By Nicole MOORE

The Oct. 5 meeting of the Montrose Shopping Park Association began with a somber tone as President Andre Ordubegian remembered those who lost their lives in the recent Las Vegas attack.

“Before we start, I want to offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims and family members of those who lost their lives [during] last week’s shooting,” he said. “Our hearts and prayers are with them.”

Ordubegian then requested a moment of silence by the attendees of the MSPA meeting.

“In our society right now all these things are happening because of hate. The only way to beat hate is loving one another and that’s how a good community starts happening,” added Ordubegian.

Lt. Oscar Rodriguez, of the Glendale Police Dept., also shared a few words regarding the recent attack.

“These are very challenging times right now. Things are tough all over the place. [The Glendale Police Dept.] is taking this very seriously. We are looking at what’s trending now and what will happen in the future. At the Glendale Police Dept., we’ve had visions of things like this happening,” said Rodriguez. “If you see something, say something.”

He also said there are various programs in place at the Glendale Police Dept. to better city safety. Officers now carry tourniquets during routine calls and currently there are four paramedics on staff. Additionally, Glendale PD has rolled out a mental health evaluation program and a homeless outreach team. He said that calls to the Glendale Police Dept. concerning mental illness have gone up 27% since 2016 and calls regarding homeless individuals have gone up 34% since 2016.

Grant Petrosian, owner of Financing American Mortgage, then took the podium. Petrosian expressed interest in moving his offices to the currently vacant Citibank property located on Honolulu Avenue.

Finally, members of the MSPA reminded foothill residents to shop locally.

“You are [able to shop] with your full senses [at the Montrose Shopping Park]. Online you don’t have the full experience,” said Ken Grayson of Grayson’s Tune Town.

The MSPA’s next meeting, open to the public, will be held on Nov. 2 at 8 a.m. at Glendale Community College’s Personal Development Center, 2340 Honolulu Ave.

  Nicole MOORE