By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Photo: CCC Clerk

The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office will officiate wedding ceremonies on Valentine’s Day – the most romantic day of the year.  Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Sunday, February 14th.  Twenty-one ceremonies will be performed at the Contra Costa County Clerk’s office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.

“Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year and despite the many limitations posed by the pandemic, we are thrilled to offer safe, socially-distant appointments for couples to exchange nuptials on this special and popular day that symbolizes never-ending love,” Assistant Clerk-Recorder Barbara Dunmore said. “Not surprisingly, the appointments filled to capacity very quickly.”

Typically, the County Clerk’s Office officiates Valentine’s Day ceremonies as part of the Destination Wedding program in a picturesque or historic location. The pandemic has caused this program to be put on hold for the near future.  It is not likely to resume until the shelter order is lifted.

As with all ceremony appointments offered throughout the pandemic, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office takes precautions to keep our constituents and our staff safe.  Strict COVID-19 protocols will be in place and ceremonies will be conducted with a glass barrier between the couple and the officiant.  Only the couple getting married will be permitted in our lobby.

All appointments for the Sunday ceremonies have been filled, and the County Clerk’s Office does not accept walk-in appointments.

Before the ceremony, couples must obtain a marriage license at the main office in Martinez. The civil marriage ceremony fee is $60. Couples can obtain a public marriage license for $86 or a confidential marriage license for $90.

The County Clerk’s Office continues to conduct wedding ceremonies during the week.  Couples interested in having their ceremony at the Martinez office must make an appointment.  For information about marriage license and ceremony services, go to https://www.ccclerkrec.us/ or call the office at 925-335-7900.

UPDATE: CHP Officers have not yet interviewed female who was intubated

By Allen Payton

The CHP is investigating a solo vehicle crash on Highway 4 east of Somersville Road in Antioch that occurred Sunday night and injured two, a woman and man, both reported to be Hispanic and in their early 20’s.

Asked if it was caused by a DUI driver, CHP-Contra Costa Public Information Officer Brandon Correia responded, “the female driver was not under the influence, but the male passenger was. She rolled the vehicle and sustained major injuries but as far as officers know, not life-threatening, and was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek.”

However, questions have arisen of who was the actual driver of the vehicle. It was reported the male’s mother arrived on the scene and drove him to a different hospital.

Asked which side of the vehicle sustained most of the damage, if there are any photos available, if either had alcohol in their systems when they arrived at the hospital, and who called 9-11, Correia responded, “all of this is under investigation.”

“The officers on scene went off what evidence was located and statements of involved and witnesses,” he continued. “I was told by officers they did not have enough information at the time of the crash and her interview at the hospital to place her under arrest for DUI.”

“The report investigation is not complete,” Correia added. “And there are no pictures to publicly share.”

10:35 AM 2/9/21 UPDATE – NO INTERVIEW OF FEMALE, YET

CHP-Contra Costa PIO Correia provided the following additional information Tuesday morning:

“Our preliminary collision report from the incident is as follows:

Our officers received a call of a solo vehicle collision on Hwy-4, east of Somersville Road, and reported by witnesses to have collided into the concrete center divider. Upon their arrival, they located a solo vehicle collision with two occupants. (One female and one male) The vehicle had consistent damage of colliding with the concrete center divider. The driver side of the vehicle had extensive damage and lots of blood, while the passenger side had little damage. (Both occupants were out of the vehicle upon Officers arrival.) Officers located the male with his parents (who were already on scene) and he had only suffered very minor injuries. Officers confirmed he had been drinking and he related he was the passenger and related the female was the driver.

Officers located the female in the back of the ambulance (already on scene) being treated by emergency personnel for major lacerations and injuries. The female was unable to provide a statement at the scene, but officers observed her injuries and her covered in blood (which is consistent with her being the driver and suffering injuries from the major damage to the vehicles drivers side and blood covering her driver’s side of the vehicle. She was transported to the hospital by the ambulance.

Once Officers arrived to the hospital, they contacted the female driver but she was put under intubation by the hospital staff and was unable to provide a statement. The officers did not observe any apparent signs and symptoms of intoxication/impaired.

At this point, due to evidence on scene, vehicle damage, blood in particular areas, passenger statement, and witness statements (including 911 calls), the Officers determined it was a solo vehicle, major injury, non-DUI collision.  The investigation is still pending as the officer needs to obtain a statement from the female driver and that should happen very soon when she is able to communicate.”

Editor:

An open letter to Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

Ms. Becton, have you ever read John Chapter 8 about the woman who was caught doing something wrong? According to the law, she should have been punished.  No, she should have been killed because she went against the law. As a lawyer, a judge, and a manager, you are supposed to be a servant of the law in CCC.  You hold people accountable to the law and you punish them for breaking it.  But who are you to judge them when you put yourself above the law? Do you consider yourself “more privileged?” You are supposed to be an example.

In August 2020, when the governor mandated the county to avoid “gatherings of any size” because of a high health alert for Covid-19, you, nonetheless, disregarded that order and organized an event with 20 – 30 people in attendance.  In addition, you announced your plans to all of your neighbors so they could expect a lot of cars in the neighborhood.  You say, “I had a wedding in my yard that was really based upon the love that we shared.”  Really?  Love?  Not on the “scientific data?” Not on the state regulations? What about the love for a dying person in the hospital and the spouse is forbidden to be at their bedside? Shouldn’t they be allowed in “for love?” Are you the same person whose office is part of a task force cracking down on violators of state and county coronavirus guidelines?  How could you have not known “the rules” for public gatherings?  Really?

You are a violator. And you’re in the wrong profession.  You should step down.  You do not hold the line of integrity this county needs. You have broken trust with the public.  You are living a double standard and NOT living by the oath you took in September 2017.  You deliberately defied the governor’s order.  But the real question is this: Did you knowingly disregard the order because you really don’t believe the coronavirus is truly a serious threat to our society?  Perhaps you really believe that the governor is using Covid as an excuse to “mandate” his agenda for the state. Maybe you really believe that having a wedding reception IS a safe event for everyone who attended.  Maybe you shouldn’t be on the task force representing state and county “guidelines.”

You took an oath and said, “I solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney and counselor at law to the best of my knowledge and ability.” Your actions prove otherwise, and you now join the ranks of hypocrites with our governor and his co-horts.

As C.S. Lewis once said, “Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real right and wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking one to him, he will be complaining, ‘It’s not fair’ before you can say Jack Robinson.”

Laquetta Franz

Antioch

“I did everything I believed was in proper guidance with what I thought was allowed.” – Diana Becton

Won’t say who her new husband is, or provide any details about him or their ceremony

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. From CCC website.

By Allen Payton

A report by the San Francisco Chronicle and another by Fox News on Sunday, Feb. 7 accused Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton of violating COVID-19 orders by hosting a wedding and reception in her back yard, last summer. According to the report, neighbors were informed that “there would be ‘20 to 30’ extra cars parked in the area.”

It turns out that it was Becton’s own wedding and reception “in the backyard of her El Sobrante home on Aug. 1 to celebrate her marriage to her new husband.”

However, while “the event was a small, outdoor wedding and adhered to state and county restrictions, which allowed for outdoor religious and cultural events including weddings, but not receptions or after-parties. Parties that bring together people from numerous households were banned then and still are, according to the state Department of Public Health.”

Becton’s note to neighbors about her wedding. Source is anonymous.

Becton responded Sunday evening with the following post on her campaign Facebook page:

“A news article was published today about my wedding last year. The article highlighted details of my ceremony, which was held outdoors in the backyard with a very close group of family members and friends. I wanted you to hear directly from me before further attention is given to my ceremony.

In advance of my wedding, I called our local health department for guidance to ensure I was abiding by state and local health guidelines. I believed that since this was an outdoor only event that I would be okay as long as proper safety precautions were adhered to. I ensured all my guests had their temperature taken before entering the backyard, everyone wore masks, and were socially distanced throughout the ceremony. While I did serve food after the ceremony, the meals were individually plated and served to each guest. I did everything I believed was in proper guidance with what I thought was allowed. I realize public officials like myself are held to a higher standard, as we should be. We are all being asked to make sacrifices during COVID, and that includes those who serve the public. There were no cases of COVID-19 associated with my wedding.”

No Details About New Husband

Asked for details about her new husband including his name, and for a photo from their wedding, Becton did not respond. Instead, her spokesman Scott Alonso wrote, “DA Becton does not have any further comment per your inquiry to her.”

UPDATE: It was later learned that Becton married a minister, the Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Bernstine. (See related article)

Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

Residents in the Hansen Park area of Antioch (in the Black Diamond Hills) may have seen a lot of police activity Sunday afternoon. Officers were sent to a call of an individual armed with a knife experiencing mental distress. Upon the arrival of the first officers, the individual ran up the hill (with the knife) toward the park where children were playing. The entire APD dayshift responded (thankfully the next shift was already starting) to secure the park and form a containment perimeter.

Officer Kathain deployed his drone and located the individual still in possession of the knife on the hillside. Over the next hour, Officers Ewart, Milner and Amiri, along with Sergeant Rose, began a dialogue with him, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. We are glad to say the situation was safely resolved and he is now on his way to the hospital for emergency psychiatric intervention.

APD officers train regularly for these situations, including crisis intervention and resolution techniques. We have said this before, but we are so appreciative to our community for giving us the tools and resources necessary to help those who need it the most. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. Remember, we are always here for you.

Special thanks to personnel from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District for their assistance with this incident.  #antiochpdca   #servicetoourcommunity

Police searching for brown 1990’s Chevrolet pickup

By Corporal James Colley #4705, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On February 6, 2021, at approximately 6:31 pm, APD Officers responded to the 2400 block of E. 18th Street on a report of a juvenile that was hit by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers learned the 15-year-old male was riding a non-registered dirt bike eastbound on E. 18th Street when he was struck by a pickup truck. Per witnesses on scene, the pickup truck was described as a brown, 1990s Chevrolet. The unknown driver of the truck did not stop and fled the scene, continuing eastbound on E. 18th Street.

No suspects have been identified at this time. The juvenile was transported to a local Bay Area hospital, with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Hit and run driver’s car. Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

See something? Say something!

Yesterday, around 9:30 am, APD Dispatch received 9-1-1 calls reporting a vehicle collision at Lone Tree and Muirwood Ways. While officers were responding to the scene, a witness reported one of the involved vehicles (a gray Buick), ran the red light and was fleeing the scene. The witness gave a description and license plate of the vehicle, but that’s not all – he watched (from a safe distance) as the barely drivable Buick continued down Lone Tree Way for over two miles with the airbags deployed. Thanks to his actions, officers were able to quickly locate the vehicle and detain the driver, who it turns out had a suspended license and no insurance. He will have a future court date to explain his actions to a judge, and his now totaled vehicle was impounded.

Victim’s car. Photo: APD

What can you do if you see something that needs our attention? Remember, never put yourself in danger (that’s what we get paid for!). Try to obtain a description of the vehicle + license plate and get on the phone with 9-1-1 (if an emergency) or by calling (925) 778-2441 if it’s a non-emergency.

Thankfully, none of the involved parties to this collision were seriously injured (but we imagine they’ll be a little sore today). When the witness was asked why he took action, he said “What if this happened to my family?” Can we get a special thanks to our Good Samaritan neighbor from Brentwood that saw something – and said something? Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe!  #antiochpdca  #neighborshelpingneighbors

Police Officers observe, Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair participates; not shown on Comcast Channel 24 due to “connectivity issues”; online feed ends before breakout session reports completed; will be on City website “ASAP”

By Allen Payton

The second of three Bridging the Gap dialogues, sponsored by the Antioch City Council, on the issue of Racial Disparities in Policing ended early with a communications gap. Held Saturday morning, Feb. 6, the session was introduced by consultant Hildy Saizow, Senior Advisor, CNA Center for Justice Research and Innovation, who said, “As your city confronts the critical issues of racial injustice and police community relations… (the forum) provides a wide, cross-section of people who live and work in Antioch to share their perspective on the issues. Ultimately these Bridging the Gap discussions will result in actions” by the city council and police department.

Antioch Police Officers would be participating as observers only, she said.

CNA’s “expert on policing” Stephen Hickman introduced the issue for the days discussion by defining racial disparities in policing as, “the percentage of a racial group in a general population compared to a specific racial group in police actions. Nationally, Blacks make up 13% of the population but 25% percent of arrests. That’s a racial disparity. Where they exist, they may require examination.”

“Since the hiring of Chief Brooks, the high number of disparities has been addressed,” he shared.

“Acknowledging disparities is the first step in moving forward,” Hickman concluded.

The 75 randomly selected participants then broke into five, small-group sessions for about an hour. At least one of the members of the Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission, Chair Sandra White, participated in the second session.

Breakout Session Reports

After returning from the breakout sessions, a member of CNA’s team from each of the sessions reported a summary of what their groups discussed.

Ben Carleton said his group “wanted Antioch Police to be out in the community, more” and “start treating people as human beings, with respect. This goes both ways. Individuals need to treat each other respectfully.”

“Everyone had something to say,” said another CNA team member about his group. “Everybody felt strongly in this regard…there has to be a two-way conversation…between police and citizens. Coupled with that in some sense…the police department has been held back, stifled a bit. There was a sense that they had not learned enough about what the police department had done. Community policing is important…there’s a desire to get back to those practices. There needed to be outreach to those communities and individuals who might be more affected.”

“On the three types of bias, there was a strong sentiment that this police bias is very important and a desire for a better explanation of why,” he continued. “There might be training but they need to know more.”

“There was discussion that the police department look more demographically like the population,” he concluded.

At 11:20 a.m., as another presenter began sharing the comments from her group the City’s online video feed cut out. Mayor Lamar Thorpe told the Herald, “I’ll make sure it (the video) gets on the website, ASAP.”

The session wasn’t shown on Comcast Channel 24, either. When informed of that Thorpe replied, “We had connectivity issues.”

CNA will provide a report following the third and final Bridging the Gap forum to be held on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 10:00-11:30 am. on the topic Police-Community Engagement. To participate in that forum, register here.

Please check back later for more details from the remainder of the second session or watch it on the City’s website once it’s been saved, here. Watch the first Bridging the Gap Dialogue on Police Oversight, Accountability and Transparency, here. (See related article).