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).

As of Thursday, Feb. 4:

• Sutter patients 65 and older can now schedule COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Vaccination for Sutter patients 65 and older is now underway at locations throughout the health system’s Northern California footprint.
• Sutter has worked quickly to expand COVID-19 vaccination rollout, including scaling up large-scale vaccination clinics across Northern California. Several are already operational.
• Sutter shares in the excitement and hope that comes with the COVID-19 vaccine and is proud to be doing its part to help end this pandemic.

“We are rolling up our sleeves so more patients can roll up theirs. At this time, we are prioritizing our patients who are 65-plus years of age and community healthcare workers. These populations are at greatest risk, according to CDC guidance,” said Sutter Health Spokesperson Monique Binkley Smith. “By expanding capacity, we can continue deploying as much vaccine as possible to eligible patients, as supply allows. As vaccine supply expands, we will broaden eligibility and notify our patients.”

How Sutter Patients 65 and Older Can Schedule Their COVID-19 Vaccination:

Eligible Sutter patients can self-schedule through Sutter’s online patient portal, called My Health Online, or through a dedicated hotline: (844) 987-6115.

• Sutter’s call center is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Patients should allow for longer than normal wait times due to higher call volume. Not everyone who is eligible will be able to make an appointment right away. 
• Call center representatives can help eligible Sutter patientsbook appointments for their first doses. Note: Second dose appointments are scheduled at the time of the first vaccination.
• Sutter patients should not contact their provider’s office to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations— they’re not able to book appointments or provide scheduling exceptions.

For more info on how Sutter patients can schedule their COVID-19 vaccination, go to https://www.sutterhealth.org/for-patients/health-alerts/covid-19-vaccine.

Additional Resources:

Visit Sutter’s Resources for Journalists page for video and stills of patients being vaccinated.

Visit Sutter’s news source ‘Vitals’ for timely and topical COVID stories.

• Seniors Line Up for Vaccine, Still Have ‘Good Living to Do’
• Faces of Vaccination: Stories of Motivation, Inspiration
• What You Need to Know About COVID Vaccine Cards
• How Electronic ICU Helps Save Lives as Patient Surge Continues

Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

Yesterday, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at about 12:10 pm, APD Dispatch got a call reporting a shoplifter at a store on Somersville Road. The shoplifter pulled out a knife on an employee that tried to stop him near the store exit. The employee provided an EXCELLENT description of his getaway vehicle, which was relayed to officers immediately over the radio. Officer Milner was in the area and saw a matching vehicle traveling northbound on Somersville. APD dayshift officers raced to the scene and were able to stop the vehicle at Auto Center and Sycamore Drives. The driver was safely detained, the employee was brought to the scene, and a positive identification was made. A large knife was recovered from his vehicle which the employee also identified as the same one used against her. Officers obtained video surveillance and there was no doubt they had their man.

A misdemeanor shoplifting incident was escalated to a felony robbery because a knife was used to threaten a store employee. He was fitted with a pair of chrome bracelets and given an express ride to the County Jail (so he could tell others that crime doesn’t pay in Antioch).

What can you do if you witness a crime such as this? First – and foremost – NEVER put yourself in danger. Call 9-1-1 if it’s safe to do so and be prepared to give a description of the suspect and vehicle (if applicable). Try to remember a distinctive article of clothing or something that stands out about their appearance. If you can remember all or part of the license plate, we can do a lot to find vehicles through computer searches and investigation. Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe and kudos to the observant retail employee, who had the presence of mind to do all these things, and help us catch the bad guy!

#antiochpdca #crimedoesntpay

Photos: APD

By Antioch Police Department

With issues arising in the Sycamore area, our Problem-Oriented Policing Unit took a directed approach to solve some of the ongoing problems. Today’s results ended with several arrests for marijuana sales, two vehicles towed, and an arrest for possession of an unregistered firearm.

The POP team would love to hear from you in ways they can help with crime in your area. You can email them at popteam@antiochca.gov or send an anonymous text tip to 274637 and use the keyword ANTIOCH.

By Denise Rundall

I am asking businesses in Antioch to support the Class of 2021. All I am asking is if you can support our senior class of 2021 by putting up the school colors on the third Friday of each month until graduation week. If you decorate your business in the school colors and let me know I will add your business name and a picture (if I get one) on the Adopt a 2021 Senior Antioch High Facebook. I will also provide the picture and business name to the other schools to see if they can add your picture/name to their Facebook page.

Participating businesses will also be featured on a special page on the Antioch Herald website: Color Our Town 2021 | Antioch Herald

Just by supporting our Antioch senior class(es) of 2021 your business will get free advertising!

Here is a list of the dates and school colors for decorating.

Decorate on:

Friday, February 19

Friday, March 19

Friday, April 16

Friday, May 21

Graduation week is Monday, June 14 through Friday June 18, 2021

Schools, Colors and Mascots

Antioch High School – Black and Gold, mascot is Panther

Bidwell High School – Purple, White, and Black, mascot is Bulldogs

Deer Valley High School – Teal and Black, mascot is Wolverines

Dozier-Libbey Medical High School – Light Blue, Yellow, and Lime Green, mascot is Diamond Backs

Live Oak High School – Maroon and Silver, mascot is Pegasus

Prospects High School – Teal and White, mascot is Hawks

Cornerstone Christian School – Navy Blue and Yellow, mascot is the Cougars

P.S. If you are planning on doing anything special for the seniors let me know so we can advertise it to the students! Let’s help make our Antioch Seniors’ year special!

Rundall is a parent of a 2021 High School Senior in Antioch. She can be reached at (925) 305-9993 or drundall6@gmail.com.