Homicide Spree in Pomona: 36 Murders in ’89

With a quarter of the year still remaining, the city of Pomona has recorded more homicides--36--than in any year since the city was founded in 1888.

Police Chief Richard Tefank said the increase reflects the easy accessibility of handguns and semi-automatic weapons and a breakdown in moral values, but it is difficult to pinpoint an overriding cause. He said other cities in the state are also experiencing homicide increases. The number of homicides in Pomona rose from 18 in 1984 to 24 in 1985, to 28 in 1986 and to 35 in 1987. It fell to 28 last year and reached this year’s record 36 when four persons were killed on Pomona streets last weekend.

General Increase

Tefank said state statistics for cities with more than 100,000 population show an 11.3% increase in homicides in the first six months of this year, compared with the first half of 1988.

Pasadena, the only other San Gabriel Valley city with more than 100,000 residents, has recorded 15 homicides so far this year. It had 23 last year and a record 31 in 1985.

Tefank said violence is becoming increasingly deadly in Pomona because of the types of guns being used. It is not uncommon now, he said, to have incidents in which 25 or 30 rounds are fired.

“Five years ago we didn’t see that kind of firepower,” he said.

Tefank said Pomona’s murders have ranged from domestic disputes to drug and gang battles. He estimated that 15 of the 36 murders so far this year were related to gangs or drugs.

The City Council has authorized an increase of 19 police officers this year, raising the department’s strength to 171. Because it takes 33 weeks from the time a police recruit enters the police academy until he is ready to patrol the city on his own, Tefank said, it will be a while before the department’s increased strength becomes evident.

Council’s Concern

The chief added that increasing the number of patrol cars may make streets safer, but cannot stop the violence. “The reality is that a police officer cannot be every place at every time,” he said.

City Council members expressed their concern about the violence at their meeting this week, and urged residents to assist police by coming forward with information. Mayor Donna Smith said, “A lot of members of the public see what’s going on” and could help.

Councilman Mark A. T. Nymeyer said Pomona’s problem is common nationwide.

“We’re living in a society where people solve their problems with violence,” he said.