In light of well-publicized, hostile encounters with police in various communities across the United States, the recently formed Antioch Community Team (ACT) is hosting a public forum  entitled Building Bridges and Tearing Down Barriers Symposium, before it happens here.

The symposium will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Delta Bay Church of Christ, located at 913 Sunset Drive in Antioch.

The primary goal of the symposium is to have a proactive, community dialogue that ensures trust among law enforcement and communities-at-large via a panel discussion with members of the policing community, as well as friends, neighbors and others from various communities.

Also sponsored by the Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Greatness Rediscovered in Our Time (G.R.I.O.T.), the symposium will explore how to strengthen relations between the community and law enforcement by opening lines of communication between both entities. The ACT team welcomes all to come together as one community and have a healthy dialogue about 21st Century Policing.

However, Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando said both he and Captain Tammany Brooks are not available that night and will be unable to attend, nor will they be sending a representative from the Antioch Police Department.

In 2014, President Obama issued an Executive Order forming an 11-member Task Force on 21st Century Policing. His Executive Order stated the purpose: The Task Force shall, consistent with applicable law,  identify best practices and otherwise make recommendations to the President on how policing practices can promote effective crime reduction while building public trust.

Over 90 days of hearing, input and testimony, the Task Force developed Six Pillars of 21st Century Policing and five ways each of three stakeholder groups can implement them.

The Six Pillars are: 1. Building Trust and Legitimacy; 2. Policy and Oversight; 3. Technology and Social Media; 4. Community Policing and Crime Reduction; 5. Training and Education; and 6. Officer Wellness and Safety.

The three stakeholder groups include local government, law enforcement and communities. According to the Implementation Guide, following are the five things each of three stakeholder groups can do to implement the Task Force’s recommendations:

Local government

1. Create listening opportunities with the community.

2. Allocate government resources to implementation.

3. Conduct community surveys on attitudes toward policing, and publish the results.

4. Define the terms of civilian oversight to meet the community’s needs.

5. Recognize and address holistically the root causes of crime.

Law enforcement

1. Review and update policies, training, and data collection on use of force, and engage

community members and police labor unions in the process.

2. Increase transparency of data, policies, and procedures.

3. Call on the POST [Police Officers Standards & Training] Commission to implement all levels of training.

4. Examine hiring practices and ways to involve the community in recruiting.

5. Ensure officers have access to the tools they need to keep them safe.

Communities

1. Engage with local law enforcement; participate in meetings, surveys, and other activities.

2. Participate in problem-solving efforts to reduce crime and improve quality of life.

3. Work with local law enforcement to ensure crime-reducing resources and tactics are being deployed that mitigate unintended consequences.

4. Call on state legislators to ensure that the legal framework does not impede accountability for

law enforcement.

5. Review school policies and practices, and advocate for early intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the criminal justice system.

Please join the conversation.

Register for the free symposium to join the conversation on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/building-bridges-tearing-down-barriers-symposium-tickets-27307531562?aff=eioscfrmshrefabk&ref=eioscfrmshrefabk

To learn more about 21st Century Policing, please click on the following documents and website:

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/taskforce/taskforce_finalreport.pdf

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/taskforce/Implementation_Guide.pdf

http://cops.usdoj.gov/policingtaskforce

To download a copy of the symposium flyer, click here: act-symposium-flier

For more information follow ACT on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AntiochCommunityTeam/

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

The 33rd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest volunteer event, will take place on Saturday, September 17th 2016. The event is expected to draw more than 70,000 volunteers who will combat marine debris at over 800 locations throughout the state by removing the trash that has accumulated on California’s beaches and inland shorelines over the past year.

Antioch residents have the opportunity to participate and help clean up our city from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. There are three locations to choose from: Antioch Marina, Prewett Park and Fulton Shipyard.

To volunteer, visit the City of Antioch’s website and sign up for one or more people using this form. If you have more in your group than the form allows, email Lisa Arcidiacono with the information on your group.  For questions regarding the event, contact the Environmental Resource Line at 925-779-6137 or email Lisa Arcidiacono.

Then, following, be sure to attend the FREE 18th Annual Delta Blues Festival from noon to 7:30 p.m. at Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown!

The candidates for Antioch Mayor and City Council will square off on Tuesday night, September 20^th and answer questions from the panelist, audience and each other during two forums, hosted by the Antioch Herald.

The forum for city council candidates will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 8:00 p.m. The forum for candidates for mayor will begin at 8:15 p.m. and last one hour.

Each candidate will have the opportunity to ask two questions of fellow candidates and offer two rebuttals. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, as well.

Paul Burgarino, the Voter Education & Engagement Specialist with the Contra Costa County Clerk/Recorder-Registrar – Election Division will be the panelist asking the questions of the candidates, Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen will serve as time keeper and Herald Publisher Allen Payton will moderate the forums.

The forums will be held in the Antioch City Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 200 H Street, between West 2nd and West 3rd Streets in downtown and will be recorded for later viewing on local cable access TV channels.

The forum for the seven candidates running for the Antioch School Board in the November election, hosted by the Antioch Herald, has been rescheduled to Monday night, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. so as not to conflict with the dinner to honor teacher Maria McClain being held, on Thursday, September 22.

Each candidate will have the opportunity to ask two questions of fellow candidates and offer two rebuttals. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, as well.

Paul Burgarino, the Voter Education & Engagement Specialist with the Contra Costa County Clerk/Recorder-Registrar – Election Division will be the panelist asking the questions of the candidates, Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen will serve as time keeper and Herald Publisher Allen Payton will moderate the forum.

The forum will be held in the Antioch City Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 200 H Street, between West 2nd and West 3rd Streets in downtown and will be recorded for later viewing on local cable access TV channels.

By Allen Payton

At a late Thursday afternoon press conference in the Antioch City Council Chambers, Antioch Mayor Wade Harper was joined by faith and community leaders to speak out and denounce the hate crime against an African-American family that occurred in the city, early Wednesday morning. All four council members were in attendance.

“We are here because a terrible crime that happened in the City of Antioch,” said Harper.

He said he looked for a word of comfort and found a scripture verse, which he quoted, Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, oh man. He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

“And we didn’t see that the other day,” Harper continued. “We didn’t see justice. We didn’t see kindness. And we saw no humility in that terrible act that was committed.”

“While there are great things happening in Antioch and great people that come out of the city of Antioch, we’re not here to talk about that, today,” he said. “We’re here to take a stand, as a city, as a city council against the horrendous hate crime that occurred in the city, yesterday about 3:00 a.m.”

“An unknown person wrote racial slurs, a swastika and threw a flammable device onto the house, setting a portion of the house on fire,”Harper stated.

“This does not happen in Antioch and this will not be allowed to happen in Antioch.”  “I want you to be clear about that. That our entire city council stands against that, our entire police department and our entire community stands against that.”

“My first reaction was anger and frustration that this type of crime could occur in the city…where we’re raising our children and grandchildren.,” Harper stated.

It seems that when we see a decline in violence in Antioch, and we’re on the right track, something like this happens bringing to our attention that our work is not done, yet.”

“I know the investigation is continuing. We’re not here to talk about that and we definitely will not interfere with any investigation.”

“While every city has crime, in Antioch our faith will not be shaken by this incident. The greatness of our city…lies in our people. So we will come together as a city of Antioch, as a community. We will not be in fear. We will not be victimized. If you don’t have a Neighborhood Watch program… in your neighborhood, start one. If you don’t know your neighbor, meet them.

He spoke of his conversation with Ms. Williams, the woman of the family that was victimized.

“I stopped by her house I found out my entire city council had stopped by her house and showed her concern and I told her that the residents of Antioch could show her way more love than one person could show her hate.”

“She said she would not attend this conference but she said she wanted to let the community know, that one bad seed does not destroy her faith in Antioch. She wanted to thank the community for reaching out to her and let everyone know she’s going to be OK.”

“I spoke with representatives of the District Attorney’s office. They are aware of this incident and they take this type of crime, seriously.”

He thanked the representatives of the various elected officials, including Assemblyman Jim Frazier and Congressman Jerry McNerney.

“This is an effort of the entire community,” Harper added. “We are coming together and we are standing firm and saying Antioch is a great city. We are not going to tolerate this. We are not going to let this happen.”

Pastor Chris Williams of the Church at Antioch spoke, next.

“I stand as a part of and representative of the faith community,” he said. “It’s very important and yet significant to realize that the very place of Antioch, historically and biblically is the place where they were first called Christians. That would suggest that they pattern their lives after Christ and after the principles of God, meaning that God is love. And the reality is love is bigger than any religion, love is bigger than any denomination.

“So we come, today to stand with this city, with this mayor, with law enforcement with all of the concerned citizens of Antioch, to as faith based leaders, offer our support, and yet our desire to cause the city of Antioch to be a place that is characteristic of that first, historic city a place of love,” said Williams, who is not related to the family who are the victims.

He said he wanted to “shower the Williams’ family with love to conquer the hate.”

Charles Glasper, representing the East County Branch of the NAACP spoke next.

“Hate crimes in our community will not be tolerated,” he stated. “We will stand united. This appears to be a hate crime of the most egregious nature. This bias not only terrorizes the intended victims but it terrorizes our community, as well.”

“However, today our community will stand together in peaceful coexistence and we will prevail,” Glasper said.

“Members of the East County Branch of the NAACP have been in touch with the Chief of Police of the Antioch Police Department. We have been assured that this matter is one of the department’s top priorities.”

“The NAACP wants to assure the Williams’ family and the community that we will continue to follow up with law enforcement to ensure that that all is being done to swiftly bring any and all perpetrators to justice. Thank you.”

Harper then thanked more of those in attendance, including other pastors and elected officials.

“Let’s stand together in unity,” he concluded.

Then Harper opened it up for questions.

The first one was about the video that the police have.

“Is this somebody’s home video?”

Harper responded that he would refer that to the police department.

“I’m not prepared to talk about their investigation and will leave that to them,” he said.

When asked if he considered murder a more serious crime and about the 35 murders since he was elected mayor, Harper responded “This is not a political event.”

When asked if he had ever had a press conference on the murders for the families of those victims, he ended the press conference and responded, “Thank you very much.”

Asked the same question again and with “yes or no?” Harper repeatedly responded with “Thank you very much.”

Two of Harper’s opponents in the Mayor’s race were unable to attend.

However, before the press conference when asked for comment, Gil Murillo said the “Mayor should have been with our Chief at yesterday’s press conference. Luckily our Chief has a community behind him.”

His other opponent, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock was in attendance but didn’t speak at the press conference. Earlier in the day she said “I believe as leaders of our community/city [we] need to stand together. This is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Dr. Sean Wright commented after the press conference that “The hate crime was despicable and doesn’t represent the residents of Antioch.”

 

By Sherrill Hecock

On August 9, 2016 at the City Council Chambers, the Antioch High School class of 1956 received a proclamation from Mayor Wade Harper declaring August 27th the “AHS Class of 1956 Day.”

Five members of the class were there to receive the proclamation which was shared with all at their reunion. Those in attendance that evening were Bob Franchetto, Sue Carris Siino, Joan Price Bell, Gayle Gibbs Autentico and Sherill Beckett Hecock and their guests. This class was the second to graduate from the newly built high school at 18th and L Streets.

On August 26th at the 7:00 p.m. football game against Lincoln High school, the class was again honored with special seating, several announcements and a “Class of ‘56…Welcome home” sign prepared by the current high school students. This was arranged courtesy of Principal Louie Rocha. Nineteen class members and their guests were present at the game. (Not all pictured here below).

Their 60th class reunion was held at the Lone Tree Golf and Event Center on August 27th, and attended by 80 classmates including their guests. Masters of Ceremonies were Lanny Bown, who came all the way from North Carolina for the event, and Randy Autentico.

The class was treated to a fabulous “Italian House Buffet” prepared by chefs at the Golf Course. Grace was offered by Sue Carris Siino. Each attendee was greeted by Sue Siino and Gayle Gibbs Autentico at the door and received a packet containing a raffle ticket, name tag with their high school photo courtesy of Teri Bell Johnson, a copy of Mayor Wade Harper’s Proclamation, their class song “No Man is an Island” and a current roster of classmates.

During the evening, Lanny Bown read the bios of Antioch Sports Legends 2011 and 2012 inductees Ray Harrington and Randy Autentico, Gayle Autentico memorialized those who have passed away from a list prepared by Olga Jacques Martinez, and Renee Hunt Holding read the class song lyrics. Olga also prepared memory boards with photos from the past 60 years.

Beautiful flower arrangements were on each table compliments of Paula’s Family Florist. Principal Louie Rocha also arranged for the class to receive a gift basket for their raffle during the evening. It was a month to remember. A year of planning proved to be well worth the effort.