Provides “fiscal bridge” until revenue from possible 5-county sales tax increase measure on November ballot kicks in
By Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs and John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2026… The Office of Governor Newsom, the California Department of Finance and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on Friday reached an agreement on a $590 million loan for Bay Area transit agencies that will avert major service cuts at AC Transit, BART, Caltrain and SF Muni during the 2026-27 fiscal year that begins July 1. Negotiated in close coordination with the affected transit agencies — which together face a projected deficit of more than $800 million in the next fiscal year — the new agreement will sustain operations used by hundreds of thousands of daily transit riders across the region.
“California is following through in our support for Bay Area transit and the riders who rely on it every day,” said Gov. Newsom. “This agreement between my Administration and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission provides essential short-term financing to support Bay Area transit operations while the region works together on long-term funding solutions. Public transit is essential to our economy and to communities across California, and through continued partnership with regional and local agencies, we are delivering a more stable and reliable system – now and for the future.”
A regional funding measure authorized by the Legislature last year via state Senate Bill 63, authored by senators Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Jesse Arreguín of Berkeley, may appear on the November 2026 ballot in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. If the measure qualifies for the ballot and is approved by voters, it would establish a temporary 14-year sales tax to support transit operations. But these funds would not begin flowing until around July 1, 2027. The state loan provides a fiscal bridge until the sales tax dollars potentially could be available. (See related articles here and here)
“Today is a huge win for Bay Area transit and for both transit riders and drivers,” said Sen. Wiener. “For the past year, we’ve worked hard to craft a bridge loan to ensure BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit are not forced to enact massive service cuts — potentially going into a death spiral — as we build toward a regional revenue measure to stabilize and strengthen these systems for the long run. I’m proud of our work with regional stakeholders and the Governor to make this loan a reality. Public transportation is part of the Bay Area’s lifeblood, and we must do everything in our power to strengthen it and protect it from service cuts. So many Bay Area residents rely on transit to get to work, school, or family, and service cuts would also explode traffic congestion. We must not let this happen, and we won’t let it happen.”
Today’s agreement authorizes the loan to be funded no later than July 1, 2026, using money awarded but not yet allocated for Bay Area projects by the California Transportation Commission through the state Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Because many transit capital projects have long construction timelines and the TIRCP is continuously replenished, the loan is structured to uphold the state’s commitments to awarded projects while minimizing risk to project schedules.
“MTC greatly appreciates the time and energy the Department of Finance and the Governor’s office put into this loan negotiation,” said Commission Chair Sue Noack, who represents Contra Costa County and also serves as mayor of Pleasant Hill. “It was critical to reach agreement on funding that would avert major service cuts this year while also protecting the Bay Area’s priority capital projects and this agreement does just that.”
Consistent with state Senate Bill 105 enacted last fall, the loan agreement includes a clearly defined repayment structure, a guaranteed revenue source to secure the loan and an agreed-upon interest rate:
12-year repayment term, with interest-only payments during the first two years.
Repayment secured by the “revenue-based” portion of State Transit Assistance (STA) that goes directly to the transit agencies.
Variable interest rate tied to the state’s Surplus Money Investment Fund, ensuring the state is fully repaid at the same rate it would have earned had the funds remained in state accounts.
BART General Manager Bob Powers noted that his agency, “is currently developing detailed budget plans for two funding scenarios to close our projected $376 million operating deficit for Fiscal Year 2027 through either new revenue and efficiencies or through service reductions, station closures, fare increases, layoffs, and across-the-board internal cuts. A state loan gives us reassurance money will be available to continue to deliver the best service possible for the Bay Area. We are thankful to Governor Newsom and the Department of Finance for finding a path to fund transit operations during such an unprecedented scenario brought on by the pandemic and remote work. We also thank the Bay Area Legislative Caucus for their supportive efforts and look forward to working with the Legislature on early action to include the loan within the state budget.”
“This bridge loan will help us maintain Muni service for one crucial year for everyone who depends on transit to get where they need to go,” said Julie Kirschbaum, Director of Transportation at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which operates Muni. “We thank the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for its leadership and the Governor and the Department of Finance for their collaboration. We are deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Senator Scott Wiener, State Senator Jesse Arreguín, the Bay Area Legislative Caucus, the Board of Supervisors and the transit advocates who kept this loan alive last year. With this key agreement completed, securing the additional funding we need to address our ongoing deficit is the critical priority.”
“San Francisco’s recovery is essential to the success of our region and our state,” noted Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Our city cannot continue its comeback without a safe, reliable transit system. This agreement is a major step forward towards securing the bridge loan needed to sustain our comeback and ensure transit systems can continue serving the families, seniors, students, and workers who rely on them every day. We’re already delivering greater accountability and efficiency for Muni, and ridership is continuing to climb toward pre-pandemic levels. I’m grateful to our partners at MTC and Governor Newsom for finalizing the agreement and prioritizing our city and our region’s recovery.”
Caltrain General Manager Michelle Bouchard made a similar point, “We are so grateful to the Governor, our delegation members, and our state and regional partners for stepping in and supporting public transit in the Bay Area at this critical time. This loan will allow us to preserve the service that made Caltrain the fastest growing transit agency in the U.S.”
“For 65 years, AC Transit’s north star has been delivering safe, reliable, and affordable bus service to the East Bay,” said Salvador Llamas, AC Transit General Manager and CEO. “That legacy was put at risk by unprecedented pandemic-related budget shortfalls. This state loan safeguards existing service levels and brings immediate relief to the more than 3 million riders each month who were at risk of losing some of the service they rely upon for the essentials of life. We thank Governor Newsom and our local and state partners for making this possible, and while long-term funding challenges remain, today we celebrate a critical win for our riders and communities.”
Senate Bill 63 co-author Jesse Arreguín also sounded a note of thanks, “I am grateful to the Governor and my legislative colleagues for supporting Bay Area transit with this loan. This agreement is a huge win to keep our transit agencies running and ensure that the Bay Area can continue as a major economic engine, while not compromising critical transit projects. At a time when we are at risk of significant service cuts that would grind the region to a halt, this additional funding will provide a vital lifeline to the Bay Area’s major transit agencies and provide fiscal stability as we move forward on a broader regional self-help measure this year.”
Claim they’ve been working without a contract since last Sept.
See UPDATE 1 from City Manager Scott – “Public safety remains a priority for leadership and currently encompasses 68% of the General Fund Budget…These are difficult decisions, and there are no simple solutions.”
See UPDATE 2 from Councilwoman Torres-Walker who recommends “a 3% one-time retention bonus across all city departments to maintain quality municipal services.”
By Allen D. Payton
In a post on their Facebook page on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, the Sgt. Rick Hoffman, President of the Antioch Police Officers Association, the union that represents the non-management sworn officers, posted the following statement:
Antioch Police Working Without a Contract as Staffing Remains Below Standard
“The Antioch Police Officers Association, which represents sworn police officers, emergency dispatchers, and community service officers, has been working without a labor contract since September 2025. The City’s most recent offer includes no cost-of-living increases through June 2026, effectively imposing a pay freeze on public safety employees who are already underpaid compared to their peers in Contra Costa County. While surrounding cities have invested in competitive contracts that retain experienced personnel and maintain staffing levels, Antioch now ranks among the lowest-paid public safety agencies in the region for cities of similar size and calls for service volume.
“The police department is authorized for 115 sworn officers, but 10 positions are frozen due to budgetary constraints. Fewer than 90 officers are currently serving the community, roughly 75 percent of the previously authorized staffing level. With many officers new or still in training, experienced personnel are limited, and staffing remains well below accepted standards for a city of more than 115,000 residents.
“Emergency dispatch staffing is equally strained. Dispatchers are working frequent, mandatory overtime to ensure 911 calls are answered, and sworn officers are often necessary to work overtime in dispatch functions, an inefficient use of trained peace officers who would otherwise be available for patrol and enforcement duties.
“After a sharp rise in crime during 2024, early 2025 data shows crime trending back toward Antioch’s five-year average. This has occurred only because officers and dispatchers have absorbed heavier workloads and stretched limited resources, an approach that cannot be sustained long term.
“Despite these conditions, the City has expanded other areas of its budget while repeatedly stating there is no capacity for fair pay increases. Neighboring cities have made different choices by investing in retention, experience, and staffing stability. Without a competitive contract, Antioch risks continued turnover, loss of institutional knowledge, and erosion of recent gains.
“The Antioch Police Officers Association remains committed to reaching a fair and competitive agreement. Our members will continue to serve this community, and the Association urges City leadership to invest in a stable, experienced public safety workforce before the consequences are felt by every resident.”
Questions for City Manager, Council
Immediately prior to publication time, questions were sent to City Manager Bessie Scott, Mayor Ron Bernal and all four council members asking when they expect the contract to be ready for the APOA’s vote and why it has taken so long to finalize their contract when it expired last August.
City Manager Says They “Have Been in Negotiations Since the Expiration of the Prior Agreement”
3:10 UPDATE 1: In response, City Manager Scott wrote, “The City of Antioch recognizes the dedication and professionalism of our police officers, emergency dispatchers, and community service officers. Their work—particularly during a period of staffing challenges and elevated service demands—is deeply appreciated and does not go unnoticed.
“It is true that the City and the Antioch Police Officers Association have been in negotiations since the expiration of the prior agreement. The City remains committed to reaching a fair and sustainable contract through the collective bargaining process. Those discussions are ongoing, and we believe the bargaining table—not public correspondence—is the appropriate forum for resolving outstanding issues.
“Like many cities across California, Antioch is facing significant fiscal constraints driven by rising pension obligations, inflationary pressures and uncertainty in long-term revenues. The City’s proposals reflect a responsibility to balance competitive compensation with the need to maintain essential services, avoid deeper staffing reductions and protect the City’s long-term financial stability. These are difficult decisions, and there are no simple solutions.
“The City is acutely aware of current staffing levels within the Police Department and Emergency Communications. Recruitment and retention remain priorities, and we continue to evaluate strategies to improve staffing while living within our financial means. At the same time, Antioch has made substantial investments across city services to meet resident needs and address deferred infrastructure, public safety support functions, and quality-of-life concerns. Public safety remains a priority for leadership and currently encompasses 68% of the General Fund Budget, while the remaining 32% goes towards other vital services. Too, the city was able to enter into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice in 2025, as well as with another case, Allen v. Antioch, that recently wrapped up earlier this year.
“We value our employees and the vital role they play in keeping Antioch safe. The City looks forward to continuing productive, good-faith negotiations with the Association and remains committed to reaching an agreement that supports both our workforce and the community we collectively serve.”
None of the council members responded as of the first update.
9:00 PM UPDATE 2: However, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker posted the following on her official Facebook page earlier Friday:
“The City is aware of recent local media coverage regarding ongoing contract negotiations between the City and the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA).
“Negotiations remain ongoing, and the City continues to engage in the collective bargaining process in good faith.
“To date, over the past several months, the City has not received notice from any sworn officers or dispatchers indicating that they have accepted employment elsewhere.
“The City values its first responders and recognizes the critical role they play each day in serving and protecting the community.
“Like many municipalities, the City is facing significant financial challenges. The City recognizes the importance of striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and ensuring that employees are compensated fairly and in alignment with comparable positions within the region.
“I am recommending that this Council consider a 3% one-time retention bonus across all city departments to maintain quality municipal services.”
Please check back later for any additional updates to this report.
Dr. Harish Rengarajan is the new Chief Medical Executive for Sutter Delta Medical Center. Photo: Sutter Health
By Monique Binkley Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health
Sutter Delta Medical Center is pleased to announce that Harish Rengarajan, M.D., MBA, will join the organization as its new chief medical executive on Monday, February 9. Dr. Rengarajan will work alongside Sutter Delta CEO Trevor Brand as a dyad partner, strengthening clinical leadership and supporting the hospital’s mission to serve the East Contra Costa community with compassionate, high‑quality care.
Dr. Rengarajan brings a strong background in medical education, clinical quality and physician engagement to his new role. He currently serves as program director for the Internal Medicine and Transitional Year Residency Programs at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, where he has helped build and launch ACGME‑accredited training programs that integrate residents into frontline care. His leadership has supported physician development, enhanced care coordination and advanced safety and quality initiatives that benefit patients and care teams alike.
Before joining Sutter Health, Dr. Rengarajan served as associate chief medical officer at St. Mary’s General Hospital in New Jersey and held leadership roles with New York Medical College, St. Clare’s Health and Northwell Health in New York. Across these organizations, he led work to improve patient experience, reduce readmissions, streamline care teams, strengthen documentation integrity and build physician wellness programs. His career reflects a deep commitment to patient‑centered care and collaborative partnerships across clinical and administrative teams. (See Dr. Rengarajan’s LinkedIn profile for more details)
Dr. Rengarajan earned his medical degree from Pondicherry University in India, completed his internal medicine residency at Chicago Medical School and holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is board certified in internal medicine.
Sutter Delta looks forward to welcoming Dr. Rengarajan as he steps into this key leadership role and continues the hospital’s ongoing work to support the health and well‑being of the Delta community.
Vehicles from Solano County, Antioch and Manteca were seized after being involved in illegal sideshow activity and evading officers in Oakland.
With the assistance of the Flock Camera System, Oakland Police Department investigators have identified and seized 16 vehicles so far this year. In 2025, 195 vehicles were towed, and 23 arrests were made for police evasion, reckless driving, and illegal sideshow activity in Oakland.
OPD remains focused on preventing this dangerous and illegal activity that puts the entire community at risk. Investigators are actively working to identify those responsible and hold participants accountable.
We continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to prevent and reduce these dangerous activities. Participation in illegal sideshows in Oakland may result in your vehicle being towed and seized with a 30-day hold.
OPD remains committed to protecting Oakland’s streets and public safety.
Systemwide property crime down 43%, auto thefts decrease by half, robberies by 60%; aggravated assaults up 12%; smaller decreases in Contra Costa County
By San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Crime on BART plummeted in 2025, a testament to the hard work of the BART Police Department and the effectiveness of BART’s investment in initiatives and infrastructure that both increase safety and enhance the customer experience.
Source: BART Police Chief’s December 2025 Report
Overall crime on BART dropped 41% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with violent crime down 31% and property crime down 43%, according to the December 2025 Chief’s Monthly Report. Additional highlights include auto thefts decreasing by half year over year and robberies decreasing by 60%. The only crime category to see an increase was aggravated assaults which were up 12% over 2024.
In Contra Costa County violent crime was down 24.6% from 61 incidents to 46 and property crime decreased 34.3% from 443 incidents to 291. The only category to increase was burglary structural with 50% more incidents from six to nine.
“Safety is about more than enforcement. It’s about presence, partnership, and creating an environment where all riders feel comfortable using BART,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “BART PD is committed to deterring criminal activity, responding quickly when help is needed, and ensuring riders feel safe throughout their journeys. These numbers demonstrate the impact of officers who are engaged and focused on building trust with the communities BART serves.”
Source: BART Police Chief’s December 2025 Report
“Riders are witnessing firsthand the improvements to safety, cleanliness, and customer experience that define the New BART,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “We’ve combined infrastructure upgrades, such as improved fare gates and station lighting, with additional safety presence and customer-centered service to make BART a comfortable experience for everyone who rides. I want to thank BART PD for their tireless commitment to serving the public.”
BART PD boosted the visible safety presence in the system by doubling officer presence systemwide and ensuring police are riding trains more. This approach is strengthened by BART’s ongoing use of unarmed Crisis Intervention Specialists, Transit Ambassadors, Fare Inspectors, and Community Service Officers.
Source: BART Police Chief’s December 2025 Report
Safety efforts were also bolstered by the installation of 715 new fare gates at all 50 stations, a project completed in August 2025, four months ahead of schedule. The taller, stronger fare gates are improving the station environment and deterring fare evasion and unwanted behavior. The number of riders who say they’ve witnessed someone not paying has dropped 59% in the last year.
BART also maintains a network of 4,000+ surveillance cameras, minimizing response time and holding suspects accountable, and continues to install LED lighting on platforms and in parking facilities to eliminate dark corners. Efforts such as these not only improve safety, but the entirety of the BART experience by making the system more welcoming and comfortable.
Source: BART Police Chief’s December 2025 Report
In 2025, BART PD continued its robust officer recruitment campaign with a $15,000 hiring bonus ($5,000 upon hire and $10,000 upon completion of the Field Training Program) for laterals and academy graduates and a robust outreach strategy, including a dedicated JoinBARTPD.com recruitment site and the recent launch of a BART PD Instagram to reach potential recruits where they are.
Antioch Sports Legends is hosting a Crab Feed Fundraiser and You are invited to attend! We are hoping to see our friends and supporters on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way. The price for each ticket is $100 per ticket – All-inclusive is the food, beer, wine and beverages. Doors open at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm
There will be raffle prizes, silent auction prizes as well as a live auction.
Round tables of 8, 9 or 10 can be reserved and purchased. Individuals are encouraged to attend too.
Please come join us for a fun filled night of delicious crab and great company! This is a smaller event and the number of tickets are limited, so please get yours today, as this event is projected to sell out fast.
If you are not able to use a debit or credit card, please stop by the Antioch Sports Legends office any Wednesday or Saturday inside the Antioch Historical Society Museum at 1500 West 4th Street, from 1pm-4pm by February 14th to purchase your ticket. We accept cash, checks, debit or credit cards while tickets are available.
Citizen RIMS includes calls for service, arrests, racial & identity profiling stats, security camera registration, extra patrol requests
Uses state-required politically charged terms including “Cisgender”, “Latinex” in Demographics of Stopped Individuals
By Allen D. Payton
According to an announcement issued by Lt. Mike Mellone of the Field Services Division, the Antioch Police Department (APD) is expanding public access to public safety information with the launch of Citizen RIMS, an online portal designed to promote open and honest communication and increase community awareness.
Citizen RIMS, which stands for Records and Incident Management System, a product of Sunridge Systems, is an interactive mapping and information platform that allows businesses, community members and stakeholders to view selected, disclosable public safety information by location, date range and incident type — while safeguarding privacy and protecting the integrity of active investigations.
A screenshot of Antioch Police Department’s Citizen RIMS website shows a report map with locations of Crime and Activity between Jan. 25-28, 2026.
What the Public Can View and Request Through Citizen RIMS
Through the portal, community members can:
View recent calls for service and incident activity displayed on an interactive map
View recent arrests published for public awareness
Voluntarily register home or business security cameras
Request extra patrols in an area, as staffing levels and call volume allow
Important Information About Portal Content
Citizen RIMS is intended to provide helpful, general public information; however, it does not display every incident or every detail. Certain information may be limited or excluded due to victim privacy considerations, confidentiality laws, or legal restrictions. Locations shown are approximate and intended for general awareness only. Information may be updated on a scheduled basis and may not reflect real-time operational activity
Recent Arrests: Arrest information is provided for public information purposes only. An arrest does not constitute a conviction. Charges and case status may change as investigations continue and cases move through the court process.
RIPA Stop-Data Statistics: Stop data is presented in a summarized, statistical format to help the community understand trends in traffic and pedestrian stops and to support transparency and accountability. The portal does not display confidential or personally identifying information.
A screenshot of one of the three reports on the Antioch Police 2025 Stop Data Statistics Chart of the department’s new Citizens RIMS website.
About the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)
According to the APD Citizen RIMS site, “The Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015 (RIPA) is a California state law that requires law enforcement agencies to collect and report information on all traffic and pedestrian stops. The law is intended to increase transparency, address concerns about racial and identity profiling, and promote accountability in policing. Data collected includes the reason for the stop, actions taken, and the officer’s perception of the individual’s demographic characteristics. The California Department of Justice analyzes and publishes this information in statewide reports.”
Gender, Racial Terms Used
Demographics for Stopped Individuals provided in the Stop Data Statistics show categories labeled Cisgender man/boy, Cisgender woman/girl, Nonbinary, Transgender man/boy and Transgender woman/girl and charts for Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latine(x), Middle Eastern or South Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander and White.
APD Says Terms are State Mandated
Questions were sent to Chief Joe Vigil, Captain Desmond Bittner and Lt. Mike Mellone. Vigil is out of the office until next Monday.
They were asked if the terms are required by state law or FBI for reporting, if APD selected them or were they pre-loaded by Sunridge Systems, and if they can be changed are they willing. The three were also asked why not instead use the term “Biological” which more people understand and since most Hispanics and Latinos do not use the term “Latinex” and some find it offensive, why not instead use “Hispanic/Latino/a”.
Bittner responded, “Those terms are reporting requirements set by the California Department of Justice. I attached one of CAL DOJs reporting requirement updates from 2024 for reference.” (See pages 7-9 of RIPA Text of Modified Regulations)
2025 Statistics
For 2025, the report of shows of those stopped 38.4% were Black/African American, 28.8% were Hispanic/Latine(x), 24.9% were White, 3.9% were Asian, 3.2% were Middle Eastern/South Asian, 1% were Pacific Islander and 0.1% were Native American.
The Stop Data Statistics page provides additional detailed reports, including one entitled, “What are the reasons for stops?” That includes Reasons for Stops and Traffic Violation Type both by ethnicity and by gender identity. A third drop down report entitled, “What are the actions taken during stops” includes Actions Taken During Stops, Search Rates and Discovery Rates, also broken down by ethnicity and gender identity.
The Antioch Citizen RIMS portal is available at: https://antiochpd.citizenrims.com and is one of several tools APD uses to share information with the community.
For crimes in progress or emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency police services, call (925) 778-2441.
