Silence The Violence free, family community event at Monica’s Riverview this Friday, August 11, 2023 from 5:30-11pm
The evening, hosted by Dude Where’s My Tacos and United Playaz, will include bounce houses, corn hole, a clown, face painting, magician, multiple food vendors and music by DJ Rick Lee.
The restaurant is located at 1 I Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
Multi-agency Operation Cross Country conducts three efforts, investigating four other cases
Under leadership of organization with office in Antioch
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Law enforcement partners with the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force arrested two suspected human traffickers and recovered one juvenile victim in a nationwide effort to apprehend human traffickers and provide services to victims.
As part of Operation Cross Country, task force partners and local FBI personnel jointly conducted three separate anti-human trafficking operations throughout Contra Costa County from July 19th through 30th, 2023. These joint efforts led to the arrest of a 33-year-old male resident of Sacramento and a 24-year-old male resident of Oakland, and the identification of nine survivors of human trafficking – including one juvenile. Additionally, the FBI and task force partners are still investigating four other cases in Contra Costa County. All victims identified through these operations met with specialized human trafficking victim advocates immediately upon contact and were offered a range of services and support.
“These outcomes demonstrate the positive results that can be achieved from collaboration between law enforcement and community partners to address the harm caused by human trafficking and deliver justice to victims,” noted District Attorney Diana Becton.
The suspects were arrested or cited on one or more of the following human trafficking or human trafficking-related offenses: sex trafficking of a minor, supervising, aiding, or recruiting a prostitute, and violating a protective order [PC236.1(c), PC653.23, and PC166(a4]. The ongoing investigations in these cases center on these charges as well as pimping, pandering, and adult trafficking [PC266h, PC266i, and PC236.1(b)].
Task Force Co-chair and Executive Director of Community Violence Solutions, Cynthia Peterson, highlighted that “the partnership among Contra Costa’s task force members in combatting human trafficking ensures a coordinated, trauma-informed response focused on our shared goals of empowering and providing comprehensive services and support to victims.”
Participating agencies included, in alphabetical order:
• Community Violence Solutions
• Concord Police Department
• Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office (CCCDA)
• Contra Costa County Probation Department
• Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department
• Federal Bureau of Investigations
• Hercules Police Department
• Homeland Security Investigations
• International Rescue Committee
• Northern California Regional Intelligence Center
• Pittsburg Police Department
• Pleasant Hill Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
The Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force is co-led by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and Community Violence Solutions, a community-based 24-hour service provider for survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking.
Founded in 2018, the Task Force envisions a community free of human trafficking where survivors thrive. It aims to achieve this by encouraging self-sufficiency and empowerment through the provision of survivor-centered, culturally responsive advocacy and services; striving for exploiter accountability through prosecution, education, civil remedies, and restorative practices; educating task force members and the community; and harnessing data to guide these efforts.
Anyone with information on suspected human trafficking (sex or labor) or related crimes is encouraged to make a report to your local law enforcement agency or the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Tip Line (925) 957-8658.
Owner changes name, focus of D1 & Only Martial Arts
By Dr. Tim Calvin, Ed.D., CEO & Founder
We live in a scary world where violent crime seems to be ever increasing, and our children are becoming the byproducts of a society of unfettered scruples and moral degradation. It is alarming as we watch our children become more self-absorbed, socially inept, and morally disconnected as they become attached to their electronic devices and social media platforms that feeds their young minds with inappropriate images and unethical messaging. As a result, our children are becoming more prone to violence, unremorseful, and ill-prepared to deal with the brutal nature of their environment, and they are continuing this trend well into adulthood.
As acts of violence and shootings become increasingly rampant and cities become more unstable, it appears that those charged with protecting and keeping residents safe are incapable of living up to their obligation. As a result, vigilance, and the ability to efficiently and effectively recognize, avoid, de-escalate, or defend oneself or others from various threats or potentially volatile situations, is more vital than ever before.
Couples’ Self Defense Class. Photo: SSR
In response to society’s growing need for an effective resolution to combat its cycle of violence and apathy, D1 & Only Martial Arts has changed and Split Second Response was formed. Located at 3385 Deer Valley Road in Antioch, Split Second Response is revolutionizing the personal protection and safety industry by providing a unique approach to private safety and security, as well as a distinct and customized method of childhood development and individual growth. Split Second Response is a state-certified training facility that provides a multitude of services that includes a modern and realistic martial arts and self-defense program, firearms training for beginners, advanced firearms courses, and Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit certification courses, as well as First Aid/CPR/AED training through the American Red Cross and the Health and Safety Institute (HSI). Moreover, Split Second Response provides BSIS state-certified security guard training courses (guard card, firearms, baton, use of force, and more), in addition to Taser and Active Shooter certification courses.
Two students participate in the Women’s Only Basic Pistol Course. Photos: SSR
Split Second Response’s martial arts and personal protection program is designed to provide its students with a real-world approach to personal protection and safety. Realizing that outdated martial arts programs are ill-suited to meet today’s threats, Split Second Response, merged several martial arts styles, including Kickboxing, Krav Maga, basic Jiujitsu, and Arnis (Philippine Stick Fighting) into one well-rounded and highly effective self-defense system. The objective of this program is to condition the individual’s mind and body to instinctively react to whatever danger or threat comes your way. Students at Split Second Response are taught situational awareness and threat assessment, how to defend themselves standing, protect themselves on the ground, defend against multiple attackers, or against assailants with various weapons.
Photos: SSR
In addition to the unique approach to self-defense, Split Second Response works diligently to develop the character and moral fortitude of our youth. By changing the mindset and perceptions of our children, Split Second Response hopes to create a safer and more productive community one child at a time. The training regimen for each student at Split Second Response is customized regarding their personal growth and development by focusing on habit formation. Split Second Response employs a four-step process for character development and improved behavior by 1.) identifying areas of concern, 2.) working with parents to establish a plan to address these concerns, 3.) implementing the plan, and 4.) rewarding success or helping students refocus and get back on track if they fall short of accomplishing their goals.
Split Second Response is unlike any personal protection and development program on the market, not just in the services provided, but also in the team of professional and elite instructors they employ. Split Second Response has an exceptional and highly skilled training staff that includes former national martial arts champions, current and former law enforcement officers with backgrounds in S.W.A.T., Undercover Narcotics, and Investigations, along with current and former members of the U.S. military. So, regardless of what your personal protection, safety, or growth and development needs may be, Split Second Response is more than capable of helping you meet and exceed your goals.
Calvin has been in business in Antioch since January 2000, is a former Oakland and Novato Police officer for 10 years and former Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Operation Desert Storm as a H.A.W.K. Missile Operator, a former board member of the Antioch Kiwanis Club, and a former board member of the Antioch Police Activities League (PAL).
He has trained in martial arts for over 28 years and has earned a 7th Degree Black Belt in CCR, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Senkotiros Arnis (Philippine Stick & Knife Fighting), a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu, is a Level II Krav Maga Instructor, a certified Kickboxing Instructor, a California Dept. of Consumer Affairs: Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) Firearm and Baton Instructor, an NRA Firearms Instructor, an NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO), a DOJ Firearms Instructor, an NRA Refuse To Be A Victim (RTBAV) Instructor, a certified American Red Cross (ARC) and Health and Safety Institute (HSI) Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, an HSI AVERT Active Shooter Instructor and AVERT Instructor Trainer, and an Axon Taser Instructor.
Dr. Calvin is also Executive Director of the non-profit Affiliated Martial Arts Promoter’s Association, and earlier this month earned his Doctorate in Organizational Change and Administration from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA.
Once again, Claryissa Wilson and her Forever Me Foundation has organized the annual Antioch Stuff the Bus School Supply Giveaway. This year it will be held on Saturday, August 5 beginning at 10:00 AM at Dallas Ranch Middle School, 1401 Mt. Hamilton Way in Antioch.
The event will include entertainment and resources for those who attend.
Donations of school supplies which can be purchased on the Amazon Supply Wish List or at local stores. Financial donations can be made and volunteers can also register on the event’s website. See all by clicking https://linktr.ee/4evermefoundation.
All events at the Antioch Water Park at Prewett Family Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way, include night swim! Tickets and passes available at antiochwaterpark.com
Edmodo, LLC allegedly collected names, email addresses, phone numbers, device information, and IP addresses of approximately 36 million children under 13 for advertising purposes until approximately September 2022 and “retaining this personal information indefinitely”
Antioch Unified didn’t use it.
The Department of Justice, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today announced that Edmodo, LLC (Edmodo) has agreed to a permanent injunction and a $6 million civil penalty in connection with its online educational platform, as part of a settlement to resolve alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule), and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The civil penalty is suspended due to Edmodo’s inability to pay.
The Edmodo educational platform, sold to schools throughout the United States, enabled teachers to interface with students, including children under 13 years old, to host virtual class spaces, conduct discussions, share materials, make assignments, and provide quizzes and grades, among other things. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the government alleges that, until approximately September 2022, Edmodo collected the personal information of children under 13, including their names, email addresses, phone numbers, device information, and IP addresses. Edmodo allegedly collected such information without providing notice to the children’s parents or obtaining parental authorization to collect such personal information, as required by the COPPA Rule, and used this personal information to enable third parties to display targeted advertising to student users between 2018 and September 2022.
According to a May 2023 article by Human Rights Watch, “Edmodo was a website and app widely used by children in kindergarten, elementary, and middle schools across the US until September 2022, when the company pivoted to only selling its product to governments. The company benefited from explosive demand in 2020, reporting a 1,500 percent increase in users in the first five months of the pandemic as governments and schools rushed to connect children to online learning.
An investigation by Human Rights Watch in May 2022 found that Edmodo was designed with the capacity to surveil children and harvest their personal data for advertising. Our technical analysis found that Edmodo could not only invisibly tag children and identify their devices for the sole purpose of advertising to them, but also enabled other advertisers to do the same by embedding ad-specific third-party code on its platform. After multiple requests for comment, Edmodo told Human Rights Watch in July 2022 that it did ‘not share [its students’] personal data with any Edmodo business partners or third parties.’”
The complaint further asserts that Edmodo was retaining this personal information indefinitely. As of March 2020, Edmodo retained the personal information associated with approximately 36 million student accounts, of which only one million were actively using the platform. This indefinite retention violated COPPA’s requirement that an operator not retain personal information of children for longer than “reasonably necessary to fulfill the purpose for which [the information] was collected.”
The stipulated order, entered by the federal district court yesterday, enjoins Edmodo from collecting personal information from children in a manner that violates the COPPA Rule and prohibits Edmodo from retaining children’s personal information for longer than reasonably necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected. The order also enjoins Edmodo from collecting more personal information than reasonably necessary for a child to participate in any activity offered on its service. It also requires Edmodo to destroy personal information improperly collected from children under age 13 and to comply with reporting, monitoring, and recordkeeping requirements. Edmodo is also subject to a civil penalty judgment of $6 million dollars, which is suspended due to Edmodo’s inability to pay.
“Children do not lose their privacy protections when they use the internet,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “Congress and the FTC have established rules to govern websites and apps collecting and storing the personal information of children. The settlement being announced today demonstrates the Department of Justice’s resolve to enforce those rules. We will continue to work with our partners at the FTC to safeguard children’s online privacy.”
“The Justice Department takes seriously its mission to protect the online privacy rights of children and their parents. This order spells out clearly to all online providers that it is unacceptable to collect children’s personal information without their parents’ consent,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to protecting against unauthorized online collection and retention of information, especially from children.”
“This order makes clear that ed tech providers cannot outsource compliance responsibilities to schools, or force students to choose between their privacy and education,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Other ed tech providers should carefully examine their practices to ensure they’re not compromising students’ privacy.”
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivian Wang for the Northern District of California, Senior Trial Attorney James T. Nelson and Assistant Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, and Gorana Neskovic and Peder Magee of the FTC.
Antioch Unified Didn’t Use Edmodo’s Technology
Superintendent Stephanie Anello said the Antioch Unified School District did not use Edmodo’s technology for online education during COVID.
