Antioch’s interim police Chief Allan Cantando told the City Council last week that officers will investigate property crimes only when the value of loss is large, the suspect left fingerprints at the crime, is in custody or can be ID’d by witnesses. The department will continue to mail out forms for residents to report property damage or loss.
This isn’t a new idea. In fact, back in February 1993, former Police Chief Dave Lewis announced what he ironically called a Service Enhancement Program. The announcement informed residents that 1) the State of California was in a financial crisis “with no end in sight” resulting in a reduction of its financial obligations to counties and cities. 2) calls for service were continuing to increase at the rate of approximately 7% annually, while staffing had not increased over the past 3 years, resulting in too much volume for existing staffing levels.
Chief Lewis went on to state that “Out of 16 cities our size in California, we have the fourth highest crime rate and a population that grows by 25,000 a year: Despite that, we haven’t been able to hire any additional officers for the past three years and don’t expect to be able to hire more for another two or three years.”
His solution was to create a Community Oriented Policing Program, allowing officers to get back into the community and become a resource for handling problems more effectively. Additionally, the new program would reduce the need for officer response to calls that were no-lead or low priority in nature by documenting the call for service by creating a report via phone/computer, or by mail.
One has to ask why Antioch appears to be suffering more than some neighboring cities. Fiscal mismanagement? While it’s true that the city is suffering from an overall economic downturn, the writing was on the wall a few years back and trimming the budget and negotiating contracts with all employee groups requiring they pay a share of retirement cost should have been initiated then.
The following was released by the Antioch Police Department on Friday, January 14:
Community involvement and support is at the heart of our Community Policing efforts. With community interaction Antioch residents can and do help us fight crime.
We would like to share a success story from today which epitomizes the spirit of community policing. This story is just one of many examples which demonstrate just how hard our citizens and the men and women of the Antioch Police Department are working to make Antioch a safer community.
The officers and dispatchers assigned to work today will handle many calls for police assistance before their work day is over. Some days are busier than others. For example, just yesterday, during their 12 hour work shift, the same group of officers and dispatchers handled 214 calls for police assistance.
Today started off like any other day and at approximately 10:27 a.m. an attentive neighbor from the south east area of Antioch called 911 to report two male suspects had just broken into his neighbor’s home. The caller provided crucial descriptive information and described the actions of the suspects. At one point in time, 9 officers and 3 dispatchers worked on this call. As a result of a caring and attentive neighbor and the hard work of the officers and dispatchers, two suspects were apprehended for a residential burglary. At the peak of this crime, which involved the apprehension of the suspects, all of the police department’s resources were utilized. Officers were able to apprehend the suspects within 15-20 minutes of receiving the call from the neighbor. Some of the officers who were involved in this case will have many more hours of work to do on this case.
At approximately 11:17 a.m., at the opposite end of Antioch, another caring and attentive neighbor reported two male suspects going from home to home knocking on doors. The caller stayed on the phone with dispatch and also gave descriptive and detailed information about the suspects; even to the point of witnessing the suspects enter a home. At one point in time, 7 officers and 3 dispatchers worked on this call and we even enlisted the assistance of an air plane from the CHP to aid in the search for the suspects. Again the vigilance of the reporting citizens and police personnel resulted in the arrest of a burglary suspect. Although one suspect evaded arrest, there is no doubt our follow-up investigation will lead to his identity and ultimate arrest.
These cases are classic examples of the community and the Police Department working together to fight and solve crime. The men and women of the Police Department work very hard day and night while serving the citizens of Antioch and continually strive to fulfill their mission, which is to partner with the community to promote the quality of life in Antioch by proactively reducing crime with integrity and commitment to excellence.
As a result of the economic crisis we have lost valuable personnel and resources and may lose more. We need the public’s help more than we ever have and we strongly urge our citizens to get involved and become part of our Community Policing Team.
A new era is upon the East County branch of the NAACP. On Saturday the officers and members of the executive committee will take the oath of office for the 2011-12 operating years. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. in the large conference room in 301 W. 10th Street, Antioch.
Hernandez: 113 employees making $100,000+, pension spiking to $300,000
City Manager denies pension spiking taking place
By Dave Roberts
Tuesday night, in the first Antioch City Council meeting after what may have been the bloodiest December in city history, residents blasted the council for allowing the police force to decline, including the possible layoff of six officers, while crime escalates in the city.
Former Councilman Ralph Hernandez asked city officials to join in an investigation of how the city got to the point of having to potentially lay off police officers or face the possibility of bankruptcy. He places the blame on excessive salaries and benefits for city employees.
“One of the things that we found, of which the public should be aware, of why we are in such financial dire straits: in 2009 there were 113 employees that made over $100,000 in pay,” said Hernandez. “We had a couple of employees that were set to retire. And because of the questionable contracts that the City Council had approved, you had one employee that made $298,000, which is almost twice his yearly salary. Another employee, a police lieutenant, made $225,000. He spiked his retirement. Of the 113 who made over $100,000 in pay, 93 of those were officers of our (police) department. We are not blaming the officers. It is the decision makers that allowed it to happen.”
Hernandez suggested there could have been tradeoffs between council members and union officials: generous compensation packages in exchange for electoral support. “We are going to ask several bodies to conduct a thorough and complete investigation as to what happened,” he said. “It is not the citizens’ fault for the financial mess that we are in. It’s not the employees’ fault, although the employees have benefited greatly. It’s the ultimate decision makers and some of the staff that have allowed this to happen.
“So, we need answers. It’s a lot like Bell, California. The decision makers allowed that to happen. People were spiking their retirement pays and other things. We ask you to join us. The population of Antioch deserves those answers. We are not picking on employees. They have made a tremendous amount of money. That is one of the reasons why we are in the problem that we are. Ultimately, what we want to know is this: How much total is the City of Antioch paying out total toward retirement? That includes the city’s share and the employees’ share. That will probably give you some answers.”
The council members did not respond to Hernandez’s comments. City Manager Jim Jakel, via e-mail, denied that pension spiking has taken place in Antioch: “I spoke to Ralph at the meeting. No pension spiking occurred. The two employees (both with I think 25 years or more and senior positions) he mentioned retired and had payments of accrued benefits and leave under existing contracts – most of it is non PERS (Public Employees Retirement System), which means it has no impact on pension. No one who has worked for Antioch has ever had a pension of $296,000 a year, nor is it likely any time in the next several decades if ever.
“I know little about Bell, but have heard his (city manager) pay was $800,000 and a similar size pension. My pay in 2009 was $218,000 and likely will be less on my 2010 W-2. My pay is below the mid-point for City Managers in Contra Costa. I haven’t got an official pension estimate, but with total public service today of about 22 years between Martinez and Antioch, I think my pension would be more like $125,000 – but that is just a ballpark number.”
Jakel could not confirm Hernandez’s finding of 113 city employees (out of 275 currently) earning $100,000 or more in 2009. But he said that five of the top 15 earners in recent years have retired.
Jakel declined to respond to Hernandez’s call for an investigation, saying via e-mail, “The Council will be getting an update on the budget on Feb. 8 as previously scheduled. No mystery as why to we are running out of money. Revenues have dropped from $47 million to slightly more than $34 million in a 4-year period. So we have by attrition or layoffs reduced staff by more that 30% and used the fund balance to maintain operations at very basic levels.
“The retirement data is all on our website in the CAFR, but in short, PERS payment for retirement from that document is $4,928,575 for fiscal year 2010. Unfunded liability as calculated by PERS totals about $40,500,000.”
Governor Jerry Brown has announced his intention to abolish redevelopment agencies statewide which divert about $6 billion annually (12% of property taxes statewide) from public services such as schools, police and fire protection. Details will be forthcoming.
The goal of redevelopment law, approved by voters in 1952, was to eliminate blight, promote economic development and provide affordable housing. The way it works is that, when a property is designated as a redevelopment area, a base year property tax is established and from then on tax increments, which normally would have gone to cities, counties and vital public services (school districts taking the biggest hit), are diverted, going instead to payment of long term bonds issued by the agencies to finance projects.
The City of Antioch’s Development Agency (ADA) was formed in June 1974 for the purpose of renovating designated areas within the City limits.
During each weekend in January, there will be some minor delays between Pittsburg/Bay Point and Pleasant Hill stations due to track maintenance.
On the weekend of the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, the delays are necessary to accommodate work to modernize facilities at Pleasant Hill Station. BART’s best estimate is that delays for trains bound for San Francisco will be minimal (under 5 minutes) with delays of 10-20 minutes for trains in the Pittsburg/Bay Point direction.
We recommend that you adjust your travel plans accordingly to take into account these delays.
Schedule for January track maintenance work on Pittsburg/Bay Point line:
Saturday, January 8:Work begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Friday, January 14: Work begins at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 15: Work continues all day
Sunday, January 16: Work continues all day
Monday, January 17: Work scheduled to finish at 4:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 22: Work begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 23:Work begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 29: Work begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 30: Work begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Antioch Chamber of Commerce & Global Nx Level Strategies Present the NxLevel Business Plan Writing Course, which begins Wednesday, January 12 from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. The 12-week (36 hour) Training Course Held Wednesday Nights at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.
The Global NxLevel Strategies Entrepreneur program is a business planning and management entrepreneur training course. Global NxLeveL Strategies brings with it the energy and excitement to captivate, motivate and inspire your communities’ entrepreneurs, youth-preneurs, start-ups, existing businesses and career seekers.
Global NxLeveL Strategies provides comprehensive business development and leadership-training. Business planning development is critical to start-up and existing businesses. We offer interactive instructor-led entrepreneurial training, which guides in planning, writing and launching your business vision.
Guest speakers such as attorneys, bankers, accountants and successful entrepreneurs bring added insights to the course. Join Us to learn more about the exciting world of Entrepreneurship.
Scholarships are available-Sponsored by the cities of Antioch and Pittsburg California. Ask about the payment plan. The course fee including a textbook, workbook and resource guide is $195 – valued at $1,250.
To Register Online Please Go To: http://entrepreneurcourse.eventbrite.com. For more information check out www.GlobalNxLevelStrategies.com.
Family Practice chiropractors across the country are banding together on a New.You.2011. campaign to help you Get Your ESS in Shape in the New Year by providing complimentary health consultations and services in their communities.
During the month of January, many of the nation’s over 60,000 chiropractors will be helping you Get Your ESS in Shape in an effort to provide complimentary “hands-on” health services and information about the three key components of fitness: Endurance, Strength and Structure.
Based on the best selling book The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, Dr. Brandon Roberts ,B.S., D.C. said, “We will be sharing information with people on how they can experience optimum health, and “Get in the best shape of their lives through nutrition, exercise, and the removal of nerve interference in the spine.”
The public is invited to attend a New. You. 2011. lecture on Sunday, 1/23/2011, from 2PM to 3:30PM at the Intuitive Healing Center Antioch, located at 213 G St, At this time, complimentary health and fitness information, and appointments for complementary chiropractic examinations will be offered to interested children, teens, adults and senior citizens. Please call 925-757-7571 for an appointment.
“We will be teaching families about the importance of all three components of your ESS, endurance, strength and structure and how structure supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself without drug intervention,” said Dr. Brandon Roberts.
One in 10 americans currently participates in regular chiropractic care as part of their fitness and health regimen. According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, over half a billion children also receive chiropractic care each decade in the U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Brandon Roberts’office is affiliated with The 100 Year Lifestyle and he is a member of The Family Practice, an international chiropractic group that is dedicated to leading family healthcare and lifestyle fitness. Members of The Family Practice who have helped organize “New.You.2011.” served over 60,000 new patients last year and performed nearly 12 million adjustments around the world.
To find out more about how chiropractic can boost the body’s immune system and keep your ESS balanced, please call 925-757-7571.
