The graduating class of the Antioch Police 3rd Citizens Academy with Chief Tammany Books (in suit, back center) The class included Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock (center, 2nd row) and Economic Development Commissioner Tim McCall (front row, 2nd from right). Photo by APD

By Allen Payton

A post on the Antioch Police Department’s Facebook page on Thursday, Dec. 14 announced the graduation of the 3rd Citizens Academy class on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

“What an amazing group of citizens! In 13 weeks we have made some great friendships. We hope you learned a lot from our officers and you gave us some great perspective as well. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to learn about your police department, your staff, and the many different ways we serve you. With this class complete it begs the question….Are you up for the challenge of our next Citizens Academy?”

Graduate Tim McCall, an Antioch landscape contractor and member of the Economic Development Commission shared about his experience in the academy.

“The Citizens Police Academy was an amazing opportunity to get to see what APD does on a daily basis, how well trained and what real genuine people our officers are,” he said. “Their job is long and hard, and many serve in several positions.”

“I am grateful for the understanding of our police department and for the many relationships I made,” McCall continued. “Too many people make assumptions without true understanding and this course helped me to gain a great knowledge of what it means to serve in the APD. Their job is dangerous and unpredictable, and our officers do it with a great deal of pride.”

“I am very proud of our department and believe they are truly the best,” he added. “I recommend this course to all citizens of Antioch. You will not regret the time you spend.”

McCall also provided a description of the ride-along he participated in with an Antioch police officer, one night in an Oct. 21 email to Lt. Tarra Mendes who runs the academy:

“On Friday night I had the special opportunity of riding along with a young officer who has only been a cop for 2-1/2 years. Jake…is just 33 years old.

1st off as we left, Jake, known as Y4, asked me to call dispatch on the radio and let them know we were heading on a call. He told me what to say and I repeated it perfectly. I sounded very cool. No response from dispatch… 5 seconds later a message was typed to him asking if everything was ok?  This very alert dispatcher knew I wasn’t Jake and was checking on his safety. As Jake and I were having a good laugh at this, I was amazed at the awareness this dispatcher showed. It was a lite, funny way to start off a busy night and set the stage for the true professionalism I was about to experience.

As we left on the 1st call of the night, the 1st thing I noticed was the awareness and admirable multitasking abilities Jake showed. As he drove to the call he was checking suspicious cars along the route, never wasting a minute of ‘doing police work’.  He made himself familiar with all the specifics of the call we were going to and all this time Jake was teaching me what he was doing. I was amazed.

As the night went on and I watched Jake interact with the people from each call there was one thought that kept entering my mind. THIS is true ‘community policing’. I am not sure how he did it but he remained courteous, soft spoken, smiling and showed a genuine concern for the the people he interacted with. Honestly, some I wanted to tell to shut up. All of this time Jake maintained control and his actions brought about respect for him from the people he was dealing with. He raised his voice only once through the night which brought the guy into compliance and then immediately lowered it again. I witnessed a child in a very unfortunate situation smile at Jake like she was in love as he took a moment to smile and talk with her, give her a sticker and let her know cops are good people. As we left we discussed how she was the real victim of this situation.  For a young cop like Jake, I was very impressed. He showed maturity and integrity well beyond his years as an active cop. His actions this evening was a gold star on the city on Antioch chest.

If I have one critique of Jake it would be that he should take more bathroom breaks. He tried to take one during the middle of my ride, but the bathroom was being used. He told me we didn’t have time and we left. I was aware even if he didn’t remember that 3 hours later he still never took that break. Jake, go to the bathroom, the city will survive.

In conclusion, I am very impressed and feel fortunate that Jakes beat is where I live. The city of Antioch and APD should also feel fortunate to have Jake working to make us safe. I honestly feel he has a genuine concern for people and a great passion for his job. Thank you, Jake for your service.

Please do share this with Jake, his supervisors and feel free to read it to the Citizens Academy.

Sincerely,

Tim”

To inquire about the next Antioch Police Citizens Academy, contact Lt. Mendes at (925) 779-6900.

A percentage of your purchases will benefit the Delta Contra Costa American Association of University Women scholarships to LMC students and Tech Trek for middle school girls. Please download the form and use the voucher with your purchase. bnvoucherflyer2017

See related article about Eddie Hart, here.

Cadets in the Contra Costa County  Police and Sheriff’s Academy participate as a group in the 2017 Holiday Run & Walk For Health.

Race co-founder and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson participated, again this year.

On Saturday, December 9th, the Kiwanis Club of the Delta, Antioch held its 41st Annual Holiday Run and Walk for Health at Contra Loma Regional Park. Four hundred and fifty runners and walkers participated in a 1-mile, 3-mile or 10K run, and schools of all grade levels sent teams to participate in the School Challenge. First through fifth place finishers were awarded medals and each participant received a ribbon. Top male and female finishers in each race category received a handsome trophy for their strong efforts. Ages of participants ranged from three to over seventy, and children ages 3-7 could run with Santa in the Kid’s Dashes.

Long-time coordinator, Paul Schorr, presided over the event and California State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson served as the starter for the races and ran in the 3-mile event. Tom was one of the originators of the first Holiday Run forty-one years ago.

Proceeds from the Holiday Run are committed to youth services and youth organizations within the community, and include high school Key Clubs, Aktion Club and Builders Club. In addition, monetary contributions are made to local libraries. The School Challenge recognizes the top three elementary, middle and high schools with the most represented participants. The top three winning schools in each category are presented monetary awards as well as a trophy at the Awards Breakfast which will be held at Lone Tree Golf Course on January 16.

The 2017 Holiday Run sponsors included: Beswick Family Fund and East Bay Community Foundation; East Bay Regional Park District; City of Antioch; SUNPOWER; Starbucks; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and Republic Services. Many thanks to our sponsors and to all of the Kiwanians and friends who volunteered to make this community event so successful. 

Winners of the 3-mile race.

Following are the top finishers in the School Challenge.  Each school will receive a monetary award as well as a trophy.  Presentations will occur at the Kiwanis Holiday Run Awards Breakfast, beginning at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center.

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

1st Place:    DVHS

2nd Place:  Antioch H S

3rd Place:   Liberty H S

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION

1st Place:    Dallas Ranch M S

2nd Place:  Park M S

3rd Place:   Antioch M S

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIV.

1st Place:    Marsh

2nd Place:   Belshaw

3rd Place:   Kimball

LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

Contra Costa County Police & Sheriff’s Academy

At Mountain Mike’s Pizza in the Raley’s shopping center.

Assault with a deadly weapon (vehicle)

By Corporal Steve Aiello, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 at 8:12 am, Antioch Police officers and medical personnel were dispatched to a reported injury collision involving two vehicles on Terrace View Avenue near Ferngrove Way. Officers arrived and located five injured subjects. Three of the subjects from the responsible vehicle had severe injuries. The victim and his young daughter had complaints of pain only.

Medical personnel arrived shortly after and began treating all injured parties. All of the subjects were transported via AMR to area hospitals. All subjects are in stable condition.

It was determined the occupants of the two vehicles had been in a verbal altercation earlier in the morning stemming from an ongoing dispute. This resulted in the subjects in the responsible vehicle chasing the subject and his daughter in the victim vehicle. The victim managed to elude the responsibles initially.

However, the responsibles located him on Terrace View Ave. When the victim attempted to flee again, the responsibles intentionally drove their vehicle into the front of the victim’s vehicle.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.