Process continues, expected to conclude next week

“…some officers have returned to work or will be returning, although some have been terminated.” – APOA attorney Mike Rains

UPDATE: As of Friday, April 12, 2024, APD has 77 current sworn officers of which 50 are on full duty status.

By Allen D.  Payton

Following up on a February Herald article about the Antioch Police Officers still on paid leave for the investigation into the racist text scandal since last March, questions were emailed on Thursday evening, Feb. 8, 2024, to City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed and Human Resources Director Ana Chavez asking:

“How long can police officers or any city employee remain on paid administrative leave?

Since most of the officers merely received but didn’t send any of the text messages, what possible disciplinary actions can be taken against them? 

When will the officers who merely received but didn’t send any text messages return to work? Have any of them, yet? If so, how many?

Can the investigation just go on indefinitely and the taxpayers continue to pay the officers on leave to not do their jobs?

Can’t the officers return to work as each one is deemed to have not committed any fireable offense?

Or do all of them have to wait to return to work until after the entire investigation has been completed?

Have any disciplinary actions been taken against any of the officers, yet? If so, how many? What did they include?

Have any of you been approached or pressured by any of the council members to keep the investigation open and not allow the officers to return to work – other than the public statements by the mayor and Councilwoman Torres-Walker that they want all of them fired?”  (See related articles here and here)

No responses to those questions were received from the three city staff members.

At that time, out of 81 sworn officers on the Antioch police force, 31 were on some form of leave, most for the text investigation, leaving only 50 sworn officers actively working. As previously reported, most of the officers caught up in the scandal only received some of the text messages but didn’t send any. (See related articles here and here)

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in response to a resident claiming none of the officers were still on leave due to the text scandal, questions were sent to Reed, Interim Police Chief Brian Addington and Mike Rains, attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association.

They were asked if that statement was correct, if all the officers had returned to work and if any of them had been terminated.

Reed responded simply, “The process is still ongoing.”

Addington wrote, “That is incorrect, but I can’t comment further.”

However, Rains shared more details. He wrote, “We have not resolved all the cases. Some are resolved, and some officers have returned to work or will be returning, although some have been terminated.”

“I won’t discuss the outcome of administrative cases until all are concluded, probably in a week – 10 days,” he added.

According to a post by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, entitled, “April Police Staffing Update”, of the 115 sworn officer positions approved in the city budget, there are currently 89 sworn officers on the force, including nine Community Service Officers. Of that amount 39 are patrol officers. His report also shares that there are six officer candidates currently in the Police Academy and seven more are preparing to enter the academy this month.

But it doesn’t mention how many sworn officers are currently active. A question was emailed early Thursday afternoon to both Reed and Addington asking how many of the 80 non-CSO sworn officers are currently active.

UPDATE #1: They did not respond before end-of-business hours on Thursday. However, when asked if he had any comment, APOA Vice President Sgt. Loren Bledsoe responded, “The APOA cannot comment on personnel matters; however, we look forward to the conclusion of the investigation so we can focus on rebuilding.”

UPDATE #2: On Friday, Interim Chief Addington provided the following department staffing details, writing, “As you may be aware, staffing levels can change daily. With that said, as of today, APD staffing levels are as follows: 

115 – Authorized sworn staff

77 – Current sworn staff

5 – Modified duty (working but not able to work at full capacity)

22 – On some form of leave

50 – Full Duty Status

39 – Assigned to Patrol – 33 officers, 4 sergeants, 2 watch commanders

7 – Assigned to Investigations – 1 lieutenant 

4 – Command Staff

7 – Community Services Officers (4 vacancies).”

By Antioch Recreation Department & Celebrate Antioch Foundation

Locations: Antioch Water Park & Waldie Plaza

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

From Earth Day to Arbor Day, let’s work together to build a stronger, cleaner, more beautiful Antioch! Join us for our kick-off event happening Saturday, April 20th to begin our service to the community. Choose to serve downtown near Waldie Plaza or at the Antioch Water Park before heading to the Antioch Community Center for a volunteer lunch. End the week with us on Arbor Day helping to reach our goal of planting over 100 trees throughout the city!

Volunteers helping to clean up our downtown area will check-in at 9am at the Nick Rodriquez Community Center at 213 F Street in historic, downtown Rivertown Others who want to plant flowers will meet check-in at 9:00am at the Antioch Water Park in Prewett Family Park at 4701 Lone Tree Way.

An Appreciation Lunch will be held for volunteers from 12pm-1pm at the water park.

Please bring work gloves. Bags and grabbers will be provided.

What is Earth Day?

First held globally on April 22, 1970, Earth Day promotes worldwide demonstrations of support for environmental protection. Attention is drawn to the achievements made by the environmental protection movement and awareness is brought to methods of protecting the Earth’s natural resources.  Celebrated by billions around the world, Keep Antioch Beautiful is just one of the ways our community celebrates Earth Day.

What is Arbor Day?

First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating, and even climbing trees are encouraged along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist.

This year’s community services:

Planting Flowers | Antioch Water Park | #10874

• 9:00am Check in
• 9:30-11:30 Planting Projects
• 12:00pm Volunteer Lunch

Trash Cleanup | Waldie Plaza | #10875

• 9:00am Check in
• 9:30-11:30 Trash Clean Up
• 12:00pm Volunteer Lunch

Planting over 60 trees | Hansen Park | #10876

• Arbor Day – April 26, 2024

Ways to Get Involved:

1. Register for planting at the Antioch Water Park
2. Register for trash pickup in and around Waldie Plaza
3. Register to plant trees throughout the city on Arbor Day
4. Join in on our #KeepAntiochBeautiful campaign:

From Earth Day to Arbor Day (April 22nd – April 26th) show us how YOU and your family #KeepAntiochBeautiful. Post a picture of you, your family, friends, or coworkers performing an act of beautification for the city with the hashtag #KeepAntiochBeautiful AND tag the Antioch Recreation Department (@antiochrec_ca) to be entered into our raffle. On Arbor Day, three lucky entries will be chosen to each win a prize dedicated to them and their efforts toward the beautification of our lovely city!

For more information visit Keep Antioch Beautiful – City of Antioch, CA.

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting, sans Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, the Antioch City Council heard about two proposed new-home developments, one in the Sand Creek Focus Area and one on the far north side of the city. The mayor was in Washington, D.C. for the annual American Public Transit Association Legislative Conference, representing Tri Delta Transit for which he currently serves as chair.

Not all of the council members were supportive of the Richland Communities – Leung Property project adjacent to The Ranch development but all four offered enthusiastic support for the DeNova Homes’ Rancho Meadows project.

435-Home Leung Property Project in Sand Creek

Kyle Masters with Richland Communities spoke about the proposed 160-acre project on what’s known as the Leung property in the Sand Creek area across Deer Valley Road and south from the Kaiser Antioch Medical Center. (See Agenda Item 6)

The developer is proposing 435 units which includes 50 conventional single family detached units, 385 clustered single family detached residential units, and 159 row townhomes, according to the staff report and developer’s presentation.

“We’re looking at it more as an extension of our project, The Ranch project,” which is located just to the north. The first phase of that 1,100-home development was approved by the council last June. The proposed project is labeled, The Ranch – Phase 4.

“This provides more of a range of housing,” Masters continued. “A price point we may not have seen out there in Sand Creek. We see this as a second phase to The Ranch project.”

He said the project will, “provide a more affordable community. Lowering the entry point to homebuyers.”

During council discussion, District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica shared of his displeasure that neither developer had reached out to him prior to the council meeting.

“I really wish someone would have picked up the phone. But that didn’t occur. I learned of them by pulling up the agenda on Friday afternoon,” he stated. “So, developers, please communicate with us. Give me a call, so we have time to go over them and see how the developments will affect the community.”

Both District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock and and Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson, who chaired the meeting, spoke of the desire for inclusionary housing. District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker wanted to update the City’s General Plan which was last updated in 2003 before approving more housing in the Sand Creek area.

“The council adopted a housing element in 2023,” Acting Community Development Director and City Planner Steve Scudero responded. “We are almost to the point to bring a contract to hire a consultant to develop that (inclusionary housing) ordinance.”

“I live in a development that’s cluster housing. If you can figure out a way to make garbage service work, because it’s not working in my neighborhood,” Wilson shared.

“When I talk about inclusionary housing it doesn’t have to be there. It could be a credit for somewhere else,” Ogorchock added.

Asked by Wilson about not seeing any single-story homes in the plan, Masters responded. We’re just not at that level of detail, yet. We’re probably two to three years before coming back to you with this.”

“Most people are hoping we won’t be here, by then,” Torres-Walker responded. “But we’ll see what happens.”

143-Home Project with 6 Affordable Rental Units in Northeast Antioch

The other project proposed by DeNova Homes, is for a 143-home development off Vineyard Drive north of E. 18th Street. It includes six affordable rental units working with Yellow Roof Foundation. (See Agenda Item 7)

According to the city staff report, the residential development consists of 137 single family detached homes on approximately 2,600 square foot lots and six renter-occupied homes on 4,200 square foot lots designed for people who are at risk of being unhoused. The non-profit foundation is proposed to own and manage the six rentals.

Trent Sanson of DeNova Homes spoke during the presentation and responded to the councilmember’s questions.

Resident Andrew Becker, who usually opposes market-rate housing developments, spoke in support of the project.

During the council discussion Ogorchock spoke first saying, “I truly like the project. I think the lots are way small on this one. I think the park’s small. I’d like to see a bigger park. I’d also like to see a community garden.”

Agreeing with Torres-Walker, she said, “We have to have bathrooms in our parks.”

“I’m happy with Yellow Roof coming to town,” Ogorchock continued.

“I’d like to see walkability and trails,” she added.

Torres-Walker also liked Yellow Roof’s participation and hoped the homes would provide for transition into home ownership.

She advocated for larger sized back yards.

“I’m not a big supporter of gated communities,” Torres-Walker continued. “You can’t have a public park in a gated community. If it is, then you might want to rethink it being a gated community.”

“Is it affordable. I could be like everyone else saying you need a better paying job. People saying, ‘we need housing for all income levels. There has not been enough housing for low-income working families.

“15-minute cities. We use to live in those communities until we were pushed out with increasing rents,” Torres-Walker stated. “I just hope it actually has a pathway to home ownership.”

“I like the location…the fact that we’re doing this, that you put Yellow Roof in there,” Barbanica stated. “When a developer steps and does that and puts six units in there with ADU’s the money has to come from somewhere, either market-rate homes or smaller lots.

“You’re taking six units and saying, ‘come in here and pay whatever you can afford,’” he continued. “I do appreciate the fact that you are doing this in Antioch.”

“A little bit larger lots, if you can,” Barbanica added.

“They did call me, because it’s in my district…for the record,” Torres-Walker interjected.

“The individuals that go into these houses with lower rents, part of the money is set aside for them to get into home ownership,” Wilson inquired.

Confirming what she said, Sanson shared, “We try to keep it to a three-year program so people can get their financial affairs in order. We want to help more and more people that we can. Then they graduate on to home ownership.”

“I love that program but if you could add a couple more affordable units,” Wilson added. “I can support this project.”

Sanson then stated his company will work with city staff and include what was shared by the council members to finalize the project plan. Once ready, it will then be heard by the Planning Commission before returning to the council for a final vote.

Some campers relocated from Wilbur Avenue cleanup in March; 18 vehicles with expired tags towed; police recover 3 stolen vehicles from location; advocate complains, acting city manager explains

By Allen D. Payton

Some of Antioch’s homeless residents living in campers and motor homes that were cleared from Wilbur Avenue on March 22, 2024, relocated to private property in Antioch off Laurel and Neroly Roads, in the land next to Highway 4 along the creek. Posts on social media on Monday, April 8, 2024, showed Antioch Police Officers on the scene clearing the new encampment. Accusations were made by both the unhoused that officers blocked in the campers, not allowing them to leave and instead, towed some of the vehicles.

Local homeless advocate, Nichole Gardner drove to the site during Monday’s abatement and spoke with one of the residents named Harry who said, “they gave us notice, then the blocked the gate not letting anyone get out.”

She also asked an officer why there were no members of Antioch’s Care Team on site at the time, referring to them as “the purple people” as they dress in purple-colored shirts. He directed her to speak to other City staff. Gardner posted two videos of her visit to the site. See video 1 & video 2. (WARNING: Graphic language)

Acting City Manager and Economic Development Director Kwame Reed was asked about the City’s efforts. In response he wrote, “The City of Antioch, along with our Contra Costa County partners, conducted an abatement operation that recovered stolen property and more than a dozen vehicles. The operation also allowed us to offer services to community members in a homeless encampment.

The encampment in the Lindsey Detention Basin has continued to grow over the past few months. In that time, officers recovered three stolen vehicles and located a stolen ATM.

On April 3rd, Antioch officers and the Angelo Quinto Community Response Team (“Care Team”) visited the area and met with nearly a dozen people at the encampment. Over the next few days, officers and the Care Team continued to check in and offer services.

During the operation, Code Enforcement, the Care Team, Public Works, and the County’s C.O.R.E. Outreach team worked together to conduct the abatement. 18 vehicles with expired vehicle registrations were towed. Officers located two striped motorcycles and an industrial floor sweeper, all suspected of being stolen.

Through this multi-faceted approach, we were able to clear the area of trash, debris, and abandoned vehicles. We want to thank our community partners for their support in this effort.”

Questions were sent Tuesday evening to Reed, Department of Public Safety and Community Resources Director Tasha Johnson and Jazmin Ridley, the City’s Unhoused Resident Coordinator.

They were asked:

1. Since the 18 vehicles were towed, where are the homeless residents expected to live until they can pay the registration, towing and storage fees to recover them? Won’t they end up on city streets living in tents instead?
2. Also, couldn’t the City provide at least the vehicle registration fees from some of the funds in the budget for unhoused residents, as one way to help them stay off the street?
3. While the land in the Lindsey Detention Basin is privately owned, it appears some of the homeless residents living in RV’s relocated from Wilbur Avenue following the abatement there on March 22, isn’t the result of the City’s actions simply moving them from place to place, since the City has no place for them to locate?
4. What is the City doing to provide for a location for homeless residents – as was previously proposed on city-owned property such as the lot on Fitzuren Road when the City had the five state-donated trailers – to live in their RV’s while working with the county’s CORE team to help them move into permanent housing?
5. Or is the City merely hoping they will relocate out of Antioch?
6. Finally, what services did Antioch’s Care Team and the county’s CORE Team provide to the residents?

Attempts to reach Gardner for additional comment were unsuccessful prior to publication time.

Please check back later for any responses to this report.

Held on $1.35 million bail, has history of arrests

36-year-old victim identified as Frank James

By Acting Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau

Antioch Police Department detectives have worked diligently on this homicide investigation. Hi-tech tools and City cameras were instrumental in identifying 29-year-old Jacob Lamaar Crooks (born 5//24/94) as the suspect in the homicide that occurred on March 27, 2024. Antioch detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Crooks which was shared with neighboring law enforcement agencies.

On Monday, April 8th, the Walnut Creek Police Department contacted Crooks during a traffic enforcement stop where he was taken into custody. Crooks was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for the murder of 36-year-old Frank James. This case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review.

As previously reported, on Thursday, March 27, 2024, at approximately 5:22 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the 600 block of E.18th Street, near the Dairy Queen, at the request of Con Fire for a male who was found deceased with an apparent gunshot wound. (See video of police at scene)

When officers arrived, they located a 36-year-old male deceased inside a parked vehicle suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation.

According to Detective Becerra the crime scene included the area on the street in front of Opportunity Village (homeless hotel) and the Golden Hills Community Outreach Center where multiple bullet casings were located. The victim walked to the Dairy Queen.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot tall, 200-pound Crooks is listed as non-Hispanic and being held on $1.35 million bail. However, the Vinelink website lists him as Black.

According to localcrimenews.com, Crooks has a history of arrests, is currently from Antioch and was also arrested by Antioch Police last November for assault with a semiautomatic firearm and attempted willful, deliberate or premeditated murder. He was arrested twice in 2021, first by San Pablo Police while a resident of that city, for similar charges and then by Antioch PD for gun and drug charges, including possession of an assault weapon. In January 2023, Antioch PD arrested Crooks again on other gun charges and revocation of probation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Leshia Marie West, Head Coach

It was a double victory for the Park Middle School Spartan Cheer Team this weekend. The girls achieved their first victory by winning 1st Place at the 2024 JAMZ Cheer & Dance NorCal Challenge Cup Championship in the Middle School Level 2 Division. This competition took place in Stockton, CA.

The second victory was via Virtual Submission to the Full Out Combat Cheerleading Competition which took place in Missoula, Montana. The Spartan Cheerleading Team won 1st Place in the Middle School Division for the Northwest Region.

The victories follow last month’s first place at the Rockstar-Justice League National Cheer and Dance Competition, last month. (See related article)

What an amazing weekend for our Spartan Cheerleaders! We are proud of YOU!

We have had an incredible competition season, bringing three Cheer Championship wins back to Park Middle School this year. We are so proud of all the time, energy, hard work and dedication our girls have put into making this team amazing.

If you know any local businesses that love supporting our schools and the youth in our community, please reach out to us. Go Spartans!

By Antioch Animal Services

#Vaccinate & #Microchip. A huge thanks to Joybound People & Pets (formerly ARF) for providing another free vaccination clinic at our shelter on Saturday April 13th, starting at 9am!

Vaccinations, microchips and food will be available for dogs & cats. Information will be on hand for spay/neuter resources and more.

Please refer to the flyer or click the link for detailed information.

It is first come, first served and open to all Contra Costa County residents.

Our last event was a huge success and people arrived as early as 7am to get a position in line. We can provide limited seating, but please be prepared for a wait following sign in. (Your pets do not have to wait with you for sign up.)

#LoveIsAtTheCornerOf2ndAndL, #CommunityComingTogether #OurVillage #GottaKeepEmVaccinated, #ItsHipToChip

The laughs aren’t worth the risk. Put the phone down and just drive

By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. Cell phone use — specifically, texting, talking, and social media use — has become the most common distraction. Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

Drive Responsibly

In 2021, distracted driving killed 3,522 people.  April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to regroup and take responsibility for the choices we make when we’re on the road. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride: 

• Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.
• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not scroll through apps while driving. Struggling not to text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

The Consequences

During a portion of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, from April 4 through 8, you may see increased law enforcement on the roadways as part of the national paid media campaign Put the Phone Away or Pay. This campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences – including fines – of texting behind the wheel.

Take Action

• Remind your friends and family: If you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s the only thing you should be doing. No distractions. 
• If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road.
• Ask your friends to join you in pledging not to drive distracted. You could save a life. Share your pledge on social media to spread the word — #JustDrive.