Police: Downtown incidents on Veterans Day lead to arrest, weapon confiscation
Palm Springs police said Tuesday a frightening scene that played out during the city’s annual Veterans Day Parade on November 11 and subsequent reports of shots fired Downtown were the result of a fight between area youth.
The incident occurred at approximately 4 PM when officers in the 100 block of North Palm Canyon Drive began chasing a suspicious person on foot during the parade. Officers pursued the suspect across the parade route, alarming many gathered to watch the event.
“A lot of people said this seemed like a scene out of a movie,” Palm Springs Police Department Sgt. Frank Guarino said Tuesday morning during a Main Street Palm Springs meeting, adding that officers who got into a physical confrontation with the subject suffered minor injuries and that the suspect, a juvenile, was placed under arrest.
Guarino reported that that incident was just one of several on what amounted to a busy Thursday evening for police. Officers were later called to the 200 block of North Palm Canyon Drive for reports of shots fired at 6:40 PM, and then to a restaurant in the 100 block of North Palm Canyon Drive at 8:15 PM where another set of juveniles were reportedly harassing an employee. The incidents are believed to be related to a dispute between juveniles.
Guarino said shell casings were discovered during the investigation of shots fired, and a gun was taken from a juvenile during the alleged harassment incident. A window was also reportedly shot out of a nearby vehicle during the shots fired incident.
Another report of shots fired, in the 1500 block of East San Rafael Drive, was reported later that evening. During that incident, Guarino said, a suspect shot at a passing vehicle.
“We are continually investigating all the shots fired calls up in the north end of our city,” Guarino said. “Unfortunately, a lot of that happens daily.”
Another incident involving the harassment of an employee — this one at the Starbucks in the 600 block of South Palm Canyon Drive — could lead to a restraining order against a member of the city’s homeless community.
Guarino said the city’s closure of nearby Baristo Park, nicknamed “Heroin Park” by some in the community, has caused additional homeless individuals to spread out to the Sunny Dunes neighborhood where the coffee shop is located. Its interior lobby has been closed since early October after multiple reports of run-ins with homeless individuals.
One employee, in particular, has been targeted by a homeless individual, Guarino said, leading to the employee fearing to come to work. Guarino said police have been speaking with Starbucks management in hopes the company will pursue a restraining order against the person reportedly harassing the employee.
“We bring the suggestions up to the employers,” he said, adding that due to the size of Starbucks, “a lot of time that suggestion has to go up through corporate and the company’s legal team.”
BRIEFLY
HIKING RESCUE: Firefighters Tuesday rescued a hiker who was injured on the South Lykken Trail around 2:15 PM. Following the rescue, a California Highway Patrol helicopter was dispatched to transport the hiker to a local hospital after being treated by paramedics at the scene. The extent of the hiker’s injuries and how those injuries occurred were unknown. Palm Springs Fire Department Capt. Nathan Gunkel said crews have been dealing with a rise in hiker rescues. Tuesday’s was the fourth in the past week, including an incident in Indian Canyons where a hiker was critically injured.
PRIDE FEEDBACK: Organizers of the annual Greater Palm Springs Pride events are looking for feedback from the community following this year’s festivities, which ran the week of November 1 through 7. On Tuesday, Pride President Ron deHarte said that anyone who has feedback about the event’s impact on the city or residents, or any other aspects of the annual celebration, can provide the feedback via this form.
BENEFIT DINNER: A dinner under the stars is being planned next month to benefit the family of a flower vendor known to many at farmers’ markets in the Coachella Valley. Christiana Green, whose business, Epic Health, was part of the farmers’ market in Palm Springs for three years, said vendors from the Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage certified farmers’ markets are coming together to prepare a farm to table dinner on December 11 and 12. The dinner will benefit the family of Ismael Resendiz Jr., a flower vendor who passed away in August. The Golf Center at Palm Desert, located at 74945 Sheryl Ave., will host the event from 4:30 until 9 PM each evening. Tickets are available online here for December 11 or here for December 12. In addition, tickets may be purchased at the Indian Wells market on Thursdays from 8 AM until 2 PM or the Rancho Mirage market on Fridays from 8 AM until 2 PM.
TODAY’S CALENDAR
SPEAKER SERIES SOLD OUT: The next event in the 3rd Wednesday Speakers Series is at 5:30 PM at Mizell Center, 480 South Sunrise Way. A screening of L.A. A Queer History – Where It All Began, a film by Gregorio Davila, will precede a moderated talk with the filmmaker. The screening is a free event, but is listed as sold out. Contact Ector Simpson at EctorS@Mizell.org to inquire whether any seating might become available. The Post is a proud community sponsor of this event.
MIZELL EVENTS: The Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, offers a jam session, a bereavement support group, a knitting circle, and more, starting at 8 AM. A complete list of everything offered can be found online here.
MOBILE HEALTH: A mobile health clinic will be parked at the James O. Jesse Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 W. Tramview Rd., from 9 AM until 4 PM. Operated and staffed by Borrego Health, the mobile unit will provide a variety of medical services for residents.
BOOK CLUB: Join the Morning Coffee Book Club (formerly the Afternoon Coffee Book Club) where Scott Biegen, a Palm Springs Public Library (and English teacher in a previous life), leads a book club meeting on Zoom at 10:30 AM. More information, including the book club’s current selection, can be found here.
HORA DE CUENTOS: La bibliotecaria Nancy Valdivia lee cuentos, canta canciones y enseña conceptos de aprendizaje temprano (miércoles en español y jueves en inglés) para estudiantes de preescolar de 10:30 AM a 11:30 AM Puedes ver los videos en YouTube aquí.
SUNSHINE SISTERS: Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters will have a mandala dot rocking class at a private home today at 1 PM. You can sign up to be part of the group — formed to help women make new connections and friendships — on Meetup here.
AIRPORT COMMISSION: The Palm Springs Airport Commission meets at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Information about that meeting, including how to attend, can be found here.
ARTS COMMISSION: The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission meets at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Information about that meeting, including how to attend, can be found here.
PLANNING COMMISSION: The Palm Springs Planning Commission meets at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Information about that meeting, including how to attend, can be found here.
MEASURE J: The Palm Springs Measure J Oversight Commission holds a special meeting at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Information about that meeting, including how to attend, is available here.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
TURKEYS AVAILABLE: Erkies Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning owner Dane Feldman are once again providing free turkeys for those in need in the community. This year, 400 Thanksgiving dinner tables throughout greater Palm Springs will have a turkey, thanks to Feldman. The giveaway will be held on Thursday in the Palm Springs Air Museum parking lot, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, beginning at 3 PM.
NEXT PLAY AT PALM CANYON: The Del Shores and Palm Springs love affair continues with the Palm Springs premiere of This Side of Crazy, slated for this weekend at Palm Canyon Theatre, starting Thursday. The performance follows the successful run of Shores’ Sordid Lives in September. Tickets are $29.50 ($15.00 for students). They can be purchased online at PalmCanyonTheatre.org, via phone at 760-323-5123, or at the box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM until 4 PM. You can find aA complete preview of the play in The Post here.
SINATRA CELEBRATION: Palm Springs Point of View, a YouTube channel that covers “Eats, Art and Culture” in Palm Springs and elsewhere in the Coachella Valley, is holding its next Martinis and Moxie event on Friday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Rd., at 6 PM. Tickets for that event are available here.
TAHQUITZ CREEK CLEANING: The Tahquitz Creek Yacht Club meets to clean up a portion of Tahquitz Creek Channel at 8 AM Saturday. Volunteers gather at the south end of the footbridge at South Camino Real and South Riverside Drive. You can find the club’s Facebook page here and contact the club via email at tahquitzcreekyachtclub@gmail.com.
DESERT WINDS OPENS SEASON: Desert Winds Freedom Band presents its Fall Concert titled A Night on Broadway on Saturday, November 20 at 7 PM. Tickets for the performance, held at Temple Isaiah, 332 West Alejo Rd., can be purchased here. The band returned to in-person rehearsals in September and is embarking on its 20th Anniversary concert season under the leadership of Artistic Director Dean McDowell. You can learn more about the band and listen to recent virtual performances at its website here.
CABARET SHOW: Douglas Graham, featured in The Post’s Palm Springs Profiles recently, makes his sixth appearance for Les Michael’s “Cabaret On Sundays Series” Sunday, November 21, at The Joslyn Center’s Arthur Newman Theater, 73750 Catalina Way in Palm Desert. Graham will feature some songs, dances and stories from his Broadway & touring company productions over his long career during the performance. Doors open at 2 PM and the performance begins at 3 PM. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door. For more information, or to make reservations, call 760-202-1111.
BENEFIT RUNS: Registration for the city’s annual Wild Turkey Trot 5K is open now at runpalmsprings.com, as well as active.com and racewire.com. The event is held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, at 8 AM, and offers entrants a chance to get in some exercise before Thanksgiving dinner. It starts at 100 North Palm Canyon Drive. Registrants for the event receive a T-shirt, a medal, and more. The run benefits local charities. Questions? Feel free to contact Molly Thorpe, the race director, at 760-413-6508. Another Thanksgiving Day run, which helps Martha’s Village and Kitchen, is being held virtually this year. More information on that event, sponsored by Fortem Financial, can be found here.
NOMINATIONS OPEN: The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission continues to accept nominations today for its annual Community Service Awards that recognize individuals and organizations for “Promoting Universal Human Rights Close to Home.” Information about how to nominate a person or organization can be found here. The deadline for submitting nominations is Wednesday, December 1.
DESERT JAM: The annual benefit for Palm Springs-based Well in the Desert — Desert Jam 2021: Jammin’ for the Well — is slated for Monday, December 6 at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino ballroom in Rancho Mirage at 6 PM. All proceeds benefit The Well’s work to feed and provide for those experiencing homelessness in our community. More information, including how to purchase tickets for the event can be found here or by calling 760-285-7297.
POLICE AND FIRE EVENT: The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce is taking reservations for its annual Police & Fire Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, December 7, from 11:30 AM until 1 PM at the Palm Springs Convention Center. More information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities is available here.
