamper-resistant steel cages around rooftop HVAC units
  • Keeping ladders secured and locked away when not in use
  • Installing motion-activated security cameras that immediately alert business owners or property managers to unauthorized rooftop activity
  • Working with landlords and property managers to ensure rooftop equipment is properly protected

In addition to the financial impact, copper theft poses significant safety risks.  Individuals attempting to steal copper wiring often cut live grounding lines or tamper with electrical transformers, placing themselves at risk of serious injury or death.  These crimes can also leave behind exposed electrical wires, creating fire hazards, traffic dangers, and the potential for severe electrical shocks to unsuspecting members of the public and utility workers.

The Pasadena Police Department encourages anyone who observes suspicious activity around commercial buildings or rooftops to report it immediately.  If you have information regarding these or other copper theft investigations, please contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.

Working together, businesses, property owners, and the community can help deter these crimes and protect Pasadena’s commercial corridors.

Pasadena Housing Providers Circulating Petition for Ballot Measure to Revise Measure H (Rent Control) Initiative.

A group of residential rental property owners fired following the passage of Measure H (rent control) in Pasadena. The group is now circulating a petition to place a measure on the ballot to change some of the more onerous provisions of Measure H. You can find their rationale here and a request for donations here:

Impact Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center to Honor Pasadena Police Department Command Staff

The City of Pasadena is proud to announce that the Pasadena Police Department Command Staff has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the “Outside the Box” Award at the Impact Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center’s annual gala. This recognition highlights the department’s longstanding collaboration with the recovery community and its commitment to innovative approaches that support public safety and wellness.

Travel and Leisure Features Pasadena

Pasadena was featured in Travel and Leisure magazine. Read the article here: https://www.travelandleisure.com/pasadena-california-guide-12021329

LISC LA has Grants for Small Businesses and Webinar Series 

The LISC LA webinar series begins July 29 at 10 AM with the Smart Supply Workshop: Inventory & Vendor Strategies, which is open to wildfire-impacted business owners and the broader public. The series will feature subject matter experts providing practical guidance on key topics including inventory management, digital marketing and AI tools, navigating insurance claims, and cash flow management. By connecting business owners with trusted advisors, resources, and actionable recovery strategies, the program will equip local businesses with the tools needed to navigate the recovery with confidence. Learn more and register for the webinar series at lariseandrenew.org/events-1.

Here is all the info: 


 

LA Rise and Renew Webinar series


 

City Considering Parcel Tax to Fund Fire Station Repair

The Pasadena City Council is drafting a new parcel tax to raise about $30 million annually to rebuild earthquake-vulnerable fire stations. If finalized, it will go to voters on the November 3, 2026 ballot and require a two-thirds majority to pass. 

The city is considering a tax rate based on developed square footage rather than a flat fee. Staff proposed a rate of $0.24 per square foot, which would cost roughly $384 per year for a median 1,600-square-foot home.

Current and recently renewed parcel taxes in the area include:

  • City Library Tax: Voters renewed a library parcel tax in 2022 (currently $41 per year for single-family homes).
  • School District Tax: Voters passed Measure EE in 2024, which levies a flat $90 per parcel per year for eight years to fund PUSD educational programs. 

Like the proposal? Hate it? 

You can make your voice heard by emailing your City Council Member. 

Mayor and Council Member Emails

LISC LA with funding from BMO Bank have grants for a limited number of small businesses. 

Priority will be given to businesses based in the following “venue cities”:Los Angeles | Long Beach | Inglewood | Santa Monica | Pasadena | Carson | Venice Beach | El Monte | Pomona | Arcadia

For: Small businesses with annual revenue up to $250,000. Startups and micro-businesses with growth potential. Entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to accessing capital. Business owners committed to strengthening their communities through local hiring, service, or economic activity. 

Application Details:

Here is more info: 

Be Careful on Social Media

Facebook now generates more scam losses than all text and email scams combined.

Social media scam losses hit $2.1B in 2025—eight times higher than in 2020. Nearly 30 percent of everyone who lost money to a scam said it started on social media.

Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp.

Why social media works so well for scammers:

They use the same targeting tools as legitimate advertisers. They can reach exactly the right victim by age, location, and interests.

Business Resource Fair - English-Final.png

Located on Colorado Boulevard? Route 66 Historic Preservation Grants Available

CHR66A is pleased to invite you to a Zoom meeting regarding available Route 66 grants! 

 The Road Ahead Partnership announced its next round of Preservation and Economic Development Micro-Grants.  

There will be 14 grants of $2,500 each. Four of these grants are reserved for Auto Repair facilities located on Route 66.  

The grant applications must be submitted online no later than July 27.  More information can be found at route66centennial.org.  

Grant Coaching Session!  Lynne Miller, CHR66A Trustee and our grant specialist, has scheduled a Zoom meeting at 9:00 am on Wednesday, July 8, to discuss the grant and, hopefully, provide helpful hints for completing the application.  

The California Historic Route 66 Association invites you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.; Topic: Preservation /Economic Development  Grant Opportunity; Time: Jul 8, 2026 09:00 AM Pacific Time(US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9611945998?pwd=ckhmQktEYzZTVC9Xc25hUjRXT3VmUT09&omn=85491288539

Meeting chat link https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/85491288539

Free Concert Series Returns to Pasadena’s Memorial Park Bandshell 

Ten Saturday shows will fill the historic Gold Shell through September, backed by a new three-year grant

A season of 10 free outdoor concerts opens at Memorial Park on Saturday, July 11, marking the first Levitt-branded music series at the park’s Art Deco bandshell since 2017.

The Levitt VIBE Pasadena Music Series will bring shows to the park’s 1930 “Gold Shell” every Saturday through Sept. 12, from 6 to 10 p.m., at 85 E. Holly St. in Old Pasadena. The series is presented by the Pasadena Recreation and Parks Foundation (PRPF) and the city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, in partnership with the Old Pasadena Management District, according to a City of Pasadena press release announcing the season.

Here is a link to the PasadenaNOW story: https://pasadenanow.com/main/free-concert-series-returns-to-pasadenas-memorial-park-bandshell-july-11-after-nearly-a-decade-long-break

Minimum Wage Increased to $18.57 per Hour in Pasadena Beginning July 1, 2026.

Pasadena’s citywide minimum wage increased to $18.57 per hour for all businesses—regardless of size—effective July 1, 2026. This marks a $0.53 increase from the previous $18.04 rate and applies to both adult and minor employees who work two or more hours per week in Pasadena.

Required Postings: Employers are legally required to display the official poster. You can download it here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/code-compliance/minimum-wage-ordinance/

LA28 Informational Webinars Open to Anyone Seeking Information on Vending, Tickets, Volunteering and More

You are invited to join LA28's Community Relations team for  "First Friday's" webinars. Please use this link to register: LA28 Community Relations “First Fridays” Webinar Series. 

As a reminder, these webinars provide high level updates on progress towards the 2028 Games. These are easy ways to listen in and hear the latest from our community relations team. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions.

You are encouraged to share the information about the webinar widely. All registered guests will receive the Microsoft teams link the Thursday evening prior to the webinar.

LA28 Opportunities

This opportunity has been posted on RAMPLA for Olympics. Business Must Be Registered in RAMPLA.org to be considered.

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure LA28 Olympic & Paralympic procurement opportunities are accessible, we are sharing the following new & reposted Expression of Interest Forms (EIO) on RAMP LA:

Name: LA28 - Wood Flooring for Sport Courts and Subfloors
Link: https://www.rampla.org/s/procurement-announcement-details?id=a1NQl000003jFh7
Post Open Date: 06/10/2026
Due Date: 06/26/2026

Name: (Re-post) LA28 - Ecommerce Marketing Sourcing Activity
Link: https://www.rampla.org/s/procurement-announcement-details?id=a1NQl000003TrnB
Post Open Date: 06/10/2026
Due Date: 06/17/2026

You can register for RAMPLA and receive notifications here: https://www.rampla.org/s/user-registration

Be part of the solution - support Make Real Change - help prevent homelessness in our community

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Foundation is reviving the community effort to alleviate homelessness in our community. Working with Friends in Deed, we are raising money to support the effort to prevent homelessness in the greater Pasadena area.

100% of funds raised will be donated to Friends in Deed to support their efforts to keep people housed.

You can find more information here: https://pasadenachamberfoundation.org/about

You can donate here:  https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=T3OFLZ9DlmE5hEbtta6MaXXq6DzGFbOoyNkTSNBT4n84jiggy4Lbqu31h9n1rANT1uxXfg2wp7IKdtR_

We hope to engage the business community in our efforts. You can put a poster in your window, inform your customers about the initiative nd donate to make areal difference in the lives of families at risk of homelessness.

Pasadena Water and Power commercial electric customers are eligible for a rebate

PWP commercial electric customers are eligible for a rebate of $0.40 / Watt, up to a maximum of $80,000 per meter, when they purchase and install a new, permanent, rooftop solar PV system or expand an existing system.

For a limited time! PWP is not charging plan review and inspection fees for solar and battery systems. The fee waivers apply only to PWP‑related solar and battery project costs. Structural, Building & Safety, meter, and other non‑energy‑related fees may still apply.

Installing a rooftop solar PV system on your business is an environmentally conscious way to offset your energy usage, contribute to the City of Pasadena’s climate action goals, and save on your utility bill. In addition, when combined with on-site battery storage, the excess green energy produced from solar panels can be stored within the battery unit, which can allow for an independent source of power during utility outages and provide critical grid flexibility.

Click here for more info.