Northeast Pasadena is in for a loud night on Wednesday as the U.S. military turns the long-vacant St. Luke Hospital site into a training ground, complete with helicopter flyovers, controlled explosions and simulated gunfire.
City officials say the noise will kick in around dusk and could continue late into the evening. Pasadena police will be stationed around the area to secure the perimeter and steer cars and pedestrians away from the action.
City spokesperson Lisa Derderian told the Los Angeles Times that the first round of activity is expected at about 8:30 p.m., with the operation running until roughly 12:30 a.m. The exercise will be held at the old St. Luke Hospital complex near Altadena Drive and Washington Boulevard and will not be open to the public or the media.
The city plans to push out real-time notices through social media, Nixle and reverse-911 while Pasadena police keep watch around the site.
St. Luke site has long, troubled history
The St. Luke Medical Center campus at 2632 E Washington Blvd. has been shut down since 2002 and has become a familiar boarded-up landmark, often used for film shoots and periodic cleanup efforts, according to Wikipedia. Years of vacancy and vandalism have turned it into a property the city keeps a close eye on, although officials stress that Wednesday night's military presence is a scheduled training exercise, not a response to any crime.
Why the city sent a warning
Officials describe the event as a routine military training drill similar to operations carried out in other cities across the country. Derderian told the Los Angeles Times that the city moved proactively to notify residents so people would not panic at the sound of helicopters, explosions and gunfire, especially with tensions already heightened during election week.
Fire, emergency and police personnel will be on standby throughout the exercise, and the city says there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
How to stay informed
Residents who want alerts about emergencies and major incidents are encouraged to sign up for Pasadena's notification tools, including the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System (PLEAS) and Nixle, and to follow the city's official channels for updates.
The City of Pasadena explains how to register for PLEAS, and the police alerts opt-in is available through City of Pasadena as well.
Officials say if something appears to be a real, unfolding emergency, residents should call 911. Otherwise, they advise checking the city's alerts and social feeds for guidance before assuming the worst.
