By Sergeant Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at approximately 7:32 pm, Antioch Police Officers and Emergency Personnel were dispatched to the 2600 block of Somersville Road on a report of a vehicle collision involving a vehicle vs. a pedestrian. Upon arrival, Antioch Police Officers located a 3-year-old female juvenile in the parking lot of Sears non-responsive. Life saving measures were started until relieved by medical and fire personnel. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

Antioch Police Traffic Investigators responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext. 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Traffic Division.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441 or Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext. 84265. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at 2:13 AM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 2300 block of Lemontree Way for a shooting that just occurred. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 26-year-old male victim from Oakland suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment where he was listed in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The responsibles, described as two Hispanic males, had fled the area prior to police arrival. Officers are currently working to identify them.

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

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.

Screenshot from a KTVU Fox 2 News report of Debra Bozeman and her granddaughter.

Police seek suspect

By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at approximately 2:56 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a call about a person and wheelchair in the middle of the road in the 3600 block of Lone Tree Way at Davison Drive. Officers arrived on scene and located the subject, a 65-year-old resident of Discovery Bay, unresponsive and suffering from major injuries. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she remains in critical condition.

It was determined that the victim was crossing the roadway in her wheelchair when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The responsible vehicle fled the scene and has not been located.

The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Officers are currently following up on evidence left at the scene and potential surveillance footage of the collision.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Traffic Unit.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, the woman has been identified as Debra Bozeman and is in the intensive care unit of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Her family is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

In order to give the gift of a permanent home to the shelter animals, Antioch Friends of Animal Services will be sponsoring the adoption fees of all cats and dogs in its “Home for the Holidays” promotion to alleviate overcrowding at Antioch Animal Services.

Starting Saturday, December 1st, people can adopt a pet at no charge, which represents a savings of $76 for cats and $96 for dogs — fees the shelter normally charges to cover the cost of spaying, neutering and vaccinating animals before they go home with their new owner.

The promotion runs through Dec 31st.

Adoptive families who are residents of Antioch must purchase a dog license, which costs $20 annually at the time of adoption. Antioch Animal Services gives a discount to seniors purchasing a license for their pets.

The shelter is located at 300 L St (adjacent to Antioch Police Department). Hours of Operation are T, W, TH & SAT 10am to 5pm and FRI 10am to 2pm. Available animals can be viewed online at: antioch.petfinder.com.

Dear Editor:

After attending a few board meetings, it has become more apparent that the parents who want charter schools simply want options for their students to learn. Unfortunately, some people may not realize that when you change something it takes time because there is no instant switch that automatically changes something.

The people in favor of charter schools don’t take the time to realize what the public schools have to offer. Plus, the reason so many charter schools probably fail is because they don’t take time to put together these programs like the public schools do.

While attending these meetings, I have noticed that these people who are in favor of the charter schools attend the meetings to get their public comment out there. While this is all fine and dandy, it did not seem to me that many of them stayed long enough to hear the options that AUSD is trying to put in place. Also, these options take time because, remember there is no instant switch to make these options happen. Just like with the academies at the high school level, they did not just roll out overnight. These academies took time to roll out at the high school level, like years to become the greatness that they are. Now, because of the successful implementation of these options, oh, I meant academies, there is starting to be more options at the middle school level for students to take classes that give them options to learn.

I know a lot of parents want their students to learn how to code or learn other skills, but those programs take time to develop and these programs also take time to implement. Also, what parents may not realize is that there is this thing called expanded learning and during LCAP meetings (which all parents who want to know what’s going on should be involved in) there was a large discussion on what should we offer our AUSD students for expanded learning. Coding, engineering related skills, and other computer skills were mentioned; but what was not mentioned was anything about charter schools. Parents that want to give their students a different learning opportunity should get involved in PTSA or LCAP, which help and support all students and takes in ideas on how to improve learning and the betterment of all students.

Also, after being lied to once and then your director not knowing what he was talking about I would be skeptical about wanting to send my child to this school.

Deanna Rundall

Antioch

Photos of Lawrence Phipps’ arrest and clothes by provided APD. Photo on right from Phipps’ Facebook page dated Aug. 4, 2012.

Photo of the suspect spray painting a vehicle in downtown Antioch. From APD Facebook page.

From APD Facebook page

We are pleased to report that the person responsible for the extensive vandalism to our downtown community has been arrested. This morning, officers responded to tips from several community members identifying Lawrence Phipps, 24 years out of Antioch.

A search of his residence revealed evidence connecting him to this crime. This is an excellent example of what can happen when the police and the community come together to work as a team. As a community, we refuse to stand for this type of criminal behavior.

In a press release on Tuesday, by Corporal Steve Aiello of the APD Field Services Bureau, he wrote,

“On Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 at approximately 9:21 a.m. officers followed up on tips from the community regarding the suspect in the vandalism to the downtown area. The tips led to the arrest of 24 year-old Lawrence Phipps of Antioch. A search of his residence revealed evidence connecting Phipps to the crime. Phipps was later transported to the county jail in Martinez on felony charges.

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

On Phipps’ Facebook page, which hasn’t been posted on since Aug. 5, 2012, he refers to himself as L-gunna and states that he is from Pittsburg, lives in Antioch and is divorced.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.