Antioch Historical Society Landscape Advisor Cesar Court presents a thank you plaque to Nahleen Cloninger representing the Antioch Police Officers Association Community Engagement Team and Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil. Photo: Antioch Historical Society
By Carla Baker Marymee, Antioch Historical Society
The Antioch Historical Society presented a beautiful plaque to Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil and Nahleen Cloninger to thank the Antioch Police Officers Association Community Engagement Team for their incredible support during a recent clean up at the Antioch Historical Museum! It was presented by Landscape Advisor Cesar Court.
Special appreciation to Nick Shipilov, who coordinated the effort and worked side-by-side with fellow officers Loren Bledsoe (ret.), Eric Nilsen, Rick Hoffman and his son, JJ Jeong, Arturo Becerra, Joshua Riosbass, and Brian Cruz-Guzman. These outstanding individuals recently donated their personal time to help care for our museum grounds.
We are deeply grateful for their generosity, hard work, and community spirit.
Our grounds and facilities require ongoing care. We’re asking for your help — even one day a month makes a difference. Special thanks to Cesar Court, our Landscape Advisor, who has been tirelessly maintaining the grounds with a small crew. If you’d like to assist, please contact Cesar at (925) 550-7821.
You’re invited to the Jacobsen Park Ribbon Cutting to celebrate its reopening. Join the City of Antioch as we celebrate improvements on Friday, August 21, from 4:30–5:00 p.m.
Approved by the City Council on August 27, 2024, the work by Frontline General Engineering Construction, Inc. of San Lorenzo was budgeted at a total of $695,830.55 and involved a full renovation of the existing park, including:
New language bySenate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee chaired by Senator Scott Wieneralso exempts crimes against disabled victims and, in some cases, children under 14.
WARNING: Graphic content
By California Family Council
SACRAMENTO, CA — AB 2691, the Public Trust Protection Act, could be voted on the Senate floor as soon as tomorrow morning, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. On August 4, the bill’s authors quietly rewrote its central definition. They did not fix the problem California Family Council (CFC) raised in June. They made it bigger, and harder to see.
Background
AB 2691, authored by Assemblywoman Dawn Addis (D-Dawn Addis), passed the Assembly floor 67 to 0. It would bar people convicted of felony sexual assault or human trafficking from holding public office, a policy CFC supports. On June 24, the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, chaired by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), added language exempting felony sodomy, oral copulation and sexual penetration when the victim is a minor age 14 to 17.
CFC Vice President Greg Burt testified against that exemption on June 30 and asked the committee to restore the bill to the form the Assembly passed unanimously. The committee advanced the bill anyway, 4 to 1, with only Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine) voting no.
What Changed on August 4, and How California’s Sex Offender Registry Actually Works
The named exemption for ages 14 to 17 is gone from the bill text. In its place, Addis rewrote the bill to define “sexual assault” using California’s sex offender registration system, and only the most severe part of it.
California sorts every registerable sex offense into one of three tiers, based on how serious the offense is:
Tier 1 requires registration for 10 years. It covers misdemeanor sex offenses and the least serious felony sex offenses.
Tier 2 requires registration for 20 years. It covers felony sex offenses that state law separately classifies as “serious” or “violent”, along with a short list of specifically named crimes.
Tier 3 requires registration for life. It is reserved for the most serious sex crimes: forcible rape, forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and similar offenses.
Under the bill the Assembly passed, a felony conviction under any of six penal code sections covering rape, sodomy, oral copulation, and sexual penetration disqualified a candidate, full stop. Under the August 4 rewrite, a conviction only disqualifies a candidate if it happens to fall into Tier 3 of the sex registry list. A conviction that falls into Tier 1 or Tier 2, no matter how serious the underlying crime actually was, no longer counts.
That single change does not narrow the original exemption. It widens it.
Crimes against minors age 14 to 17 remain exempted. The specific carve-out is gone by name, but the conduct it covered, non-forcible sodomy, oral copulation, and sexual penetration of a 14-to-17-year-old, is a Tier 1 offense. It still falls outside the bill’s new definition.
Sex crimes against disabled victims are now exempted. Non-forcible sodomy and sexual penetration of a victim who cannot legally consent because of a mental disorder or a developmental or physical disability are Tier 2 offenses and fall below the bill’s new threshold.
Under certain circumstances, so do sex crimes against children under 10. A first-time, non-forcible conviction for molesting a child under 14, which includes children under 10, is a Tier 2 offense and no longer disqualifies a candidate under the bill’s new language, unless the act specifically involved intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or penetration, which remain covered under a separate, Tier 3 statute.
“We asked this Assemblywoman Addis in June to send this bill back to the form the Assembly passed unanimously. Instead, she took the exemption we objected to, deleted the sentence that named it, and buried the same result inside a much bigger loophole,” said CFC Vice President Burt. “Sex crimes against 14 to 17-year-olds are still exempted. Now sex crimes against people with disabilities are exempted too. And under the right circumstances, so is molesting a child under 14. This bill was supposed to keep sex offenders out of public office. As written, it tells some of them they’re still welcome to run.”
Call to Action
The Senate could vote on AB 2691 as early as tomorrow morning. California Family Council urges senators to vote no on the bill as currently written and urges Californians to contact their state senator today.
About California Family Council
California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.
APPENDIX: Affected Crimes, With Penal Code Citations
This list is limited to items independently confirmed against the text of Penal Code section 290, subdivisions (d)(1) through (d)(3), and Penal Code section 667.5(c). Additional items appear in supplemental research from a California State Senate office; those are not included here pending independent confirmation.
No Longer Disqualifying: Tier 1 Offenses (10-Year Registration)
Penal Code 286(b) — sodomy, non-forcible, victim under 18
Penal Code 287(b), or former 288a(b) — oral copulation, non-forcible, victim under 18
Penal Code 289(h) and (i) — sexual penetration by foreign object, non-forcible, victim under 18
Penal Code 289.5 — fleeing to California to avoid prosecution or custody for a registerable sex offense committed in another state (misdemeanor)
No Longer Disqualifying: Tier 2 Offenses (20-Year Registration)
Penal Code 285 — incest
Penal Code 286(g) — sodomy of a victim who cannot legally consent due to a mental disorder or a developmental or physical disability
Penal Code 286(c)(1) — sodomy of a victim under 14, where the offender is more than 10 years older, without force
Penal Code 288(a) — a lewd or lascivious act on a child under 14, first offense, without force. This is California’s basic child molestation statute.
Penal Code 288.3 — contacting a minor with intent to commit a felony, specifically when the underlying intent was to violate 286(b), 287(b), or 289(h)/(i)
Penal Code 289(b) — sexual penetration of a victim who cannot legally consent due to a mental disorder or a developmental or physical disability
Penal Code 647.6 — annoying or molesting a child, second or subsequent offense
Still Disqualifying: Tier 3 Offenses (Lifetime Registration)
Penal Code 236.1(c) — human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act
Penal Code 266h(b) — aggravated pimping of a minor
Penal Code 266i(b) — aggravated pandering of a minor
Penal Code 266j — procuring a child under 16 for a lewd act
Penal Code 269 — aggravated sexual assault of a child
Penal Code 286(c)(2) and (d) — forcible sodomy of a child under 14, including in concert
Penal Code 287(c) and (d), or former 288a — forcible oral copulation of a child under 14, including in concert
Penal Code 288(b) — a lewd act on a child under 14 committed by force
Penal Code 288(c) — a lewd act on a 14- or 15-year-old, where the offender is at least 10 years older
Penal Code 288.2 — sending harmful matter to a minor with intent to seduce, felony
Penal Code 288.3 — contacting a minor with intent to commit a felony, except when the intent was to violate 286(b), 287(b), or 289(h)/(i)
Penal Code 288.5 — continuous sexual abuse of a child
Penal Code 288.7 — sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or sexual penetration with a child age 10 or younger
Penal Code 289(a) — forcible sexual penetration
Penal Code 653f(c) — soliciting another person to commit rape, sodomy, oral copulation, or a lewd act on a child
A felony sentenced to a mandatory life term under Penal Code 667.61 (“One Strike” law)
Designation as a habitual sex offender under Penal Code 667.71
A second, separately tried conviction under Penal Code 288(a)
Sources: California Penal Code section 290, subdivisions (d)(1) through (d)(3), and Penal Code section 667.5(c), both available at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
For kids in grades 3-8; deadline extended to Aug. 17
By Antioch Recreation Department
The field is calling — there’s still time to GET IN THE GAME! NFL FLAG Football registration has been EXTENDED through August 17!
Calling all kids in grades 3–8 — grab your friends and get ready to run, catch, score, and HAVE FUN! Whether you’re new to football or ready to show off your skills, we want YOU on the field!
Rookies (ages 8-10), All-Stars (ages 10-12), Champions (12-14)
DON’T MISS THE NEW DEADLINE: AUGUST 17!
Experience the speed, skill, agility and action of the gridiron without the contact associated with tackle football. This co-ed program will feature one 45-minute practice during the week followed by one 45-minute game on Saturday mornings. The goal of this program is to develop the skill of our young athletes while also exposing them to sportsmanship, teamwork and healthy lifestyles that so important to local youth; all while having fun. Each child receives their own NFL Flag Football Jersey and flag belt. Volunteer coaches receive a 50% discount from their child’s registration fee.
City Park and new signage got the thumbs up but the River Town Square project was given a big thumbs down from a majority of the Antioch City Council Members during their meeting Tuesday night, Aug. 11, 2026. Sources: photo and sign rendering by City of Antioch, site plan by Save The Yard.
Postpones, will study resuming security services for downtown
“This is one thing that unites people that don’t usually get together.” – resident Frank Sterling about support for the proposed downtown park
“We do not have $250,000 to spend to maintain this park. If we do, every other park is going to have a reduced level of maintenance.” – Mayor Ron Bernal
Freitas envisions a hotel with conference center on the former Beede Lumber Yard site
By Allen D. Payton
In spite of impassioned comments from a broad spectrum of residents in favor of using state funds for a new park on the site of the former Beede Lumber Yard in downtown, to their chagrin, during the regular meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Antioch City Council voted 4-1 to apply for the grant to benefit City Park. Only District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha voted against the motion. Most of the public speakers spoke in favor of the proposed, new downtown park, including representatives of two groups of residents, one wearing blue shirts with the message, “Rivertown Square Yes!” printed on them and the other from Rising Juntos wearing green shirts, and others who aren’t usually allied on the same side of major issues. (See related article)
During Council deliberations on the matter, both Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker, in whose District 1 both sites are located, and Don Freitas hemmed and hawed in their willingness to support the Rivertown Square project before ultimately voting to pursue the funds for City Park, instead.
Public Comments
Before the vote on item #8 on the agenda, members of the public spoke mainly in favor of using the state grant funds for the Rivertown Square.
“I’ve watched cities that have grown their downtowns…and I think, ‘why not us? Why not Antioch?’” said one downtown resident. “Downtown once had a green space at Barbara Price Marina Park and we were promised a replacement.”
“Please choose the Yard,” she added.
“This is our neighborhood. I have been fighting for The Yard…this is one of the longest fights I’ve been doing,” said resident Frank Sterling. “This is one thing that unites people that don’t usually get together. I feel like you all should be bold. I’m in favor of The Yard being our downtown…community space.”
Resident Michael Simpson, wearing one of the blue shirts compared it to Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza, Oakley’s Civic Center and Brentwood’s downtown City Park, as well as Pittsburg’s Old Town park.
“We should…create something for future generations,” he stated.
Barbara Price Marina Park was six acres, and the Beede Lumber Lot is just under two acres, one third the size, so, the maintenance costs will be less, another resident pointed out.
“We have waited long enough. This community has spoken. Please don’t let maintenance be the issue. Please honor the commitment. Please apply for the grant to be at the Rivertown Square,” she concluded.
“Antioch shouldn’t be the city people drive through but the city people drive to,” another resident wearing one of the blue shirts in support of the Rivertown Square stated.
Former Planning Commissioner Kerry Motts, also wearing a blue shirt in support of the project for which his sister, former councilwoman and current District 1 council candidate, Joy Motts has helped lead the effort, said, it “would provide for enhanced economic vitality of Rivertown. This has been a stated goal…for 40 years.”
A leader of Rising Juntos East spoke “in support of developing the Beed Lumber Yard park.”
“Please vote yes for the families of north Antioch,” she added.
“Children and families need safe spaces to thrive,” another representative of Rising Juntos said in support of the Rivertown Square. “We envision not just a park but a cultural hub.”
“Why is it taking so long?” she asked. “Making the lot a park would make the downtown more walkable and enjoyable. It’s right across the street from the Senior Center. They could enjoy it.”
Another member of Rising Juntos said, “City Park needs investment and our community absolutely needs to see it improved. But one park should not be sacrificed at the expense of another.”
Alexander Broom, Vice Chair of the Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission, said, “I think it should be Beede Lumber Yard or bust. I believe we should put all of our eggs in this basket.
District 4 Council candidate and local homeless advocate Andrew Becker spoke last with a completely different idea saying, “My concern is that the intent of Prop. 4 is to…preserve or create open space for individuals and I keep hearing, tonight it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. In the 1940’s, homes were built along Cavallo (Road). There’s still no parks within a-half a mile.”
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. However, the background photo is something she chose as she was not in the Marin Headlands but at a resort and spa in Santa Cruz at the time. Video screenshot.
Council Discussion & Decisionfor City Park
During council discussion Acting Community Development Director Steve Scudero was asked by Mayor Ron Bernal about the vacant downtown lot, “How is that property zoned?”
“Mixed use which allows for commercial residential and public spaces,” Scudero responded.
“If we wanted to sell that property as a surplus property…” Bernal began.
“We would have to make it available to an affordable housing builder…giving a sixty-day notice of availability… before selling the property,” Scudero stated.
District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha spoke next saying, “Both parks are important. I believe City Park does need investment. But we have a downtown area that many of us…for enrichment would see where people could come together and bring some economic development.”
“It’s unfortunate we have to pick just one. It looks like both projects meet the criteria for the process,” he continued. “Whatever we decide tonight won’t determine what would happen to the other.”
“Probably the one thing I’ve been most impressed with…over the years I’ve heard about The Yard, the Town Square,” Rocha stated. “I’m inclined to support The Yard because of the engagement that’s bringing people together. This may be four years down the road even if we get the funding.”
“I understand the value of bringing people together. I could support both. But I’m going to support the Beede Lumber Yard because of all the engagement,” he added. “I don’t think there’ll be a problem with getting the people behind you.”
District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson said, “Both are good. But I want to put one in that’s most competitive and going to get the dollars.”
Alex Gibbs, Grants Director of Townsend Public Affairs, the City’s consultant on the grant process, said, “There will be a lengthy process…that will include site visits from the state…most likely in April next year. You’re looking at really a difference of five or six points. There are fewer people living near the Yard…given the location of the lot near the river. But the state takes that into consideration. That’s the reality we’re living in. I’m confident that either case…we can write a very competitive application. The only thing you’re going to lose out on is the number of people living in poverty and nearby park land.”
Wilson asked about the Cavallo Road area saying, “That space we don’t own. It’s not a park,” referring to an empty, privately-owned lot on the southeast corner of Cavallo Road and E. 18th Street.
“I’m not aware of any land we own in that area,” Scudero stated.
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, participating remotely from a resort and spa in Santa Cruz, then said, “I keep saying, don’t put housing there. I also don’t agree that housing should be the priority for this site.” She then said, “I keep hearing, it’s been 15 years they’ve had the commitment to replace the Barbara Price park that they lost. That seems to be a theme I continue to hear…that people have been waiting…for something.”
“I definitely want us to award whatever can bring revenue to the City of Antioch and I’m hearing the Beede Lumber Yard could bring revenue and even cover its maintenance costs,” Torres-Walker continued. “This is potentially an $8 million grant. We could submit one application or two applications.”
“Anything is possible,” said Recreation Department Director Shahad Wright. “Whatever money we have…we’ll make sure the contingency fund will be enough to cover.”
“It will be a city park not a neighborhood park so it would include restrooms,” Torres-Walker stated.
“That will be part of the design process,” Wright responded.
“If Beede Lumber lot is selected tonight, there will be a design phase, a community engagement phase, restrooms. What would be the follow up for City Park?” she asked.
“I will pivot and figure out how to fix the rest of the parks in the city,” Wright stated. “You have up to four years to spend the grant funds.”
The councilwoman then mentioned “downtown business owners” dealing with “parking issues and unhoused folks who actually live along the waterfront” and giving enough time for the City to deal with those issues.
District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said, “We’ve talked a lot about history. Some of us have intimate knowledge of history. I want to go back to 1978 and 1979. I was the Executive Director of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and most of our members were in downtown. Because at that time it was still one of the economic hubs of the community.”
“I told them, ‘the downtown could survive if we had residents moving into the downtown and…sustained economic development,’” he continued.
“We needed to improve the circulation pattern in the downtown area. As mayor…from 2000-2008, whe number one project was to finally connect A Street to Second Street,” Freitas stated. “That was probably one of my greatest achievements as mayor. Because downtown finally had circulation.”
“So, on the issue of the Beede Lumber Yard…and this has been an issue for over 40 years, my vision for Beede Lumber was that we need to make downtown a destination, and we needed to generate revenue,” he explained. “I’ve seen many people say on social media that Freitas wants to build apartments. Freitas has never been for building apartments” on the vacant lot.
“My vision was to build a Sheraton Inn like in Concord…that Antioch would own the property and reach out to owners of hotels…two to three stories with a rooftop garden,” Freitas shared. “I wanted to have a situation where we would have a 35-year lease. I never wanted to sell that property…and each and every year we would generate revenue.”
“We have more than 118,000 people in this town. There is no hotel in this town for us to offer conferences or seminars or anything. So, part of my argument was, let’s build one,” he continued. “If you’re there for two to three days, what are you going to do? You’re going to walk up the street. We could have a jazz lounge. We would have restaurants there.”
“You say you’ve been disappointed for 15 years. I’ve been disappointed for over 50 to 60 years,” Freitas exclaimed. “You say this is going to produce revenue. To do that you’d have to be using this facility every day. That’s not going to happen. Excluding the 4th of July, you’re going to get a couple hundred people. Very few people come out of District 3 to the downtown because there’s nothing there for them.”
“We have Williamson (Park). What’s the problem? There’s no parking,” he asked and answered. “If Beede goes through, the problem is going to be parking.”
“I have seen your schematics. Very interesting. But it’s not going to sustain itself,” Freitas stated. “But you’ve done a very good job coming together and advocating. I think I can count the votes. I think we’re going to probably engage Beede. But be under no delusion. The best bet is not Beede. The best bet in my opinion is City Park.”
“But I’m going to challenge every single one of you here. There’s going to be community meetings. You’ve said, ‘we can raise money through non-profits…through other means.’ Don’t wait,” he said. “That’s been the problem with this city. I challenge you, start figuring out how to pay for this on a long-term basis.”
“We are in a deficit. We’ve reduced it dramatically,” Freitas pointed out. “Your organization is great…you have another part of the job. Don’t abandon us. Stay with us. I challenge you. Where are all these other monies going to come in? Because the city doesn’t have it.”
Mayor Ron Bernal spoke next reiterating Freitas’ last point saying, “The Council chose to remove this project from the Capital Improvement process because we didn’t have the funds for maintenance. If this goes through, we still won’t have the money for maintenance. We do not have $250,000 to spend to maintain this park. If we do, every other park is going to have a reduced level of maintenance.”
“We have deferred maintenance coming out of our ears,” he stated. “I am not in favor of adding another expense…as much as people would love to have this park built in downtown,” he continued.
“We’re talking about one point being the difference in getting this funding. We don’t have five points,” Bernal explained. “And that (City) park won’t be improved and we won’t have Beede, either.”
“The new areas are fully paying for the maintenance of their parks. The downtown area parks, the General Fund is paying for their maintenance,” he continued.
“We do need to improve our downtown…have places for people to gather. I’m for all of that,” Bernal said. “This is an example of everyone coming together. But we don’t have the…wiggle room in this process. So, I’m going to be in favor of City Park.”
Torres-Walker than said, “I didn’t hear that we only had to submit one application. I heard we could do two applications. Was that correct?”
Gibbs of Townsend said, “That is correct. There is no limit to the number of applications the City can submit.”
“Would the Council be against submitting two?” she asked.
“I would be opposed to that,” Freitas said. “I think Townsend has made the case not to do that.”
“I think there would be a staff issue in running two processes. How well would you be able to run two processes?” Bernal asked.
“It’s a heavy lift,” Director Wright said. “We’re already understaffed and two facilities down. How well can we do in this small timeframe?”
Freitas asked, “What is in the best interest of Antioch?” then said, “I’m going to move that we do apply for this grant for City Park.”
Bernal seconded the motion.
Torres-Walker than stated, “For Townsend said, ‘this takes a while to bring this process around.’ I’ve been for bringing grants to the City. Do you see there will be opportunities in the future…can there be a commitment to pursue grant funding for parks?”
“I can commit to purse the best grant application as possible…I commit to not leaving any stone unturned…be it state, federal or other,” Gibbs said.
The motion then passed on a vote of 4-1 with Rocha voting against.
In response, one member of the audience could be heard yelling out, “There are elections coming up.”
Sources: Top – Antioch Herald file photo. Bottom photo: City of Antioch
Postpones Resuming Downtown Security Services Until September to Study Issue
Two residents spoke during public comments on the item, #9 on the agenda, local homeless advocate and District 4 Council candidate Andrew Becker said, “I managed a private security company…for years. I think…the biggest question is…what’s very alarming is staff puts out the report that includes the security logs. But there’s no results. ‘We as staff are doing a good job…that the work should continue in downtown.’ It’s staff’s responsibility to monitor and maintain contracts.”
“I went through all of the security logs,” he continued. “It speaks to a high volume of emergency calls…I think you see four or five very low instances in the hundreds of logs put out. The contract is for City-owned parking lots. If that’s the case, then why are the photos…of properties the City doesn’t own in downtown? Or pictures of properties that aren’t even in downtown….a shopping center in a newer development? Where are these guards and who are we paying and what is the relationship of this company to the City?”
Keith Butler, CEO and Founder of Elite Defense Security Solutions said he had, “ties to prior law enforcement. I’m a retired law enforcement officer of 18 years.”
“Without getting into the particulars of the current company…it’s not who’s providing the security, it’s what does the security look like. You need to look at what that security can do,” he continued.
“I have to agree with the previous speaker,” Butler stated. “There were a lot of items on there that don’t look to be parking lots.”
He then offered to help the City draft a new RFQ (request for quote).
Council Discussion & Decision to Postpone After Meeting with Downtown Businesses, City Staff
During Council discussion, Freitas spoke first saying, “I think that when we initially did this, we did focus on the City-owned property. If we want to put together a work group…we didn’t receive any input from the Police Department…Code Enforcement, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Antioch Association. We need to ask questions…be proactive rather than reactive.”
Rocha then said, “One key strategy identified…is to act as a visible deterrent…and properly report incidents to the Antioch Police Department. When you read the comments from the survey…the key strategy is to be visible when people don’t even know they’re there. Maybe this is misleading the way the key was written.”
“I think the merchants and restaurant owners are wanting to have a relationship…that didn’t happen with this particular vender,” he continued. “I do think we need to have community members meet together. I think there needs to be dialogue. I’m not prepared to approve this contract.”
Wilson then said, “We didn’t include any measurables…around patrol hours…how to communicate with the police. I think if we have this committee we figure out the performance measures. That’s the problem with the RFQ. I think we really missed it on this one.”
Finance Director Dawn Merchant, serving in the role of acting city manager for the meeting (or Acting Acting City Manager she jokingly said) then shared, “One of the difficulties I do recall being discussed was how can the City pay for extra security for businesses in downtown when they don’t for another challenged area in the City. That’s why it was focused on the City-owned parking lots. That’s how this evolved.”
Torres-Walker mentioned, “the businesses saying, ‘we need more support from the City.’ The police saying, ‘we can’t just commit officers to downtown’. We couldn’t justify doing it for the businesses. We asked if there were other City-owned parking lots throughout the city.”
“What is being often overlooked is…it just provided patrol for City-owned parking lots in downtown not the businesses,” she continued. “When I looked at this report…at least one property outlined in here that is way over by Deer Valley. How did they end up all the way over in District 4?”
“The survey was completed by seven respondents…out of fifty or more in downtown,” Torres-Walker stated. “You have 71% of the respondents said they would support the City continuing security services in downtown. It is very telling. The majority of businesses that responded felt like security services were needed for weekdays and the evenings and special events.”
“Asked how often they see security services downtown it was pretty spread out. You never had ‘never or occasionally.’ Although you had one outlier say they had seen the security company several times a week,” the councilwoman shared.
She then mentioned the only cannabis retail location in downtown and that, “they’re supposed to have 24-hour armed security.”
“I do want to add patrolling for downtown businesses,” Torres-Walker stated. “Most municipalities have a downtown overlay district where the businesses pay for additional police patrols” and mentioned using “CSO’s (Community Service Officers) driving around in marked cars.”
She concluded by suggesting forming a “police district in the waterfront.”
“This could be a collaborative effort of the City and downtown businesses that they pay for this,” Freitas said. “I think it’s in their best interest. I just think we should try to get them together…with the City Attorney. It’s an idea to move forward. Because we don’t have the services right now, the question to the police department is, are there other personnel that can be used such as VIPS. I think we need to be a little creative.”
Rocha agreed with using CSO’s.
Antioch Police Captain Matt Koch jokingly said, “In the words of Director Wright, ‘anything is possible.’”
“We’ve already increased our presence over there with officers and CSO’s during all hours of the day and night that are scheduled,” he stated. “I went 42 days before and 42 days after and there’s been a 23% increase in calls for service to the police department. It’s about three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half calls for service per day. I think having them there…with the lights flashing is a deterrence. It is a great service and a force multiplier for us.”
“There are some residences besides the businesses that are affected there,” Koch continued. “At my request they were taking pictures and providing them to the department.
“So, you see the security as a benefit overall,” Bernal asked.
“Overall, yes,” Koch responded.
“As they’re driving different routes between the parking lots there’s nothing that precludes them from making calls if they see something,” Bernal said.
“Yes,” Koch stated.
“I would like to see something done in the month of August,” Bernal stated. “I just think we need to do something quickly.”
“I do think we need to pursue another request for qualifications,” Torres-Walker added.
There will be a DAA meeting on the 19th at El Campanil Theatre,” the mayor stated. Torres-Walker said she will be attending that meeting.
Rocha said he will speak with the Chamber of Commerce. Bernal suggested Freitas do so, as well.
The council members agreed to have representatives from the Antioch Police Department, Code Enforcement meet and downtown business owners to discuss the needs for private security.
Suspect Terrence Gordon Langston in a video posted on his Facebook page Jan. 13, 2020, and the cash and gold bars confiscated. Photo by Antioch PD
Has victims in multiple states, history of arrests, already out of custody
By Antioch Police Department
On July 21, 2026, Lear Capital, a Los Angeles-based precious metals company, contacted the Antioch Police Department to report suspicious transactions they believed were fraudulent. Their employees noticed something was off, and instead of looking the other way, they picked up the phone and called us.
That call mattered. Detective Duff quickly connected the activity to victims in multiple states with combined losses of nearly $30,000. Within days, detectives served a search warrant at an Antioch residence and recovered stolen property, including $9,000 in gold, along with check-printing equipment, card readers, personal identifying information belonging to numerous people and two firearms.
Terrence Gordon Langston, 34, of Antioch, was arrested and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed felony identity theft and grand theft charges.
According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests by Antioch and Colma Police and the Contra Costa Sheriff dating back to 2017 for crimes including receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, receiving or concealing stolen property and for a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge.
On Langston’s Facebook page, it shows he’s self-employed since January 2018 and he posted a video of himself talking about something he called “Money Mystery” and described as “the next generation of broadcast.” Langston said that he’s “been MIA for a minute…because I’ve been working on my own app” and was “in the beta-testing stages” and looking for “11 testers” to help him and “each week…giving out $11 to each tester.” Under Langston’s education it shows California State University, Northridge.
We want to thank Lear Capital for doing the right thing. Most identity theft victims don’t know they’ve been targeted until the damage is done. Alert businesses are often the first to spot it.
That’s the lesson in this case: early detection stops fraud. Here’s how to detect it early in your own life.
Freeze your credit. It’s free, takes about 10 minutes, and blocks anyone from opening accounts in your name. You can unfreeze it anytime.
Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. This free service emails you a photo of the mail arriving at your address each day, before it gets there. If something goes missing between the photo and your mailbox, you’ll know. Mail theft remains one of the most common ways criminals steal identities. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com.
Check your credit reports. You’re entitled to free weekly reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Look for accounts you don’t recognize.
Verify before you share. If someone calls claiming to be your bank, a company you do business with, or even law enforcement, hang up and call back using a number you find yourself. Legitimate organizations will never pressure you to stay on the line.
If it happens to you, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and file a report with your local police department. A police report is often required to dispute fraudulent accounts.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Vote on spending over $500K for park and trail signage, $382K for police dep’t security system, appointing new member to Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee
By Allen D. Payton
Following a Closed Session at 4:30 p.m., during their Regular Meeting tonight, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Antioch City Council will discuss resuming downtown security services and vote on spending over $500,000 for park and trail signage, about $382,000 for Police Department cameras and appointing a new member to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee. That’s in addition to deciding where to use state park grant funds, either at the former Beede Lumber Yard in Rivertown or at City Park. (See related article)
Before their Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m., during Closed Session, which begins at 4:30 p.m., the Council will discuss the City Attorney’s performance evaluation, nine potential lawsuits pertaining to possible Labor Code Section 1102.5, which protects employees from retaliation for reporting or refusing to participate in illegal or unlawful activities, and Fair Employment and Housing Act violations, as well as one possible lawsuit for a potential breach of contract and related claims.
Herald file photo
Downtown Security Services Discussion
Under item 9 on the agenda, the Council will discuss resuming private security services to patrol City-owned parking lots in historic, downtown Rivertown. The previous contract and extensions ended on June 30th.
According to the City staff report, “In December 2022, in response to increasing concerns from Rivertown/Downtown business owners and visitors regarding criminal activity and quality of life issues occurring in and around City-owned public parking lots, the City Council directed staff to evaluate options to improve public safety and security in the area. One key strategy identified was the deployment of private security services to act as a visible deterrent, identify safety issues, monitor City-owned properties and promptly report incidents and safety concerns to the Antioch Police Department.
“Following a competitive process, the City selected Shield Protection & Public Safety, Inc., DBA Spearhead Protection, as the most qualified provider. The City entered into a professional services agreement with Spearhead Protection for services from January 9, 2024, through June 30, 2025, in the not-to-exceed amount of $100,068. On April 23, 2025, the City executed a first amended agreement, increasing the compensation by $49,932. On May 27, 2025, agreement (mislabeled as a first amendment), extending services through June 30, 2026, and increasing compensation to the not-to-exceed amount of $100,000.
“There is no direct fiscal impact of the discussion surrounding downtown security services. Should Council direct that the City resume security services and issue a request for proposal, the City Manager’s General Fund budget includes $102,500 for services, based on the pricing of the prior contract.”
“The previous contract provided security coverage seven days a week, including holidays, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and midnight. Services include regular patrols of nine designated locations in the Rivertown/Downtown area by a uniformed guard in a marked security vehicle.”
Photo: Verkada
New Police Department Cameras, Hardware & Software
Under the Consent Calendar item 5.F, the Council will consider approving a five-year agreement with Verkada-Development Group Inc. in the amount of $381,676.22 to purchase police department cameras, hardware and cloud-based operating system software for use inside the police facility and animal shelter for the period from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2031
It requires authorizing a fiscal year 2026-27 budget amendment to roll over the FY 2025-26 Police Department General Fund budget to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget. The cost of the five-year contract is to be paid upfront with an average cost of $76,335.24 per year.
The contract will be with Redding-based Development Group, Inc., which designs and installs equipment by San Mateo-based Verkada.
According to the City staff report, “the Antioch Police Department’s existing Bay Alarm video surveillance system has reached the end of its useful life and is no longer capable of providing the level of security, reliability, and functionality required to support daily police operations. The system was originally designed as a 12-server, on-premises video management platform; however, eight of the twelve servers have failed and are no longer operational. As a result, the system has experienced a significant reduction in performance, reliability, and recording capability, creating substantial vulnerabilities in the Department’s security infrastructure.
“In addition to the server failures, much of the existing surveillance hardware has deteriorated due to age and prolonged use. Numerous cameras have exposed wiring, increasing the likelihood of equipment failure and presenting maintenance and safety concerns. The video intercom systems located at secure entrances, public access doors, and vehicle gates are also malfunctioning and no longer provide dependable communication or access control. These failures negatively impact the Department’s ability to monitor facilities, control access and maintain a secure environment for employees, visitors and members of the public.
Source: Verkada
“The Bay Alarm video management software and supporting platform are also obsolete and have exceeded their serviceable life. Replacement components are increasingly difficult to obtain, manufacturer support is limited or unavailable, and the system is no longer capable of supporting current security technologies or operational requirements.
“Due to the age and condition of both the hardware and software, continued repairs are no longer practical or cost-effective. The system is beyond repair and requires complete replacement with a modern, reliable video surveillance solution that provides enhanced security, improved operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
“Verkada…has built a unique end-to-end, cloud-managed security platform for monitoring and managing physical security. The Verkada integrated platform offers comprehensive solutions across video security (cameras), access control (door controllers and readers), environmental sensors (air quality monitoring), alarms (wired and wireless sensors, wired alarm panel, and wireless hub, as well as packaged monitoring offerings), visitor management, mailroom management, and video door intercoms.
“This platform includes a number of unique features, such as up to 365 days of continuous on-camera storage, a full range of indoor and outdoor cameras with night vision (dome, mini, bullet, split, and fisheye models), infrared LED isolation on 4K dome camera models, an offline mode that allows a user to view live streams via a viewing station even in the event of an Internet outage, and security screens for visitors. Verkada provides native integration across all those applications, including security cameras, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, visitor management, mailroom management, and video intercoms.
“Verkada is the only manufacturer of cloud-managed physical security solutions with all those features. These products are designed, manufactured, and sold exclusively by Verkada who holds various intellectual property rights in and to its products.
“Switching to Verkada provides a modern, scalable security platform that better aligns with current and future operational needs. Verkada’s cloud-managed system consolidates video surveillance, access control, and system management into a single, intuitive interface, reducing complexity and administrative overhead. This transition improves system reliability, simplifies maintenance, and ensures consistent performance across all deployed devices while allowing authorized personnel to securely access and manage the system from anywhere.”
Examples of new park sign designs from bidding plans. Source: City of Antioch
New Park & Trail Signage
Under the Consent Calendar item 5.H., the Council will consider awarding the construction agreement for the Installation of Park Signage Project to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Los Angeles-based Monarka Development Corporation DBA Express Sign & Neon in the amount of $498,860, with a $25,000 contingency for a total contract amount of $523,860.
Examples of new park sign designs from bidding plans. Source: City of Antioch
It requires approving a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Capital Improvement and Operating Budgets using Park-in-Lieu funds paid for by new development, in the amount of $187,000.
According to the City staff report, the project consists of the fabrication and installation of signage within parks and major trails throughout the city including Antioch City Park, Chichibu Park, Worth Shaw Community Park, Antioch Community Park and other designated trail locations.
Under item 6 on the agenda, Mayor Ron Bernal will to nominate the candidate of his choice, Christian Lapena, and the City Council will vote on adopting a resolution approving his appointment to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a full-term vacancy expiring March 2030.
According to his application, Lapena has lived in Antioch since 2021 and is the founder of the non-profit organization Herpaderp. According to their website, the exotic animal rescue organization based in Antioch, specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating animals such as turtles, lizards, snakes and other animals that are not native to the area or are not commonly kept as pets.
According to his LinkedIn profile, since Sept. 2024 he has worked as a Senior Support Engineer for Renascent Technology and since Oct. 2020 Lapena has worked as a contract Senior Support Engineer for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. In 2012 He earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in network security from City College of San Francisco.
The Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee is responsible for reviewing the receipt and expenditure of funds under the City’s Measure W one-cent sales tax as they relate to the Council’s stated priorities outlined in the adopted budgets of the City. The Committee is responsible for reporting out the result of their review by April 1st of each year at a public meeting.
Committee members are responsible for the following duties:
Reviewing annual sales tax revenue and expenditure reports.
Monitoring compliance with ballot measure requirements.
Providing transparency to the public regarding fund usage.
Advising the City Council on accountability measures.
Each year, an independent auditor shall complete a public audit report of the revenue raised and its expenditure. The Committee’s review shall be completed in conjunction with the City’s budget process. The Committee’s report on its review, whether oral or written, shall be considered by the City Council at a public meeting before April 1 of each year. Any written report shall be a matter of public record.
The Committee consists of seven members who are Antioch residents. The terms of the Committee members are staggered with four members serving a four-year term and three members serving a two-year term. At least one member of the Committee shall have a financial, accounting or auditing background.
As previously reported, there are currently five more vacancies on the committee that the Council will be filling that include:
Three (3) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2030
Two (2) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2028
Applications are due this Friday, Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To be considered for the vacancy position(s), please complete an application and submit it to the City Clerk’s Office by the deadline date listed above. Applications are also located on the City’s Website at www.antiochca.gov/739/Boards-Commissions and may be picked up in person at Antioch City Hall, 200 H Street, Antioch, CA.
Please email your completed application to: cityclerk@antiochca.gov. You can also drop off your application (Attn: City Clerk) in the water billing drop-off box located in the parking lot just outside of Antioch City Hall.
Meeting Details
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown and can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.
Antioch School Board incumbent Mary Rocha will face off against newcomer Brandon Dawkins for Area 2 Trustee in the November election. Sources: Official and campaign photos.
Deadline is Wed. Aug 12 at 5:00 p.m.
By Allen D. Payton
In the elections for the two seats on the Antioch School Board, the race for Area 5 Trustee is set as of last Friday, while the filing period for Area 2 Trustee has been extended until Wednesday, Aug. 12th at 5:00 p.m. because incumbent Dr. Jag Lathan did not seek re-election.
In Trustee Area 5, incumbent Mary Rocha will face only one opponent, Brandon Dawkins, as Brandon William Lawson did not complete the filing process. As previously reported, according to his campaign Facebook page and his campaign website, Dawkins is a “Healthcare Worker, Labor and Community Organizer” and “a father of five, with four of his children attending Antioch Unified schools.” His campaign slogan is “Whole Student, Whole Community.”
In Trustee Area 2, Oakley resident Roxanne Reece so far faces no opponent. But because the incumbent didn’t file to run for re-election by last Friday’s deadline, the filing period has been extended five days until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12th.
According to Reece’s campaign Facebook page she is a “Parent, Advocate, Community Voice” and is “Committed to students, families, educators, accountability and a stronger future for Antioch schools.” A portion of Oakley is within the Antioch School District boundaries.
Registered voters who live within the light green area shown in this Antioch School District Trustee Area 2 map can run for the school board. Source: AUSD
To run, candidates must live within the Trustee Area, acquire nomination papers at and submit them to the Contra Costa Elections office, 555 Escobar Street in Martinez. Interested candidates can schedule an appointment by emailing candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling (925) 335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but service is subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes approximately 20 minutes. For more information visit www.contracostavote.gov/elections/candidates-campaigns-measures/run-for-office.
