Would eliminate Antioch mayor’s job; Board President challenges Frazier whose district doesn’t include most of the healthcare district

By Serina Hartinger, Media & Communications, Office of Assemblymember Jim Frazier

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Friday, April 16, 2021, Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Fairfield) passed AB 903 the Assembly Local Government Committee on a unanimous vote of 8-0 to dissolve the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District. The bill will now be sent to the Committee on Appropriations. If it passes there it will head to the floor for a vote by the full Assembly. Should it pass there, it still needs both State Senate approval and the governor’s signature before becoming law.

The Los Medanos Hospital closed in 1994 but the district, covering Pittsburg and Bay Point, has continued to exist, collecting property tax dollars and using the funds to pay for staff and provide grants to local organizations, direct service programs including a community garden and district sponsored programs including REading ADvantage for early literacy. The district’s 2020-21 Fiscal Year budget projects $1.13 million in tax revenue and $1.3 million in expenses.

“As all of you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical shortfalls in healthcare and health services funding across the state. Communities of color have been especially impacted by the emergency,” said Frazier. “Now more than ever, we have seen the life-changing impacts of devoting every possible dollar to serving those we represent. AB 903 is a district bill that takes strides towards addressing this issue. The bill effectively creates hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for badly needed healthcare services in the region.”

AB 903 will dissolve the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District and require the County of Contra Costa to be the successor of all rights and responsibilities of the district. AB 903 will also require the county to complete a property tax transfer process to ensure the transfer of the district’s health-related ad valorem property tax revenues to the county in order to operate the Los Medanos Area Health Plan Grant Program.

The Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has approved of the dissolution of the existing healthcare district, and Contra Costa County already serves the communities within district boundaries.

The bill was co-sponsored by Assemblymember Tim Grayson, (D-Concord).

The Los Medanos Community Healthcare District (LMCHD) was formed in 1948 to operate the Los Medanos Community Hospital. In rural communities, such districts were created to provide for hospitals that otherwise would not exist. LMCHD operated the hospital until 1994 when the hospital closed due to bankruptcy. Since then, LMCHD has not provided any hospital, physician, or emergency medical services. Instead of providing direct services, LMCHD funds third-party agencies that provide health-related programs.

“This bill effectively creates hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for badly needed healthcare services in the region. A lot of this funding comes from the savings on LMCHD’s extremely high administrative expenses, which topped 60% in some years,” said Frazier. “That is simply unconscionable.”

“Comparable programs in the county average at about 15% admin cost, and a nearby healthcare district runs at a maximum of 20% in admin costs. Rather than lose over half the funding to wasteful administrative expenses, AB 903 dedicates those dollars to the community,” he added.

Some of those administrative expenses include the salary and benefits for Executive Director Lamar Thorpe who is the mayor of Antioch, whose job would be eliminated if the bill becomes law.

UPDATE: In response to efforts to reach him and Board President Patt Young, Thorpe provided the following letter from Young to Frazier.

“Dear Assemblymember Frazier:

On behalf of the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District, I am writing to you in response to your introduction of AB 903.

Given that 98 percent of our healthcare district does not fall within your assembly district, or the fact that you have never attempted to build a relationship with our board or programs, I am quite perplexed as to why you would introduce this legislation without attempting to understand how we serve eastern Contra Costa County.

This letter is not intended to be interpreted as an attempt to appeal to your reason or logic, as we are well aware of the fact that you are taking political orders from your top political advisor in an effort to turn our district into a political slush fund for one of your top allies on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

Let me be clear in stating that, although to you this is simply a political game, to our healthcare district, you are jeopardizing a critical healthcare prevention lifeline for many in our community. From free reading glasses for children to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, many of the community members we serve participate in our programs because they do not feel that they have their needs met via Contra Costa’s public healthcare system.

Lastly, I have to state for the record that the manner by which you introduced this legislation has been interpreted to be highly disrespectful by both my board and community. I suspect that, if the makeup of our board were more in line with the makeup of the Oakley City Council, you would not have been as disrespectful as you have been to date.

Neither my board, nor my community will stand idly and accept to be treated in any manner less than the respect we deserve.

Sincerely,

Patt Young

President

Los Medanos Community Healthcare District”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

Officer involved critical incident protocol initiated

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, April 16, 2021, at approximately 12:50 AM, Antioch police officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 200 block of W. 3rd Street for a 9-1-1 call. The caller reported that a family member was having a mental health crisis, and he was feeling suicidal.

Two officers responded to the call. When the officers arrived, they made their way to the second-story unit. As the officers entered the unit, a male subject emerged from the kitchen holding a knife stating that he wanted to die. As the male subject approached the officers, they started talking to the subject asking him to drop the knife. At the same time, the officers backed away from subject and out of the unit onto the second-story landing. The subject followed the officers outside brandishing the knife, while the officers gave him commands to drop it. The subject turned around, went back into the apartment and closed the front door.

The officers created time and distance by moving away from the apartment in accordance with their training. The male suddenly exited the apartment and charged at them with the knife still in his hand. The subject did not comply with the officers’ commands to drop the knife or stop, and he continued to charge at them. One officer used his Taser, but it was not effective, and the subject continued to charge at the officers. The second officer fired his department issued pistol two times striking the subject twice.

The subject fell on the landing and dropped the knife. Afterwards, the officers called for emergency medical personnel to respond as they administered first aid to the subject. The subject was transported to a local area hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Due to the circumstances surrounding this incident, the countywide Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident (LEIFI) protocol was initiated. Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and Detectives with the Investigations Bureau, along with a team of Deputy District Attorneys and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

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.

Over 15,000 miles were logged during the 12-day competition

By Allen Payton

Members of the Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch presented checks of $500 each to three schools in Antioch, this week, rewarding them for their participation in the service organization’s annual Holiday Run and Walk for Health. This year, the competition was held virtually and required participants to run or walk and log their own miles during a 12-day period. The top Antioch schools that formed teams and participated in each category were Deer Valley High, Antioch Middle and Carmen Dragon Elementary. Checks were presented to the schools, this week with two done by club members on Thursday, April 15.

The students could recruit whomever they wanted to run for their team and Prospects High School, with one of the smaller teams, recruited some ultra-marathoners and almost beat Deer Valley. Both teams logged over 2,000 miles.

Paul Schorr, who has led the organizing of the event in previous years, said the club has held the competition for the past 43 years. This was their 44th year.

“Katie Young stepped up and coordinated the event, this year,” he shared.

“Close to 600 participants signed up,” Young said. “They logged their miles they walked or ran over a 12-day period. A total of about 15,000 miles were logged. A couple teams recruited ultra-marathoners.”

“And 2,000 miles were from our school,” said Antioch Middle School Principal Lindsay Wisely.

“I think you did a heck of a job coordinating,” she said to Young.

“On behalf of the faculty staff and students we are grateful for the support from the Kiwanis Club,” Wisely stated. “We have a running club on campus and plan to use the funds for equipment and prizes associated with our club.”

During the presentation to Carmen Dragon Elementary, Principal Mark Hemauer said, “we had 31 participants who completed 1,837 miles.”

Asked how he planned to spend the money Hemauer replied, “I’d like to use it for our PE program because it was a physical activity and competition for when the students come back, hopefully fully next year.”

“I really appreciate the Kiwanis Club organizing this, I’ve been a runner in past years. But continuing it this year during the pandemic and having them give back to us is really special,” he added.

Deer Valley teacher Michael Green, the school’s head coach for both the cross country and track teams, received the check on March 31, during the Delta-Antioch Rotary Club meeting.

“The funds will be used to take those same runners who helped us earn that money to multi-school invitational cross-country races,” he said.

“Thank you to the Kiwanis Club for doing these great events and I encourage others to join their club and other service clubs to serve our community,” Green said.

Club President and Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees Vice President, Dr. Clyde Lewis shared thoughts from both of his positions.

“This is an example of community and schools working together. Our goal as a Kiwanis Club is to engage, encourage and promote collaborative opportunities,” he said. “As a school district this approach mirrors the support and relationship building that we hope to promote in our young leaders.”

 

 

Arrests made in 18 communities including as far away as Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with the help of 27 agencies.

“I owe this city an apology that the gang violence that started in Oakland has made its way to Antioch.” – Oakland Police Chief Armstrong

By Allen Payton

During a press conference, Thursday morning, April 15, 2021, Antioch Police Chief T Brooks announced the arrests of 48 gang members and associates duringing a complex, six-month investigation involving 24 agencies for murder, attempted murder and illegal guns. The effort removed 40 firearms, including 15 “ghost guns” off the streets and over $100,000 in cash. He was joined by Oakland Police Chief Leronne Armstrong and Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton who shared their appreciation for the joint effort. 2021-OPERATION WINDSTAR Presentation (See press conference video)

Known as Operation Windstar, Brooks presented the timeline beginning with the January 12, 20202 shooting in Oakland, which was linked to a firearm collected months later in Antioch, during a vehicle search of a known Case gang member. Operation Windstar Timeline

The chief explained how the investigation began with the August 29, 2020 murder of Case gang member Daunzhay Young in Antioch. He was shot with a short-barrelled AR pistol, and thirty-two rifle casings were collected. Young had previously been shot in Antioch on July 13, 2020. (See related articles, here, here and here)

Following are Brooks’ prepared remarks:

“What started as a joint investigation between the Antioch and Oakland Police Departments, quickly evolved into a multi-jurisdictional and collaborative operation involving many law enforcement agencies throughout the State of California.  The investigation, portions of which are still ongoing, has already resulted in the arrest of numerous gang members for murder, attempted murder, assaults with firearms, conspiracy, firearm violations and enhancements, and gang participation enhancements, in accordance with California’s Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act.

First, I would like to recognize and thank Oakland Police Chief LaRonne Armstrong, as well as Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, for their partnership, support and attendance this morning.  Both will also be speaking here today, spotlighting some of these issues that are trending in our neighborhoods and jurisdictions, and offering insight from their perspectives and experience.

On August 29, 2020, twenty-year-old Daunzhay Young was murdered in broad daylight, in a quiet residential neighborhood, on Tioga Pass Way in Antioch.  He was chased on-foot while being gunned down by a male subject who used a rifle caliber AR pistol.  After Young fell, the suspect stood over him, using an execution-style tactic, and fired additional shots murdering him.  Detectives learned that Young was an active Case criminal street gang member, and he was targeted by a rival criminal street gang known as ENT, due to the ongoing and violent feud between the two Oakland-based gangs.  This initial homicide led to a long-term investigation into the violence surrounding this gang feud.

Detectives quickly realized Young’s murder introduced a larger narrative between the ENT and Case criminal street gang rivalry, and this was just the ‘tip of the iceberg.’  The investigation led into a deep-dive of the historical background of the ENT and Case criminal street gangs in Oakland and Antioch, to include their violent criminal behavior and lifestyle, and resulted in linking several other gang-related homicides, attempted homicides, and shootings committed in the months before and after Young’s murder.

Antioch Detectives reached out to Oakland Police Department’s Intelligence, Crime Reduction, and Gang/Ceasefire Units to leverage their valuable knowledge and extensive experience with these two gangs.  The partnership, collaboration, and open communication between our two agencies was critical to the success of this investigation, as was the flexibility and adaptiveness of the staff involved while the joint-investigation and overall effort began to take shape.

As the investigation took-off, Antioch and Oakland detectives identified the following timeline, linking seventeen shooting events and uncovering associates relevant to the ENT/Case gang rivalry.  Over the past year, Antioch had one homicide, five shooting victims, and four shootings where no known victims were identified.  In Oakland, they had one homicide, six shooting victims, and three shootings where no known victims were identified.

In about the middle of this timeline, Daunzhay Young was murdered.  During Young’s murder investigation, the Antioch Investigations Bureau also investigated two additional attempted homicides, not directly associated to the Young murder, but linked through the gang rivalry.  This effectively widened the scope of the current investigation, and increased the overall amount of resources needed to bring these cases to a successful resolution.

During the ongoing investigation, on February 27, 2021, a twenty-one year-old victim was ambushed and shot multiple times, in broad daylight, after he parked at a gas station on Lone Tree Way in Antioch.  As he exited the vehicle, he was shot approximately ten times by a male subject who used a 10mm semi-automatic firearm.  After the victim fell, the suspect stood over him, and struck him in the head with the firearm before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.  Associates with the victim returned gunfire prior to driving the victim to a local hospital.  Detectives learned the victim was an active Case gang member, and he was likely targeted by an ENT gang member.  Currently, the victim is alive and recovering from his injuries. (See related article)

Later that evening, there was a reprisal shooting in Oakland.  Several of the victim’s associates drove to Capp Street and Brookdale Avenue and fired several gunshots.  Oakland officers, aware of the earlier shooting, quickly responded to the area.  After several foot-chases, Oakland officers detained seven Case gang members and seized seven firearms.

Ten days later, on March 9, 2021, Antioch officers responded to a drive-by shooting, in a residential neighborhood, on Aspen Way.  The twenty-one and twenty-two year-old male victims just entered their vehicle to drive away when a suspect vehicle, that was waiting for several hours, drove towards them.  Multiple suspects opened fire critically injuring the driver and wounding the passenger.  Currently, the driver is alive and fighting for his life. (See related article)

Near the end of March 2021, and in collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office, it was determined the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau had enough evidence to arrest, and prosecute, those responsible for murdering Daunzhay Young, and attempting to murder the victims from the Lone Tree Way gas station, and Aspen Way shootings.

On March 30, 2021, Charles Bolden Jr. was arrested in Oakland by Oakland PD for the murder of Daunzhay Young.  Afterwards, a firearm and a large amount of cash were seized from the vehicle he was driving.

Later that day, Charles Bolden Sr. was also located and arrested in Oakland for the Young murder.  He was contacted near 41st Street in Oakland, and fled on-foot to a backyard shed where he barricaded himself.  After a short stand-off, Bolden Sr. was arrested peacefully by Oakland PD.  Afterwards, a pistol was seized from the vehicle he arrived in, along with two more firearms on the premises.

On March 31, 2021, five search warrants were simultaneously served and supported by SWAT Operations or Tactical Teams in different jurisdictions.  Two locations in Antioch were conducted by the Antioch PD SWAT Team on Fitzuren Road, and the Brentwood PD SWAT Team on Toyon Way.  The third location was in the City of Merced on Willowbrook Drive and conducted by the Merced PD SWAT Team.  The fourth location was in the City of Modesto and conducted by their tactical team, and the last was in the City of Los Angeles, which was conducted by their Gang Field Unit.

Eric Windom was arrested in Merced, and Keyshawn McGee was arrested in Los Angeles, for the attempted murder and drive-by shooting perpetrated on Aspen Way.

Later that morning, in Antioch, a fugitive apprehension team consisting of the Antioch Problem Oriented Policing Team and undercover detectives, attempted to contact Trent Allen as a passenger in a vehicle.  Allen fled on-foot through a business parking lot and was chased through a residential neighborhood.  The fugitive apprehension team caught Allen and took him into custody for his role in the attempted murder and drive-by shooting on Aspen Way.

Later the same day, the Antioch fugitive apprehension team located Terryonn and Armonie Pugh, both parolees-at-large, hiding out in an apartment complex in American Canyon.  With the assistance of American Canyon PD, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Terryonn Pugh was taken into custody as he tried to flee to a waiting vehicle.  Armonie Pugh was taken into custody, without incident, pursuant to a search warrant for the location.  During the search, a firearm and a large amount of cash were seized.  Terryonn Pugh was additionally arrested for the attempted murder at the Lone Tree Way gas station, and for his part in the attempted murder and drive-by shooting on Aspen Way.

On April 1, 2021, two search warrants were simultaneously served and supported by SWAT Operations in the cities of Vallejo and San Leandro.  The Antioch PD SWAT Team arrested D’Marco Lindsey in Vallejo for the murder of Young.  Evidence and firearms were located at the scene and collected.  The San Leandro PD SWAT Team, served a search warrant in their city, at a location associated with Lindsey and additional firearms were collected.

During the course of this investigation, Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit, and newly formed Gang Team, dedicated eight undercover detectives who provided more than 1,825 staff hours performing duties related to undercover operations, surveillance, interdiction, and arrests for these cases.

Antioch Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Crime Analysts, and Crime Scene Investigators dedicated another 23 detectives and staff members, who provided more than 4,750 staff hours, preforming duties related to investigations, interviews, data analysis, historical research, community engagement and collaboration, search warrants, video surveillance collection, crime scene reconstruction, and rapid evidence processing.

The Antioch Investigations Bureau authored and served over 100 search warrants.  Forty firearms, to include assault weapons, were seized and sent to the Contra Costa County Crime Lab for processing, and fifteen of those were ‘Ghost Guns’.  A ghost gun is a homemade or improvised firearm that lacks commercial serial numbers.  Thirty-six adult members of the ENT and Case criminal street gangs were identified, along with fifteen juveniles.  Many of them were arrested for crimes related to shooting assaults, robbery, burglary, firearm violations, and illegal drug sales.

I cannot emphasize enough how incredibly proud I am of the men and women of the Antioch Police Department.  Their hard work, tenacity, professionalism, and commitment to public safety inspires me daily, and I am honored to be their chief.

In addition to the human-factor, it cannot be overstated that the technological advancements leveraged by today’s law enforcement agencies also played a large role in the success of the investigations.  Technologies like ShotSpotter, LPR systems, community cameras, and partnerships with ATF and their administration of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, provide evidence-based data supporting their capability and effectiveness for having an impact on gun violence investigations, helping cities change the trajectory of violent crime in their communities.

As a law enforcement agency, identifying the people responsible for violent crimes in our community is only one part of the equation.  Being able to prove who did it, beyond a reasonable doubt, is another.  It is important for the victims of violent crimes and their families to have justice, and for those responsible to be held accountable.  As the Chief of Police, I am committed to leveraging partnerships and technology in order to reduce or eliminate gun violence in our community.  I truly value our partnership and the close collaboration with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, so we may continue to provide them with professional and complete investigations they can file in court.

It is now my pleasure to invite Chief Armstrong from the Oakland Police Department up to speak more on his agency’s involvement in this case, as well as their dedication to reducing gun violence.  But before I do, Chief Armstrong, please allow me to extend my sincerest appreciation and respect to you, and the members of the Oakland Police Department, for all the hard work and assistance you provided to us throughout this operation.

As I mentioned earlier, this was a taxing and very complex operation.  The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the following 27 agencies for operational support, surveillance, and take-down/arrests.”

Oakland Chief Armstrong

“I owe this city an apology that the gang violence that started in Oakland has made its way to Antioch,” Armstrong said. “I see weapons that should be used in war. But they are used in our communities. Everybody deserves to live in a safe community. I want to thank all the investigators from the Antioch Police Department who put in the hours. I’m hoping we can see a more safe community in Oakland and Antioch and the Bay Area.”

CCDA Becton

DA Becton shared her thoughts on the coordinated effort.

“Their cooperation and collaboration with our office has allowed us to stand here, today,” she said. “With this successful operation we are holding these ENT gang members responsible for the violence they have caused in our communities. Our department is prioritizing the arrests of these gang members. With the recent arrests, these violent gang members are no longer on the streets of Oakland and Antioch.”

Following are her prepared remarks:

“I want to thank Chief Brooks and Chief Armstrong for being here today. I also want to congratulate the prosecutors and inspectors in my office for their important work in filing this case. With the successful investigation and arrests here, we are holding these ENT gang members for the violence they caused.

East County is no stranger to gang violence. Unfortunately, over the years we have seen a growing trend of gang members moving here and operating in this area. This is one of the reasons we are so determined to get not only violent gang members off the streets but also illegal guns. The scourge of gun violence is impacting every single faucet of our neighborhoods. These agencies and my office are committed to prioritizing the arrest and prosecution of these violent and dangerous individuals.

This successful operation will further deter gang violence in East County and my office is committed to do everything we can to deter this type of violence. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, managed by my office, and these agencies did a tremendous job in bringing some closure to the victims’ families surrounding these heinous acts of violence. With the recent arrests, these violent gang members are no longer on the streets of Antioch and Oakland and our communities are safer.

This investigation remains very active and ongoing. We are continuing to work with our law enforcement partners and encourage anyone with information about these crimes to come forward.”

Timeline Details

• January 12, 2020: A shooting in Oakland on 13th Street was linked to a firearm collected months later, in Antioch, during a vehicle search of a known Case gang member.  No known victims were identified for this shooting.
• June 25, 2020: A known ENT gang member was shot in Oakland and walked into a local hospital where he was contact by OPD.
• June 27, 2020: A known Case gang member walked into an Antioch hospital reporting stab wounds that were consistent with gunshot wounds.
• June 27, 2020: An occupied residence in Antioch was shot multiple times.  The location was associated with Case gang members.  Five casings were collected and linked to the shooting below and a July 13 shooting.
• Jun 27, 2020: Oakland officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation (twenty-two rounds fired) and a traffic collision on MacArthur Boulevard.  A Case gang member was shot, driving a stolen vehicle, and in possession of a firearm with an extended magazine.  ENT suspects committed the drive-by shooting and more than fifty-one casings were collected and linked to other shootings.
• July 13, 2020: Antioch officers responded to shots being fired between two vehicles on Hillcrest Avenue.  Case gang member Daunzhay Young was struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital.  Seventeen casings were collected and linked to previous shootings.
• August 14, 2020: Oakland officers responded to Beverly Avenue for a shooting of a Case gang member, who was shot while seated in a vehicle.  The victim ultimately died the next day.  Multiple rifle casings were collected.
• August 27, 2020: Oakland officers responded to a shooting on High Street and contacted a Case gang member who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Three handguns were located and collected.
• August 29, 2020: Case gang member Daunzhay Young was murdered in Antioch.  Young was shot with a short-barreled AR pistol, and thirty-two rifle casings were collected.
• September 4, 2020: Oakland officers responded to a shooting on Foothill Boulevard and contacted two ENT gang members, one of which had been shot.  Fifty-six rifle casings were collected.
• September 6, 2020: Antioch officers responded to multiple shots fired at a residence on Catanzaro Way.  This was found to be a memorial gathering for Young.  Thirteen suspect rifle casings were collected, and eight return-fire pistol casings were collected.
• September 30, 2020: Oakland officers responded to two ShotSpotter activations on Hillside Street (fifteen shots and six shots).  Several casings were collected and linked to the above memorial shooting in Antioch.
• October 9, 2020: Oakland officers responded to shots fired near Crest Avenue and Fontaine Street.  No known victims were identified.  Several pistol casings were collected and linked to prior shootings in Oakland and Antioch.
• October 11, 2020: Antioch officers responded to an exchange of gunshots on Deerspring Way at a park.  No known victims were identified for this shooting, and ENT gang members are suspected to be involved.
• October 19, 2020: Oakland officers heard gunshots on Hillside Street and located a vehicle collision and several casings.  The scene was abandoned, but an ENT gang member walked into a local hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed into surgery.
• December 8, 2020: Antioch officers responded to several gunshots on Catanzaro Way.  No victims were identified for this shooting and several pistol casings were collected.
• January 1, 2021: Oakland officers responded to gunshots on Campbell Street.  An abandoned crime scene was located, and pistol casings were collected.  Shortly afterwards, an ENT gang member walked into a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Assisting Agencies

1. Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
2. American Canyon PD
3. Berkeley PD
4. Brentwood PD
5. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
6. CHP – Golden Gate Division
7. CCC Office of the Sheriff – Forensic Services Division
8. CCC Safe Streets Task Force
9. Concord PD
10. Federal Bureau of Investigation
11. Fremont PD
12. Hayward PD
13. Las Vegas Metro PD
14. Los Angeles PD
15. Merced County Safe Streets Task Force
16. Merced PD
17. Modesto PD
18. Napa County Sheriff’s Office
19. Oakland Housing Authority PD
20. Oakland PD
21. Oakley PD
22. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
23. San Francisco PD
24. San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
25. San Leandro PD
26. Vacaville PD
27. Vallejo PD

Thrown to the ground, purses stolen

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On April 13, 2021, at approximately 10:03 AM, Antioch officers responded to a strong-arm robbery near an Asian specialty market located in the 2700 block of Hillcrest Avenue. Two females, ages 50 and 70, were loading groceries into their vehicle after leaving the market. A four-door sedan with paper plates, occupied by three males, entered the lot and parked nearby. Two of the males got out and rushed the victims at the back of their car. It was reported that the male suspects attacked the victims, throwing them both to the pavement, and stealing both of their purses before fleeing in their vehicle. The victims were treated at an area hospital for bumps and bruises and have been discharged.

During a press conference, earlier Wednesday morning, on apologizing for and recognizing the burning down of Antioch’s Chinatown in 1876 and mistreatment of Chinese residents during that period of the city’s history, Mayor Lamar Thorpe mentioned the attack was “against two Asian women outside the County Market, the city’s largest Asian grocery store.”

UPDATE: Following an effort by the Herald to reach store manager, Richard Yen for any additional details, he responded Thursday morning April 15, “the customers are good, not a hate crime. They stole her purse.”

It was confirmed that witnesses could not see the one suspect who remained in the car, but described the other two as young, Black men.

The case has been assigned to Antioch’s Investigations Bureau – Violent Crimes Unit. Currently, detectives are following-up on the incident and are interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence, including security camera video. At this time, there is no indication this incident was a hate crime, but all aspects of the crime are being critically examined.

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.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Signs proclamation denouncing anti-Asian racism; also proposes youth mural project

By Allen Payton

During a press conference held Wednesday morning, April 14, 2021, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe proposed a resolution formally apologizing for the burning down of the city’s Chinatown in 1876, a historic district in the area of the city’s downtown where it was located and funding a permanent display in the Antioch Historical Society Museum, and an historic mural project by Antioch youth. In addition, he signed the proclamation adopted by the city council during last night’s meeting denouncing anti-Asian racism. (See video of press conference)

Thorpe also mentioned an incident that occurred, yesterday an attack against two Asian women outside the County Market, the city’s largest Asian grocery store. According to Antioch Police Chief T Brooks, it was a strong arm robbery. More details will be released, today.

Following is the PROCLAMATION DENOUNCING ANTI-ASIAN RACISM

Unanimously approved by the Antioch City Council on April 13, 2021

WHEREAS, Antioch is home to diverse communities and has been for many generations;

WHEREAS, we are disturbed and alarmed by the severity and frequency of hate crimes and race-based harassment against Asians and the Asian Pacific Islander Communities associated with COVID-19;

WHEREAS, the Asian-American experience in the Bay Area is a complex and multi-faceted history; WHEREAS, the first major wave of Asians came to the Bay Area during the Gold Rush and many worked on the transcontinental railroad in the nineteenth century and were met with racial hostility and animosity;

WHEREAS, in 1876, Antioch’s Chinatown was burned down and it later became Waldie Plaza. People of Chinese heritage were banned from walking Antioch City streets after sunset;

WHEREAS, during the late-nineteenth century, anti-Chinese sentiment resulted in conflict and extremely restrictive regulations and norms concerning where Asian Americans could live and in which occupations they could work, which were often enforced with violence;

WHEREAS, today, there are nearly 1.7 million Asians in the Bay Area, constituting nearly 24 percent of the overall population. We pledge to not repeat the egregious acts of discrimination in past and present history;

WHEREAS, having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19. No race, nationality or ethnicity is responsible for COVID-19;

WHEREAS, ignorance is the lifeblood of conspiracies that hamper our ability to fight the pandemic and endanger the most vulnerable; and

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch recognizes the negative impact of institutional and structural racism, past and present.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAMAR A. THORPE, Mayor of the City of Antioch, do hereby proclaim that racism against Asians and Asian Americans shall not be tolerated in any form, AND we stand in support of individuals and communities targeted by association with COVID-19, AND we urge everyone to interrupt instances of racisms and

intolerance by speaking up in support of equity, justice, and inclusion.

LAMAR A. THORPE, Mayor

The mayor then presented the signed proclamation to Andi Li, Area 4 Representative on the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees. Li thanked the mayor and council for the proclamation and shared some additional history of Chinese residents in Antioch and the U.S. helping build the transcontinental railroad and the levees in the Delta.

“Thank you, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe and the city council, for joining many other government entities and passing the resolution to condemn anti-Asian hate crimes. Thank you, Antioch residents for supporting the API community.  I am very honored to accept the resolution,” Li said. “In America, the overall hate crime rate decreased by 7% in 2020, but against Asian Americans, it increased by 160%.  It created hardship for many Asian families including my family. The resolution is very important for Asian Pacific Islanders, especially those living in Antioch.  It let us see the support from the community during this hardship. So, thank you very much.”

Thorpe’s Proposals

Thorpe proposed “funding some sort of permanent exhibit at the Antioch Historical Society Museum.”

Dwayne Eubanks, president of the society spoke of “a permanent program with exhibits to examine our past. May is Asian Pacific Islander Month and we will be having displays.”

According to Stan Davis, Treasurer of the Historical Society, as well as the city’s former Director of Public Works and City Engineer, who has lived here since 1964, no previous mayor or council has proposed an apology for the past anti-Chinese racism and burning down of Antioch’s Chinatown that he’s aware of.

The mayor also proposed the city “designate a Chinatown Historic District with appropriate signage and story which timelines what happened, here for residents to enjoy and others to come to our community to enjoy.”

Former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, who is president of the Rivertown Preservation Society, then spoke saying, “today we take the first step in recognizing a difficult part of our city’s history.” Following are her prepared remarks:

“On behalf of the Rivertown Preservation Society I am proud to be here today as we gather to ensure that the past and present story of Antioch is one that acknowledges our complex history and generations of diverse populations that built our community. Some may say that what happened in the past has no effect on who we are today. We believe this to be incorrect and that to the contrary, to not acknowledge the wrongs or intolerances of yesterday, can only make more plausible that they may happen again.  When we speak of atrocities such as 9/11 or Nazi concentration camps, for those that experienced these times, they will tell you to never forget.  To not remember, to not discuss, to not teach about acts that caused great pain, and human despair, we are most likely doomed to repeat.  Whether it effects a nation or a small community, memorializing difficult times and times of great celebration should be and frankly must be part of our story.

So, today the City of Antioch takes a first step in remembering a very tough part of our history, of our Chinese residents who were so instrumental in building our Antioch community and communities of the bay area and state of California. And what makes this acknowledgment and proclamation important and of even more significance is the intolerable hate that has most recently befallen our Asian communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Here, in Antioch, we will fight against racism and intolerance against people of all ethnicities and fight for equity, justice and inclusion and by doing so we will never forget.”

“Our Parks and Recreation Commission will play a role as well,” Thorpe said. Marie Arce, chair of the commission then spoke briefly of “acknowledging our wrongdoings”.

To “engage our youth” Thorpe then proposed “a downtown mural project that recognizes our Chinese American residents’ contributions to the community.”

Antioch School Board Vice President, Dr. Clyde Lewis spoke next, saying “in order for us to understand ourselves, where we want to be, we have to look at where we’ve been.” He wants to have an “encouraging conversation in moving our community forward.” Lewis spoke of his own family, his wife and children, who are of the AAPI community.

Thorpe then introduced District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, and mentioned Lewis and Eubanks, saying, “as African Americans, we know the pain of not having your government acknowledge” and offering “no apologies, no reparations…for historical wrongs.”

His fourth proposal was for “advancing a resolution that officially apologizes for the terrorizing of our Chinese residents.” That will require formal council approval and Thorpe said he will place it on a future council agenda.

Torres-Walker spoke next saying, “I stand here, today as a Black Latina in solidarity with the API community against all racial hate and harm. What side of history are we on in Antioch, in the Bay Area and across our country? We stand here before you to recognize a moment in time. We are not born hateful. Hate is learned. Antioch has chosen to rise from the ashes of a horrible past into a more inclusive future. To move forward in the future where we are not defined by our past. We have got to do differently in the City of Antioch for communities of color and poor communities.”

She then recited the Pledge of Allegiance, saying “when we say ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…I cringe, because today we still do not have liberty, which is freedom…for people in dark bodies who face harm.”

“I’m happy to stand here, today in a dark body as a Black Latina to say ‘we see you’,” Torres-Walker added.

UPDATE: She later posted the following “Full modified statement from yesterday’s Mayor’s press conference” on her council Facebook page on Thursday, April 15:

Thorpe then said he will be working with the historical society to develop the price tag for the permanent display at the museum and for establishing the historic Chinatown district.

Asked why this is being proposed now, Thorpe responded, “The impetus for this, now is we are all learning about this. As terms of this history of Antioch I learned about it when our former Mayor Don Freitas took me on a tour and told me about the tunnels. Eventually we would have gotten here because our council is very cognizant of culture and equity.”

Asked if there will be an effort to find the descendants of the owners of the land in Antioch’s Chinatown which includes Waldie Plaza and the two parking lots on each side of it that is now owned by the city, to compensate them, Thorpe responded that he will ask Eubanks to include that in the Historical Society’s research.

The funding will come from the General Fund, the mayor said, and the formal apology will be on the council agenda in early May. “I can apologize right here, right now but I think it’s more appropriate that the governing body do it…not just me,” Thorpe added.