Archive for June, 2013

Antioch Police Chief responds to two homicides and criminal activity in last 24 hours

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

From Antioch Police Facebook page

Over the past 24 hours the Antioch Police Department has been responding tirelessly to criminal activity occurring in our community. What the public needs to know is that we will continue to respond, using all of our available resources to reduce crime. This response to criminal activity will include proactive enforcement details on an overtime basis when resources allow. We will continue to work with other local enforcement agencies to maximize our efforts.

I also feel it is important for our community to understand that your Police Department, working with the Human Resources Department, has stream-lined our hiring process so that we are fast-tracking Lateral Police Officer applicants to bring them on to our force as quickly as possible. In addition, our continuous hiring model allows us to test large groups of entry level applicants with an applicant pool testing this month of 125 individuals. My reason for providing this information is to ensure the citizens of this community that we are doing everything possible to get our officer workforce to the 102 positions authorized. Increasing staffing in order to reduce crime is one of our highest priorities.

When funding allows, and our authorized positions increase, I will use those additional officers to focus on crime that is affecting us all. Those crimes are to include gang violence, drug enforcement, burglary suppression, aggravated assault, as well as vice enforcement.

The men and women of the Antioch Police Department thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Chief Allan Cantando

Night at the Museum open house in Antioch next Wednesday

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

Antioch Historical Society Museum invites everyone to attend a NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM open house on Wednesday, June 19 from 4:00-9:00 pm.

The theme is Antioch’s Native Peoples. Local author and historian, Charlie Bohakel, will present a slideshow of local interest.

Also featured will be the opening of the newly refurbished Miwok and county Indians exhibit. There will be related crafts and projects for children and refreshments will be served.

The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is always welcome!

The Antioch Historical Society Museum is located at 1500 W. Fourth Street, off Auto Center Drive. For more information call 757-1326, visit www.art4antioch.org/ahs.asp or email antiochhistoricalsociety@comcast.net.

Young man is victim of second homicide Tuesday night in Antioch

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday morning, June 12, 2013 at approximately 12:26 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a report of a subject shot in the 1900 block of D Street. Officers responded to the area to find the 21-year-old, male victim incapacitated from an apparent gunshot wound. Life saving measures were taken by the arriving officers and medical personnel, but the victim was later pronounced dead at a local area hospital. This case is currently being investigated as a homicide by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Stenger with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6894. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Police find elderly Antioch man dead Wednesday evening, investigate as murder

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at approximately 5:47 PM, the Antioch Police Department received a report of a subject possibly dead inside a home in the 4400 block of Horseshoe Circle. Officers responded to the residence to find the 70-year-old, male victim deceased. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still being looked into, and the case is currently being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Castillo with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6933. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch police have to chase down man who was victim of gun fight

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 5:18 pm, Antioch Police received reports of shots being fired in the 2200 block of L Street. As officers were arriving, one male was observed running from the scene.

Officers gave chase for an extended period of time before they were able to locate and detain the 29-year-old male subject hiding in a rear yard on Manzanita Way. The subject was suffering from at least two gunshot wounds. His reason for running from the police was unknown. The man was transported to a local hospital, and his condition unknown at this time.

Evidence at the scene suggested that there may have been two groups shooting at each other. No suspects have yet been identified. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information to this crime is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department at the numbers below.

You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

C.A.S.T. for Kids fishing and boating event at Brannan Island on June 15

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

WHAT:

Children with a broad range of disabilities will have the opportunity to reel in a good time and a lifetime of memories as they join enthusiastic volunteers at the “Catch a Special Thrill” (C.A.S.T.) for Kids event.

WHEN:

Saturday, June 15 from 8 am – 1:30 pm

WHERE:

Brannan Island State Recreation Center

FEATURES & FESTIVITIES:

  • C.A.S.T. for Kids offers children from 7-16 years old with special needs and terminal illnesses an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing and boating, and encourages continued participation by developing fishing skills for the kids and their parents.

  • The free event provides a day of fishing on a boat, onshore activities, and a BBQ lunch.

  • Each participant will receive fishing gear, a tee shirt, a hat and a commemorative plaque.

  • California State Assemblyman Jim Frazier will make a special appearance at the event.

  • Spartan Bass Club and local fishermen will provide fishing boats and their expertise. The BBQ lunch will be provided by the Kiwanis International. Cal Fire will provide emergency services for the event.

CONTACT:

Martin Gerber, C.A.S.T. Event Coordinator; 916-376-9614, mgerber@water.ca.gov

Antioch council pursuing two tax measures for November ballot

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

By James Ott

Antioch leaders are hoping that it’s citizens will agree to increase the sales tax by a half-cent and to charge residential landlords in the city at least $20 a month for their rentals in order to fund a larger police force and improve code enforcement in the city.

At the May 28 city council meeting, city council members voted unanimously to approve key details of two proposed tax measures: a half-cent sales tax increase and a graduated license tax on landlords that own single family residential rentals in the city.

If the council makes the final approval at the June 11 council meeting, then the two measures will be placed on a special November 5 ballot and for the public to vote on. Although Antioch voters have previously rejected a sales tax increase, council members are more confident that clear ballot language and larger community outreach will mean that one or both measures have a good chance of passing this time around.

This is an opportunity for us all to come together, putting aside any political differences or any agendas for the purpose of moving our community forward,” said Mayor Wade Harper. “For making our community a safer community.”

The half-cent sales tax measure will temporarily increase sales tax in the city by a half-cent for the next seven years and is expected to to generate at least $4.7 million a year in revenue. The measure was initially supposed to be for ten years but city council members voted for a seven year tax after the Antioch Chamber of Commerce said that they would support the measure in seven year form.

If it passes the vote, the tax measure will be subject to independent audits and annual budget reporting as well as a Citizens Oversight Committee composed of seven Antioch residents who will oversee it’s implementation.

The residential landlord tax will function as a type of business license tax and so it will not have a set expiration date and it does not apply to apartment owners who are currently taxed based on a conventional formula using their gross receipts.

Instead the new tax will be for landlords who own residential rental homes. Citizens like Hans Ho – a member of the Friday Morning Breakfast Club that has been backing the landlord tax – say that these residential landlords are effectively running a business and so they should have to pay a business tax like everyone else.

If the tax passes, anyone owning 1 to 25 rentals will pay $240 per unit per year. The tax amount gradually decreases the more rentals one owns. So owning 26 to 50 rentals will cost $120 per unit per year, 51 to 150 will cost $75 per unit per year and 150 rentals or more will be $50 per unit per year.

The Friday Morning Breakfast Club estimates that the landlord business license tax will generate about $2 million a year.

The money from one or both measures would go directly to hiring more police officers to fight crime and to fund code enforcement to fight blight – two of Antioch’s most pressing needs.

The city council is hoping that the voters see the same value in the two tax measures that they do.

I think that everyone agrees that revenue needs to be brought into the city,” said Council Member Tony Tiscareno.

Staff reports say that the city has lost $13 million in revenue since 2007 and is expected to spend $3.6 million more than it is receiving in revenues in 2014.

The city council will make their final vote on whether to send the two measures to the November 5 ballot at their June 25 meeting, for an emergency item, which requires a unanimous vote by the council.

Antioch’s Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash honored as “Small Business of the Year” for the 11th Assembly District

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) recognized Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash of Antioch as the “Small Business of the Year” for the 11th Assembly District in a ceremony at the Sacramento Convention Center on Monday, June 10th.

Each year, the California State Assembly recognizes the contributions of small businesses in each Assembly district and their important role in the creation of jobs and growth for the California economy. The day began with workshops coordinated by the California Small Business Association, followed by a Salute to Small Businesses awards luncheon.

Juan Chen-Olsen and her husband, Dave Olsen, took over Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash and have since become passionate environmental advocates for the Delta. Upon taking ownership of the small business, Juan discovered that the car wash had not been recycling its water, which she said smelled of residual grime, gasoline, and grease from the cars that had been serviced. When the couple began researching solutions to resolve their water issue, they discovered that repercussions of using non-recycled water had a devastating effect on local rivers and the Delta.

The two invested in updated, eco-friendly equipment to develop a 75 percent recycling wash facility that both maximized the use of clean recycled water and minimized the amount of pollutants going into the local waste water treatment plant.

Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash is a prime example of how a small business can be both successful and environmentally friendly,” said Assemblymember Frazier. “I applaud Juan and Dave for their enthusiasm in preserving the Delta and for their admirable commitment to improving the community of Contra Costa County.”

The couple has also dedicated much of their time to educating the local community. Juan is known for bringing a ‘jug of sludge’ to local schools to educate children about the effects of dirty water flowing into storm drains. She also utilizes her business to assist non-profit organizations in car wash events so that they don’t have to resort to ‘parking lot fundraisers’ that could cause harmful pollution to the Delta.

I am thrilled and grateful for Mr. Frazier’s nomination,” said Juan. “I immediately gathered all my employees together and shared the news with them because I feel I would never get here without them. I feel finally somebody recognized the importance of the green car wash business and the positive impact it can have on our Delta waterway.”

To contact Assemblymember Jim Frazier please visit his website at www.asmdc.org/members/a11/ or call his District Office at 707-399-3011.

Follow Assemblymember Jim Frazier on Facebook and “Like” him for updates on events and happenings in the 11th AD.