First-of-its-kind measure to help build and preserve more than 70,000 homes

Contra Costa County would receive $1.9 billion

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications & Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, adopted a resolution to place a general obligation bond measure on the November 5 general election ballot in each of the nine Bay Area counties to raise and distribute $20 billion for the production of new affordable housing and the preservation of existing affordable housing throughout the region. BAHFA is jointly governed by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)’s Executive Board and by the BAHFA Board, which is comprised of the same membership as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). 

The bond could create 72,000 new affordable homes – more than double what would be possible without a bond. Without more funding, only about 71,000 affordable homes will be built or preserved in the Bay Area over the next 15 years – a status quo that is failing to meet the needs of the people who live and work here.

Currently, the Bay Area doesn’t have enough homes for the people who live here. As a result of the region’s housing shortage: 

• In 2022, 37,000 people were unhoused in the Bay Area. 
• 1.4 million people—23% of Bay Area renters—spend over half their income on rent. 
• High rents and home prices force people to live far from work, making congestion and pollution much worse, and putting a major strain on working families.
• Too many Bay Area residents live in overcrowded and unsafe housing.
• Vital employees and community members are leaving the area.

Wednesday’s unanimous vote by the BAHFA Board marks the final discretionary step in the process to place the measure on the November ballot. Under state law, each Bay Area county will now take a non-discretionary, ministerial vote to place the measure on the ballot in that county, in accordance with election deadlines. 

The BAHFA bond measure currently would require approval by at least two-thirds of voters to pass. Voters throughout California this November will consider Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (ACA 1) — which would set the voter threshold at 55 percent for voter approval of bond measures for affordable housing and infrastructure. If a majority of California voters support ACA 1, the 55 percent threshold will apply to the BAHFA bond measure.

“Today’s vote is the culmination of so many years of effort by so many people all around our region,” observed BAHFA Chair and Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza. “The Bay Area’s longstanding housing affordability problems affect all of us, our friends, our neighbors and our family members. This vote is about preserving opportunity for everyone.” 

The proposed BAHFA bond measure calls for 80 percent of the funds to go directly to the nine Bay Area counties (and to the cities of San Jose, Oakland, Santa Rosa and Napa, each of which carries more than 30 percent of their county’s low-income housing need), in proportion to each county’s tax contribution to the bond. In consultation with its cities and towns, each county would determine how to distribute bond funds to best meet its jurisdictions’ most pressing housing needs. These distributions would include:

• Contra Costa County: $1.9 billion
• Alameda County: $2 billion
• Marin County: $699 million
• Napa County: $118 million
• San Francisco County: $2.4 billion
• San Mateo County: $2.1 billion
• Santa Clara County: $2.4 billion
• Solano County: $489 million
• Sonoma County: $553 million
• City of Napa: $246 million
• City of Oakland: $765 million
• City of San Jose: $2.1 billion
• City of Santa Rosa: $242 million

The remaining 20 percent, or $4 billion, would be used by BAHFA to establish a new regional program to fund affordable housing construction and preservation projects throughout the Bay Area. Most of this money (at least 52 percent) must be spent on new construction of affordable homes, but every city and county receiving a bond allocation must also spend at least 15 percent of the funds to preserve existing affordable housing. Almost one-third of funds may be used for the production or preservation of affordable housing, or for housing-related uses such as infrastructure needed to support new housing. 

The California Constitution currently does not allow bond funds to be used for tenant protections such as rental assistance, but planned investments in new housing and affordable housing preservation will protect tens of thousands of low-income renters and vulnerable residents. 

The BAHFA Board also adopted, on Wednesday, resolutions approving the Authority’s Business Plan and its Regional Expenditure Plan, which explain the prioritization for use of the funds that would be directly administered by BAHFA. 

Oversight and accountability provisions to be included in the BAHFA bond measure include the creation of a special bond proceeds account; establishment of a Citizens’ Oversight Committee that would review the expenditure of bond proceeds and report to the BAHFA and ABAG Executive Boards on whether the funds were spent appropriately; an independent annual performance audit; a requirement that all bond-projects be consistent with state laws on labor standards; a requirement that administrative costs not exceed the amount prescribed in state law; and a prohibition against any public official who voted to send the ballot measure to the voters bidding on any work funded with proceeds from the bond. 

The ABAG Executive Board voted unanimously at its April meeting to adopt a resolution approving BAHFA’s Business Plan and its Expenditure Plan, as well as to endorse placement of the bond measure on the November ballot. In her remarks preceding the vote, ABAG President and Napa County Supervisor Belia Ramos noted, “This is a remarkable milestone moment for our region. Housing stability is essential for our community to thrive, and this proposal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Read the Bond Report and learn more about the bond measure, here and here.

By Neil Sterud

The Spring 2024 semester at California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) has been marked by regular sessions inviting all interested parties to propose ideas for institutional improvement and cost-saving measures. Students have been kept well-informed about the institution’s state through regular emails, fostering a sense of community and transparency.

In a significant development, the Chancellor’s Office has recommended the integration of Cal Maritime with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO). This proposal, if approved by the CSU Board of Trustees, aims to address Cal Maritime’s financial and enrollment challenges. Interim President Michael J. Dumont, J.D., shared the news with the Cal Maritime community, highlighting the potential benefits of this integration for advancing the educational mission of both institutions, increasing enrollment, and safeguarding critical academic programs.

The proposed integration is seen as a strategic response to the fiscal crisis and declining enrollment, which Cal Maritime has been grappling with. Over the past seven years, enrollment has decreased by 31%, from 1,107 students in 2016 to just over 750 in 2023. The financial instability has reached a point where further budget reductions risk compromising Cal Maritime’s unique educational mission. President Dumont noted, “Our ability to obtain additional permanent funding in an amount sufficient to make a marked impact is impossible given the current budget environment.”.

Despite the challenges, the integration with Cal Poly SLO is viewed as a promising opportunity. Cal Poly SLO, with its renowned engineering programs and dynamic enrollment management capabilities, was chosen due to its programmatic similarities with Cal Maritime. The integration is expected to enhance the core educational missions of both institutions, providing greater stability and creating more opportunities for students. It will also allow for increased research opportunities and the potential to compete for greater federal funding in areas such as national security and renewable energy.

However, it is important to acknowledge that most mergers fail to achieve their objectives. The success of this integration will depend on careful planning and execution, along with the active involvement and support of all stakeholders. As President Dumont emphasized, “The integration will allow both institutions to fully leverage our mutual strengths and build upon similarities, including a shared foundation in applied learning.”

The CSU Board of Trustees will consider the proposed integration at their meetings in July and September, with a final vote expected in November 2024. If approved, the integration would begin in July 2025, with the first maritime academy students enrolling as Cal Poly SLO students in fall 2026.

Despite these financial difficulties, Cal Maritime consistently ranks as a top university for return on investment and high-paying jobs. As the institution approaches this critical juncture, the community’s involvement and input will be essential in shaping a sustainable and successful future. The regular sessions held during the spring semester have set the stage for an inclusive and collaborative process, ensuring that the voices of students, faculty, staff, and alumni are heard and considered in this transformative journey.

Assemblywoman Wilson Supportive of Merger

On June 6, Assemblywoman Lori Wilson who represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes Vallejo, released the following statement regarding the CSU Chancellor’s proposal to integrate Cal Maritime in Vallejo with Cal Poly SLO:

“The recent news of California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) integrating into California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is a significant development for our community. My office will be closely monitoring the details of this proposal and will remain actively engaged. We encourage the community and stakeholders to vet this proposal as well. My primary concerns are ensuring that administrators, faculty, and students are well taken care of and preserving Cal Maritime as a beacon of excellence in our community.

While this proposed transition on the surface may not be ideal, it may be necessary to prevent Cal Maritime’s closure, which would be a huge loss for our community. I am optimistic that changing the university’s administrative structure and integrating it with a renowned CSU campus will allow Cal Maritime to thrive well into the future. We, as a community, must remain vigilant to ensure this process of integration is transparent and meets the needs of our community.”

Neil Sterud is an Antioch resident and a senior at Cal Maritime.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Stole almost $10,000 worth of clothing; multi-agency effort

Jesus Santiago Olivarez arrested 20 other times since 2018

By San Mateo Police Department

San Mateo, CA – On June 20, 2024, at 1:56 p.m., San Mateo Police Department received a report of a theft that just occurred at Lululemon, located at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. The witness said three suspects grabbed numerous clothing, ran out of the store and into a waiting white Subaru Outback. The white car then quickly drove off toward Highway 101.

San Mateo Police officers responded to Lululemon to gather more information about the theft and learned the suspects stole almost $10,000 worth of clothing. At the same time the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, consisting of officers from the San Mateo, Daly City, and San Bruno Police Departments, started to search for the white Subaru that fled the scene of the crime. The task force found the car driving northbound on Highway 101 and followed the car into San Francisco. Officers attempted to stop the car, however the driver fled from police, driving in a reckless manner with disregard to the safety of other drivers and pedestrians in the area. Due to the dangerous and reckless manner the suspects were evading police, the pursuit of the suspects was stopped for the safety of the community.

With the help of San Francisco Police Department, the white Subaru was found abandoned a few blocks away. A short time later, all four suspects that were inside the vehicle were found. Stolen merchandise was found inside the car and with the suspects. Officers learned the white Subaru was reported stolen earlier in the day. The suspects, Jesus Olivarez, Campy Massutti, Sierra Mansanares, and Theodore Gore, were all arrested and later booked into San Mateo County Jail on various felony charges.

We need the community’s support in reporting crimes and being a good witness. If you witness a crime, contact police immediately. Try to remain as calm as possible and do your best to answer questions on the phone. Remember details such as the suspect’s appearance, clothing, any distinguishing features, and which direction they flee. Once the police arrive at the scene, cooperate fully, and provide the officers with all the information you have. Your observations can greatly assist law enforcement in their investigation.

ARRESTED: Jesus Santiago Olivarez, 31-year-old Antioch resident.

CHARGES: 490.4(a)(1) PC- Organized retail theft, 487(a) PC- Grand theft, 460(b) PC- Second degree burglary.

ARRESTED: Theodore Gore, 30-year-old San Francisco resident.

CHARGES: 2800.4 CVC- Evading a peace officer, 2800.2(a) CVC- Evading a peace officer with wanton disregard to public safety, 490.4(a)(1) PC- Organized retail theft, 496d(a) PC- Possess stolen vehicle, 10851(a) CVC- Take vehicle without owner’s consent, 487(a) PC- Grand theft, 460(b) PC- Second degree burglary.

ARRESTED: Sierra Mansanares, 27-year-old San Francisco resident.

CHARGES: 490.4(a)(1) PC- Organized retail theft, 487(a) PC- Grand theft, 460(b) PC- Second degree burglary, 11377(a) HS- Possession of a controlled substance.

ARRESTED: Camy Massutti, 32-year-old San Francisco resident.

CHARGES: 490.4(a)(1) PC- Organized retail theft, 487(a) PC- Grand theft, 460(b) PC- Second degree burglary, 11350(a) HS- Possession of a controlled substance.

According to localcrimenews.com, Olivarez has a history of 21 arrests dating back to 2018, including two other times this year in March and just last month, by agencies including Antioch PD, Pleasant Hill PD, Colma PD, Mountain View PD, San Mateo PD, Santa Clara PD, and Sheriff’s Departments in Riverside, Contra Costa, and San Mateo counties, on gun and drug charges, and for shoplifting, grand theft, petty theft, vehicle theft and receiving Stolen property – motor vehicle, battery on a peace officer or emergency personnel and falsely personating another in his or her private or official capacity.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Proposed $20 billion regional November bond measure seen as way to close the gap

By Kate Hartley, BAHFA & Justine Marcus, Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) and the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) released the Bay Area Affordable Housing Pipeline 2024 Report, last month, which analyzes affordable housing projects in various stages of predevelopment and identifies solutions for moving them toward completion. The updated research reveals there are now 433 projects in various stages of predevelopment that would create more than 40,896 affordable homes across the nine-county Bay Area. These would account for nearly a quarter of the 180,000 affordable homes the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Plan determined are needed in the Bay Area by 2031. (See related articles here and here)

Affordable housing developments typically are supported by a capital “stack” investment that includes a commercial mortgage; Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; tax-exempt bonds; and additional local, regional and state dollars that fill the gap between the cost of the development and the financing secured through debt and equity. The new report calculates that the hundreds of Bay Area projects now in the predevelopment pipeline need $9.7 billion in public funds to move forward, and that a $20 billion regional bond measure proposed for the ballot in Bay Area counties this fall would help close this gap.

“We’ve been stuck in an affordable housing crisis that has overwhelmed the region. The November ballot presents an opportunity to unlock thousands of affordable homes for Bay Area residents,” said Heather Hood, VP and Northern California Market Leader at Enterprise. “We expect voters to have a chance to end our housing crisis and deliver the dignified, healthy homes the Bay Area community needs and deserves.”

The predevelopment pipeline includes projects in all nine Bay Area counties. These include more than 10,000 units in both Alameda and Santa Clara counties, with another 8,400 affordable homes pending development in San Francisco and more than 3,000 units in both San Mateo and Sonoma counties. Project pipelines in other Bay Area counties range from over 300 affordable homes in Solano County to 1,173 units in Marin County; nearly 1,500 homes in Napa County; and over 2,500 units in Contra Costa County. Each Bay Area city, town or county currently is working on its own to meet the challenges of housing affordability and homelessness.

“The need for affordable housing transcends jurisdictional boundaries. BAHFA’s proposed bond measure would finally allow our Bay Area to take a regional approach to a regional problem,” said BAHFA Director Kate Hartley. “With significant new resources for every county, we can build at scale, deliver equitable solutions, and create a better way to deliver the affordable homes Bay Area residents need.

The updated Bay Area Housing Pipeline research brief was presented at today’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Bay Area Housing Finance Authority Oversight Committee.

About Enterprise Community Partners 

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $54 billion and created 873,000 homes across all 50 states – all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging.

About the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority

Established by the state legislature in 2019, BAHFA’s mandate is to create regional solutions that meet the Bay Area’s affordable housing needs. It is the first regional housing finance authority in California. BAHFA works together with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).

By Ders Anderson, Open Lands

The American Discovery Trail Society announces its second annual trail challenge! In honor of the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, June 1, the Challenge is an invite to anyone and everyone living near the 6800-mile American Discovery Trail. (See related article)

The goal of the Challenge is meant to be a personal one, a trail challenge that hikers, bicyclists, runners, baby stroller pushers, skaters, and wheel-chair users set for themselves. It could be…adding miles to their personal best so far. It could be…enlisting friends who don’t often exercise. It could be… the first time for a family hike. It could be… a distance hike-bike-or run relay with a group of friends. It could be…a first, really-long-distance hike, whether it’s 20, 50 or 500 miles.

Participants are asked to register at  https://discoverytrail.org/american-discovery-trail-home/trailchallenge/  where ADT trail access and route info, local trail agency contacts, and general trail use guidance will be available

Think…Outdoors…Healthy Exercise…Fresh Air…Inspiration…America’s Beautiful Landscapes…Participating in a national event with thousands of National Trail Day partners.

California Trails

• Briones to Mount Diablo Regional Trail   https://www.ebparks.org/trails/interpark/briones-mt-diablo
• SCA Trail (Golden Gate)  https://www.parksconservancy.org/trails/sca-trail     https://www.nps.gov/places/000/sca-trailhead.htm
• Coast Trail (Point Reyes)  https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-coast-trailhead.htm
• Tahoe Rim Trail      https://tahoerimtrail.org/
• Forest Hill Divide Loop Trail     https://www.visitplacer.com/discover/foresthill-divide-loop-trail/

If you participate in the ADT Challenge, the American Discovery Trail Society will report back to the American Hiking Society on the level of participation in the ADT Challenge. National Trails Day (NTD) is an annual event that has been sponsored by the American Hiking Society (AHS) for the past 31 years. Your experience will be added to this years’ overall NTD national participation. In 2022, over 125,000 people participated in National Trails Day.

About ADT

The American Discovery Trail (ADT) is the nation’s first coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreation trail. The ADT was conceived in 1989 and initially led by the American Hiking Society. In 1996 the ADT Society (ADTS) was created and has been the prime advocate for the completing a continuous trail across the United States. The ADTS considers it the east-west “backbone” of our country’s national trails system, connecting to the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, East Coast Greenway Trail and 50 other national scenic, historic and recreational trails. In the Midwest, two options are possible: either thru Iowa and Nebraska, and northern Illinois and Indiana, or through Missouri and Kansas and southern Illinois and Indiana.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Up to $150,000 rewards offered; may be tied to mail carrier thefts in Antioch, Contra Costa County

By Allen D. Payton

Palo Alto Police Lt. Con Maloney issued the following information on May 14, 2024, announcing the arrests of two suspects for the robberies of two mail carriers:

Police arrested two suspects this weekend after they committed robberies of United States Postal Service mail carriers in Belmont and Palo Alto, and then led officers on a vehicle pursuit in a stolen car before crashing into a tree and fleeing on foot. Police recovered two airsoft pistols and the stolen property.

The incident began around 2:12 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, when our 24-hour dispatch center put out an alert on the police radio about a strong-arm robbery of a mail carrier that had occurred around 1:30 p.m. in Belmont. The Belmont Police Department described the two suspects and the vehicle they were driving (a black 2013 Infiniti G37 two-door, bearing a stolen license plate that belonged on a Ford).

At about 2:18 p.m., our 24-hour dispatch center received a call from a witness reporting they had just seen two males loitering in the 800 block of Ilima Court. When the males spotted the witness, they quickly walked away and entered a black Infiniti sedan parked on Laguna Avenue. The witness continued to watch them and saw them exit the Infiniti and walk back towards Ilima Court. The witness’ description of the males and their car closely matched the alert from Belmont. Officers began responding to the area to investigate.

A few minutes later, other witnesses called police to report that a mail carrier had just been robbed at gunpoint in the 800 block of Ilima Court by two suspects matching the earlier description.

Responding officers located the suspect vehicle driving northbound on El Camino Real from Matadero Avenue. When officers attempted to make a stop, the suspect vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, leading police on a vehicle pursuit that turned westbound onto Hansen Way. The suspect vehicle lost control and crashed into a tree in a private parking lot in the 3100 block of Hansen Way, and both suspects inside then fled on foot. Officers chased the suspects, arresting them both without incident nearby a short time later.

Both suspects sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision. Personnel from the Palo Alto Fire Department treated and released them at the scene. Neither suspect, nor any officers, were injured during the arrests.

The suspect vehicle sustained major damage from the collision and had to be towed from the scene. It turns out the Infiniti itself had been reported stolen from Alameda on May 1, while the license plate on its rear had been reported stolen from Hayward on May 11.

Inside the vehicle, officers located two sets of stolen postal keys that were later confirmed to be the ones stolen from the two mail carrier victims (one from Belmont, one from Palo Alto). Officers also located two realistic-looking replica handguns; one inside the vehicle, and the other on the ground outside the vehicle.

The Palo Alto robbery investigation revealed that the victim, a mail carrier in his sixties, had been approached by both suspects. One suspect pointed a gun at his head while demanding his postal keys. Both suspects grabbed the victim and forcibly took the keys from him. The victim was not physically injured.

The robbery in Belmont occurred around 1:30 p.m. on May 11 in the 700 block of Old County Road. In that case, the mail carrier was a woman in her forties who received minor physical injuries but declined medical treatment at the scene. No weapon was used.

Police booked 19-year-old Trevionne Levar Williams of Sacramento into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse (due to the age of the Palo Alto victim) and committing a felony while out on bail for another felony (all of which are felonies), and also for misdemeanor resisting arrest (for running from the police after the collision). Williams is currently out on bail in Sacramento County for multiple firearms-related violations. Police arrested the second suspect for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and vehicle theft (all of which are felonies), and also for misdemeanor evading police (for leading them on the pursuit); as he is a 17-year-old male, police transported him to the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall. In accordance with our standard release of information procedures, no additional information on that suspect is available since he is under the age of 18. The juvenile was driving the stolen vehicle at the time of the collision.

Palo Alto detectives are working in close collaboration with detectives from the Belmont Police Department, as well as investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service. Palo Alto detectives are also actively investigating to see if these suspects may also be responsible for a strong-arm robbery of a mail carrier that occurred in Palo Alto in December 2023. For details on that incident, see the news release we distributed at the time. That case is unsolved and remains open.

Robberies of mail carriers for postal keys, which are used to access locked Postal Service mailboxes, are becoming increasingly more common (though this is only the second such case in recent memory here in Palo Alto). Thieves then use the keys to assist them in committing mail theft, which in turn facilitates identity theft, fraud and other crimes.

Unauthorized possession of a postal key is a federal crime, a conviction which can land someone in prison for up to ten years. The United States Postal Inspection Service encourages anyone who knows the location of any stolen postal keys or who has information about any robberies of mail carriers to contact their 24-hour hotline at (877) 876-2455. They offer a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any suspects.

According to Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Oakland Team, Palo Alto Police and postal inspectors are investigating another robbery of postal keys from a mail carrier in that city. We are asking residents to report any financial crimes related to theft of U.S. Mail as it may be related to the robbery and assault of postal workers. A reward up to $150,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who robbed or assaulted a postal worker.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 290-lb. Williams was also arrested in Sacramento on May 4, 2024, for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and for the manufacture, import and/or sale of a large-capacity magazine of bullets.

Strong-Arm Robbery of Mail Carrier

Then, on Friday, May 17, 2024, Palo Alto Police Lt. David Lee issued the following about the second incident:

Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery of a United States Postal Service mail carrier that occurred yesterday in the Midtown neighborhood. The two suspects are unknown and at large.

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, at about 11:57 a.m., our 24-hour dispatch center received a call from a Postal Service supervisor stating that one of their mail carriers had been robbed of his postal keys about ten minutes earlier in the parking lot of the Southwood Apartments at 2850 Middlefield Road.

The investigation revealed that the victim, a man in his sixties, had been delivering mail when two men approached him and demanded his postal keys. The victim complied and turned over the keys. The men then demanded his wallet and cell phone, and when the victim refused, a fistfight ensued between all three. The suspects knocked the victim to the ground, and then fled on foot towards the parking garage. A short time later, the victim saw a black vehicle drive out of the garage at a high rate of speed to head southbound on Middlefield Road. The victim called his supervisor to report the incident.

The victim described the suspects as Hispanic males in their twenties, both about 5 feet 8 inches tall with average builds and no facial hair. The victim said they were both wearing black hooded sweatshirts with the hoods up. He said that when the suspects approached him, both had one hand reaching into their waistbands. He never saw either of them with a weapon. The victim described the vehicle he saw driving away as an older model Nissan Altima four-door sedan, with paint that looked old.

The victim sustained minor injuries to his face, rib cage, and knee. He declined medical attention at the scene.

Detectives are working with investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service to conduct follow-up investigation. Palo Alto detectives are also investigating to see if these suspects may also be responsible for a strong-arm robbery of a mail carrier that occurred in Palo Alto in December 2023. For details on that incident, see the news release we distributed at the time. That case is unsolved and remains open. Detectives do not know if there is any connection between yesterday’s case and the arrests made of two individuals over the weekend for mail carrier robberies.

Robberies of mail carriers for postal keys, which are used to access locked Postal Service mailboxes, are becoming increasingly more common. Thieves then use the keys to assist them in committing mail theft, which in turn facilitates identity theft, fraud, and other crimes. Please report any financial crimes connected to the U.S. Mail to postal inspectors, even if the loss was minimal or covered by another institution.

Unauthorized possession of a postal key is a federal crime, a conviction which can land someone in prison for up to ten years. The United States Postal Inspection Service encourages anyone who knows the location of any stolen postal keys or who has information about any robberies of mail carriers to contact their 24-hour hotline at (877) 876-2455. They offer a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any suspects.

In light of these robberies, police are asking that the public keep a watchful eye out, remain alert for suspicious behavior around mail carriers, Postal Service vehicles, and common mailboxes, and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. This could include vehicles and/or individuals appearing to follow mail carriers.

Inspector Unsure if Connected to Robberies in Antioch, Contra Costa

Norfleet was asked if the juvenile suspect is from and if either are suspects in robberies of mail carriers in Antioch or Contra Costa County. He responded, “I am not aware of a specific connection to Contra Costa County in the Belmont or Palo Alto robberies. We are still looking at possible connections between these suspects and any of our open robbery investigations in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. We have seen several Bay Area robberies committed by suspects using cars stolen from the Sacramento area, so we know they are at least passing through Contra Costa, and it’s not unreasonable to suspect the same individuals may be responsible for robberies in Antioch (or Contra Costa). We continue to look for leads on mail thefts throughout Contra Costa County, particularly if they relate to robberies of postal workers.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call our 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to (650) 383-8984.

“A Vision for Water-Based Transportation and Emergency Response on the San Francisco Bay”

By Allen D. Payton

The Bay Area’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) board adopted the 2050 Service Vision and Expansion Policy during its meeting on Thursday, May 9 and the plan includes a future, possible station for Antioch, as well as one each in Pittsburg, Martinez and Hercules. Also included is an additional route for the existing terminal in Richmond, which currently offers WETA’s only ferry service in Contra Costa County.

The plan includes two tiers, with the four additional Contra Costa terminals in Tier 2 which will be added based on demand and current, technological barriers to service. The Vision includes one route between the San Francisco Ferry Building to the Hercules terminal and a separate route to and from the Antioch, Pittsburg and Martinez terminals.

The Vision explains that first, “WETA will enhance existing route frequency to continue growing markets for all-day service.” Then, “WETA will expand by implementing the Tier 1 projects from the map including regional priority projects such as those included in regional plans – including Mission Bay and Treasure Island to the San Francisco Ferry Building, Berkeley to San Francisco, and Oakland to Redwood City.”

That will be followed by WETA exploring “development of Tier 2 projects from the map to further expand the reach of the ferry system as market demand matures and technologies evolve to overcome current barriers to operating service.”

In the plan, “WETA will provide at minimum three types of service on the ferry network: Local service consisting of short distance trips connecting dense urban hubs; Regional service consisting of medium and long-distance trips connecting activity centers; and Special Event service to major venues with existing terminals.”

In addition, “WETA will electrify the ferry system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to their website, “Water transit is a vital part of life in the San Francisco Bay Area. WETA has been developing a shared vision of the San Francisco Bay Area ferry system in 2050, including the level of service and extent of WETA ferry operations and emergency response.

This ‘Service Vision’ informs how WETA operates in the future and what changes will need to be made to get there. The vision will serve as the foundation of WETA’s Business Plan, which will present the specific strategies and actions required to achieve the 2050 Service Vision. Strategies and goals are divided across six Focus Areas.

This service visioning effort is a unique opportunity to re-imagine water transit and address emerging priorities concerning the environment, equity, economic development, emergency response and quality of life throughout the Bay Area.”

According to the staff report for the agenda item #11, the plan was “developed to define a long-term service vision based on input from agency stakeholders, the public, and other parties with an interest in the future of the agency. The goal of this project is to create clear direction for the agency and its staff concerning future expansion efforts, prioritize the use of limited funds, identify resource needs, and help build a broad coalition to advocate for future investment in the regional ferry network. The WETA Board received a presentation on a draft Policy at its last meeting in April 2024. Following that meeting, staff incorporated comments from Directors into the final 2050 Service Vision and Expansion Policy—including more detailed information about emergency response and first/last mile connections.

During an initial stakeholder and public outreach effort in 2021, staff identified six focus areas

for consideration in the Business Plan. These include:

1. Regional Ferry Network

2. Emergency Response

3. Environmental Stewardship

4. Community Connections

5. Organizational Capacity

6. Financial Capacity

At Business Plan Workshop #1 held in August 2022, the Board identified a set of network expansion concepts for consideration in defining a 2050 Service Vision. Staff undertook a technical evaluation of these concepts and conducted broad stakeholder and public engagement to create a proposal to develop a draft 2050 Service Vision that was presented to the Board during Workshop #2 in April 2023.

Upon receiving direction from the Board to look more broadly at opportunities to expand the ferry network, staff worked with its consultant team to incorporate this feedback into an updated draft 2050 Service Vision and set of feasibility criteria for future expansion projects.

The draft service vision and feasibility criteria were refined upon review with key project stakeholders, the Community and Business Advisory Groups, and the WETA Business Plan Subcommittee. A consistent source of feedback during the outreach process was support for a WETA pilot program to test the feasibility of new technologies and emerging markets. The product of this process is the final 2050 Service Vision and Expansion Policy.”

The Vision also includes Terminal Rehabilitation & Replacement, improvements to Terminal Access, encouraging Transit-Supportive Land Uses in close proximity to eachcandidate ferry terminal, and Emergency Response. “WETA serves as the coordinator of water-based emergency response activities in the Bay Area in the event of a major disaster or disruptive event. In this capacity, WETA will work closely with the California Office of Emergency Services and/or the United States Coast Guard and will be directed to perform activities coordinated on a regional and state-wide basis. These include deploying WETA’s fleet resources to evacuate dangerous areas, to move first responders, and to deliver needed supplies. WETA will coordinate with other regional maritime partners to add to this fleet response, and terminal facilities must have sufficient capacity and facilities to accommodate these partner vessels. All new expansion terminals must be designed and built to Essential Facilities Standards. Emergency service to individual terminals will be guided based on state and regional direction.”

In addition to Thursday’s meeting, WETA held a public Board of Directors workshop on the 2050 Service Vision in April. The service vision evaluation memo and presentation slides are available, here:

• Service Vision Evaluation Memo
• Presentation

Here’s the public survey summary report, first published in May 2023.

To learn more about the project, visit Bay Ferry 2050 microsite where you can subscribe to updates, share your feedback and more.

Both have history of arrests; a convicted felon, 38-year-old Jesse Martinez already out of custody

By Marin County Sheriff’s Office

On Monday, March 18 2024, at 6:34 PM, Southern Marin Deputies were dispatched to the Target Store located in the Gateway Shopping Center at 190 Donahue Street in Sausalito, on a report from security personnel that a woman was acting suspicious and possibly attempting to steal merchandise.  The woman was associated with a male in a silver Nissan parked out front. While deputies were responding, the suspicious male and female moved over to the Ross Dress for Less across the parking lot. The female again went inside alone, and the male stayed outside in the car.

Upon arrival a Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the male in the Nissan. The driver refused to stop and quickly drove away behind the Ross Dress for Less building. He was unable to leave the parking lot due to additional responding deputies and was quickly detained. Surveillance video from nearby stores showed the male suspect threw two firearms out of the car and into the nearby bushes while he was fleeing from responding units.

Both firearms were recovered; a revolver was loaded with four rounds. A “Glock style” un-serialized pistol had seven rounds in the magazine. The male was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and ammunition, possession of methamphetamine, and fleeing from deputies.

The female inside the store was contacted and arrested for multiple “No Bail” warrants from Placer and San Mateo Counties and being in possession of fentanyl.

Arrested:

Jesse Daniel Martinez age 38 (born 12-4-1985) male from Antioch

For:

11377(A) – Possession of Controlled Substance

11379 – Transportation/Selling A Controlled Substance

11364 – Possess Control Substance Paraphernalia

2800 – Fail to Obey Peace Officer

29800(A)1 – Addict in Possession of Firearm

30305(A)(1) – Possession of Ammunition

Lucy Lu Tompkin age 24 (born 10-26-1999) female from Oakland

For:

11350(A) – Possession of Narcotic Controlled Substance

485 – Grand Theft Of Lost Property

496 – Receive/etc. Known Stolen Property Over $200

10851 – Vehicle Theft

11364(A) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

According to the Marin Co. Sheriff’s Office, Martinez bonded out of custody early Tuesday morning, March 19, 2024.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 5-foot, 8-inch, 185 lb. Martinez has a history of arrests over the past two years by Concord PD, Placerville CHP, El Dorado County and Contra Costa County Sheriffs’ Departments for crimes including drug possession, vehicle theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, addict in possession of a firearm and ammunition and carjacking.

According to the Marin Co. Sheriff’s Office, Lu is being held in the Marin County Jail.

According to localcrimenews.com, she has a history of arrests since 2017 by Sacramento County, El Dorado County, Placer County and San Mateo County Sherffs’  Departments, and Roseville, Colma, San Francisco and South San Francisco PD’s for crimes including intoxicated in public, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer, drug possession, addict in possession of or who purchased tear gas or a tear gas weapon, looting, vehicle theft, grand theft of lost property, retaining possession of personal ID with intent to defraud and possession of burglar’s tools.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office is appreciative of the watchful eyes of citizens, and civilian security personnel who call us when something doesn’t seem right.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.