Say so-long to summer at the Antioch Water Park “Fall Family Frolic” on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  It is a FREE night of family swim and The City of Antioch invites all residents to enjoy Friday night having fun and spending quality time with family and friends at the Water Park. The park will be open from 5pm-7pm on September 7th, offering free admission to everyone.

The Antioch Water Park offers a unique family experience and creates life-long memories. Gather the kids and round up your neighbors for that final summer swim party. There are five slides and five pools including a sport pool with obstacle course, a spray park for young children, picnic areas, shade trees, table tennis, and more!

To learn more about the Antioch Water Park please call 925-776-3070 or visit the City’s website at https://www.antiochca.gov/water-park/

Rider safety will be the focus as the BART Board of Directors holds its Thursday, September 27th meeting at 5:00 P.M. at Pittsburg City Hall. The BART board voted in August to hold a special night meeting in a suburban location to further discuss General Manager Grace Crunican’s Safety and Security Action Plan.

“The special time and location of this board meeting will give more members of the public the chance to share their thoughts about public safety directly with board members,” said BART Board President Robert Raburn. “We need their input as we take action to make BART safer.”

The meeting will include an update on BART’s proof-of-payment strategy. There will be a presentation with citation data as well as a hearing on a request to hire more community service officers to expand the program, which was launched in January. Further, the board will get an update on station infrastructure efforts to deter fare evasion. That is likely to include a discussion on whether to replace BART’s fare gates.

BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas is scheduled to present a new report from the University of North Texas on the BART Police Department. The report includes recommendations for adequate police staffing levels at BART.

The board is moving towards adopting a district surveillance policy. A final vote on this policy could come at this meeting depending on actions that take place at the September 13th meeting. BART has already made clear that any boosts to system safety will not include the implementation of facial-recognition technology.

The board could also vote on a plan to provide alternative bus service for when the system moves to a 5am start time as part of the Transbay Tube seismic retrofit project. The switch to the 5am service start is expected to happen on February 11, 2019.

We also anticipate an update on efforts to increase parking around the new BART to Antioch line.

The meeting is open to the public. The public may comment at various points throughout the meeting- including the public comment period or during specific agenda items. The agenda will be posted the Friday before the meeting at https://www.bart.gov/about/bod/meetings/2018

Because this meeting is not taking place in the BART board room, we will record it and post it on our website several days later due to the post production time needed. It will not be livestreamed.

The meeting will be held in the Pittsburg City Council Chambers, which is on the third floor of the building. The council chambers are located at 65 Civic Avenue, which is a short walk from the Pittsburg Center Station on the new BART to Antioch line. Courtesy of Tri-Delta Transit, there will be a shuttle available in the pick-up lot at the corner of Railroad Avenue and California Avenue to transport attendees between the BART station and the City Council Chambers. The shuttle will run from 4:15 pm to 11:15 pm. There will be directional signs at the Pittsburg Center BART station and the shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations. See map below:

Pittsburg City Hall shuttle route

Driving Directions:

From all points west:

Take Highway 4 eastbound toward Pittsburg/Stockton

Exit Railroad Avenue (exit 23)

Turn left onto Railroad Avenue

Turn left onto Center Drive, drive past the Justice Center and the Library

There is a parking lot in front of City Hall

Parking is free.

From Antioch/Oakley/Brentwood:

Take Highway 4 westbound toward Martinez

Exit Harbor St/Railroad Avenue (exit 23)

Turn left onto California Avenue

Turn right onto Railroad Avenue

Turn left onto Center Drive, drive past the Justice Center and the Library

There is a parking lot in front of City Hall

Parking is free.

Editor’s Note: We need to pack the room and make sure our voices are heard, by letting the full BART Board know about our concerns with safety, so that they don’t just hear from the folks who live close to and/or were able to attend their day-time meeting during the summer at the BART Headquarters in Oakland.

Editor:

As the Antioch Police Chief for six years, I worked often with Mary Rocha, then City Councilwoman.

I saw her work tirelessly for our City. She was experienced, but not jaded; extremely knowledgeable, but a team member; and she was caring – never “calling it in.” Most importantly, Mary is not beholding to special interest groups and will base her votes on what is best for the children, families and staff rather than on a personal agenda.

These are the exact qualities the Antioch Unified School District Board of Education needs right now. With three of the five trustees foolishly pushing through for-profit charters, which will result in massive layoffs and program reductions, this is the time for proven leadership. Additionally, with some current Board Members frequently showing displays of unprofessionalism from the dais and in the community, Mary’s sensibility and experience is much needed. Our school staff, teachers and, especially, our students need her clarity, heart, and integrity. (Editor’s Note: All the charter schools in and approved for Antioch are non-profit, public charter schools.)

Anyone who knows or has met Mary knows she has spent decades supporting the youth and families in our communities. This election is critical, and we need a proven champion for children like Mary to help lead the AUSD.

As the father of an eight-year-old, I know the importance of strong leadership in schools – and, it must begin at the top with the Board of Education.

Some of my favorite duties as Chief of Police were to visit Antioch schools, sit down with the students, talk with teachers, and engage with staff who represent the “boots on the ground.” AUSD is filled with incredibly talented students, supportive families, and a dedicated hard-working staff. All of these constituents deserve knowledgeable people making wise decisions that affect the AUSD.

I have so much respect for Mary and her commitment to our community. We need a leader with experience, proven integrity, and a heart for children and this community. Mary Rocha cares because she understands that our schools matter.

Thank you,

Allan Cantando

Benefit for Police Activities League

Please join us as the Pittsburg Diamonds take on the Martinez Clippers on August 28th, and as an added bonus the Antioch Police Department takes on the Pittsburg Police Department in a Home Run Derby with the Diamonds donating a portion of ticket sales to the winner’s PAL (Police Activities League) program.

Antioch Police Chief Brooks and Pittsburg Police Chief Addington will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Come on down for a great time, and a good cause.

The competition will take place at Winter Chevrolet Stadium, Civic at Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. For tickets, visit Facebook or Eventbrite.

 

From Antioch Police Facebook page

Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2018 Antioch Police Officers Ramirez and Amiri were patrolling an area of San Jose Drive, when they made contact with three suspected gang members in a vehicle. During the course of their investigation, the pictured firearm was located inside of the vehicle, and it was found to have been reported stolen. All three subjects were arrested on various weapons charges and later transported to the county jail.

Runners and volunteers are needed to participate in the 7th Annual Delta Harvest Run in Brentwood on Sunday, Sept. 9.  100% of the net proceeds goes to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates.  Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay.  It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception.  In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County. 

The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in down town Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2^nd Streets.  The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail.  The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company.  All participants will receive a finishers metal, a t-shirt, a goodie bag and snacks at the finish line.   

The half marathon begins at 7:00 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time.  The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race.   

For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at http://www.deltaharvestrun.com/.  You can also call the co-race director Patti Shaner at (925) 584-1614. 

Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December.  Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application.  The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community. 

By Sergeant Matthew Harger #3305, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 4:50 pm, Antioch Police Officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 4900 block of Star Mine Court. Officers arrived on scene and determined a 49-year-old male had assaulted and threatened a family member then barricaded himself inside the home refusing to come out. It was learned the male was possibly under the influence of a controlled substance, armed with a gun, and wanted to commit ‘suicide by cop’.

An Antioch Police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer was on scene and after negotiating with the male for nearly two-and-a-half hours, was able to convince the male to peacefully surrender. The male came out of the house unarmed and was arrested without incident.

Residents in the area were asked to shelter in place until the incident had concluded.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident and can provided any additional information or anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.