With information provided to the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol
Since San Fernando resident Edward Perales, a convicted felon, was released on a reduced bail last week, he has been reported to increasingly harass neighbors without repercussions, despite reports to the San Fernando Police Department (SFPD).
Perales was taken into custody on Nov. 25 on an arrest warrant for a felon in possession of firearms. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms. Perales made bail on Nov. 27, after the cost of bail was reduced during his bench warrant hearing from $1 million to $50,000.
According to court documents, stipulations of the reduced bail included that Perales must, “obey all laws and orders of the Court,” “not own, use or possess any dangerous or deadly weapons, including firearms, knives or other weapons,” and submit his “person and property to search and seizure at any time of the day or night, by any probation officer or other peace officer, with or without a warrant, probable cause or reasonable suspicion.”
SFPD Sergeant CJ Chiasson confirmed this means that SFPD could search Perales without a warrant and apprehend him if he violates the law.
However, when neighbors contacted SFPD on Thursday, Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, regarding Perales’ behavior – which they reported included intimidation, threat of physical violence with a gun, harassment and what appeared to be the transfer of weapons wrapped in blankets in broad daylight – neighbors told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol that law enforcement never responded despite their multiple calls. SFPD for decades has made the claim that their officers have a three minute response time.
The next day they reached out again to SFPD and were told that the department was short-staffed because of the holiday.
“Does that mean our emergencies are basically put on hold until Monday?” questioned the neighbor.
After inquiries from the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol starting on Thanksgiving Day, Police Chief Fabian Valdez said he would “look into it” and that he didn’t have answers at the moment.
According to the SFPD blotter, “Press Release Report,” there were three patrols in the area between 2:46 p.m. to 4:48 p.m., however, the dispatcher failed to log the calls or dispatch any officers to the scene after the neighbor’s complaints around noon, when Perales was allegedly transferring weapons.
Valdez and Chiasson told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol that they were looking into the discrepancies and have now followed up with the neighbors.
On Monday, following the holiday weekend, neighbors said they finally received a callback from SFPD.
The alleged actions constitute a violation of the law and of court orders. Perales has reportedly told neighbors that he has “friends in high places,” insinuating he would not face repercussions.
His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 at 8:30 a.m. at the San Fernando Courthouse.
Eds Note: At press time on Wednesday, Dec. 4, officers conducted a search of Perales’ apartment and vehicle, exiting with both a metal bat and police baton. It appeared they did not remove any firearms. Neighbors maintain that Perales carried guns out of his car on Thanksgiving Day and reported it to police when it was occurring, but the SFPD log indicates they responded by patrolling the area three hours later. Valdez has encouraged residents to assist SFPD by being their “eyes and ears” and when they “see something, say something.”