Presented by Celebrate Antioch Foundation and Rivertown Merchants.

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Join us — become a Red Cross volunteer today

This year, National Volunteer Week is April 16-22, and the American Red Cross of the Bay Area is recognizing the work of the selfless individuals who generously give their valuable time to support people in need.

Across the country, more than 275,000 Red Cross volunteers serve their communities by responding to thousands of disasters of all sizes; supporting the collection of blood to help patients receive the critical care they need; supporting members of the military and their families; helping communities prepare for emergencies around the globe and much more.

Last year, Red Cross Bay Area Chapter volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to 968 local families who faced emergency situations. They trained 29,912 people in lifesaving skills and provided 1,740 services to military members, veterans and their families.

“National Volunteer Week is a time to honor these community heroes for their constant service and support,” said Jonathan Bernier, Regional Volunteer Services Officer. “They are the true heart of the Red Cross.”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are more critical than ever as the climate crisis worsens and the need for shelter, hot meals, health services, and emotional support grows. The Red Cross launches nearly twice as many relief operations for major disasters today compared with a decade ago, and with the 2023 hurricane and wildfire seasons on the horizon, we have a critical need to fill vital volunteer positions.

• Disaster Action Team Member: As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can be a source of refuge and support when it’s needed most. From home fires to storms, unexpected emergencies happen every day, but you can help as a Red Cross volunteer.
• Shelter Services: Support the day-to-day activities within an emergency shelter by helping with reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter. Free online training will be provided. 
• Disaster Health Services: These valuable volunteers use their professional skills as licensed healthcare providers to deliver hands-on care to people in shelters. There is also a need for Mental Health Services volunteers.

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started today. Training is free but the hope you provide as a Red Cross volunteer to people in need is priceless. Join us at a virtual volunteer information session on Tuesday, April 18 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. PT, to learn more about our most-needed volunteer positions and talk with a Red Cross representative. Register today.

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD The Red Cross invites the public to sign up to become a volunteer blood or platelet donor. To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, people can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About the American Red Cross of the Bay Area

With local offices in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; collects lifesaving blood and platelets; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or call us at (415) 427-8000. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Semana Nacional del Voluntario: Estos héroes comunitarios son el verdadero corazón de la Cruz Roja Americana

Por favor, ayude: conviértase en voluntario de la Cruz Roja hoy

Es la Semana Nacional del Voluntariado y la Cruz Roja Americana del Área de la Bahía está reconociendo el trabajo de las personas que generosamente dan su valioso tiempo para apoyar a las personas necesitadas.

En todo el país, más de 275.000 voluntarios de la Cruz Roja sirven a sus comunidades respondiendo a miles de desastres de todos los tamaños; colaboran con la recolección de sangre para ayudar a los pacientes a recibir la atención crítica que necesitan; apoyan a los miembros de las fuerzas armadas y sus familias; ayudan a las comunidades a prepararse para emergencias en todo el mundo y mucho más.

El año pasado, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja del Área de la Bahía proporcionaron alimentos, refugio, consuelo y esperanza a 968 familias locales que enfrentaban situaciones de emergencia. Capacitaron a 29,912 personas en habilidades para salvar vidas y proporcionaron 1,749 servicios a miembros militares, veteranos y sus familias.

“La Semana Nacional del Voluntariado es un tiempo para honrar a estos héroes comunitarios por su constante servicio y apoyo”, dijo Jonathan Bernier, Oficial Regional de Servicios de Voluntarios. “Ellos son el verdadero corazón de la Cruz Roja”.

NECESIDAD DE VOLUNTARIOS Los voluntarios son más críticos que nunca a medida que la crisis climática empeora y crece la necesidad de refugio, comidas calientes, servicios de salud y apoyo emocional. La Cruz Roja lanza ahora casi el doble de operaciones de socorro para desastres mayores que hace una década, y con la temporada 2023 de huracanes e incendios forestales en el horizonte, tenemos una necesidad crítica de llenar puestos vitales de voluntarios.

• Miembro del Equipo de Acción contra Desastres: Como voluntario del Equipo de Acción contra Desastres (en inglés), puede ser una fuente de refugio y apoyo cuando más se necesita. Desde incendios domésticos hasta tormentas, las emergencias inesperadas ocurren todos los días, pero usted puede ayudar como voluntario de la Cruz Roja.
• Servicios de refugio: Apoye las actividades diarias dentro de un refugio de emergencia ayudando con la recepción, registro, alimentación, dormitorio, información u otras áreas dentro de un refugio. Se proporcionará capacitación gratuita en línea.
• Servicios de salud por desastre: Estos valiosos voluntarios (en inglés) utilizan sus habilidades profesionales como proveedores de atención médica con licencia para brindar atención práctica a las personas en refugios. También hay una necesidad de voluntarios de Servicios de Salud Mental.

Visite redcross.org/volunteertoday (en inglés) para comenzar hoy. La capacitación es gratuita, pero la esperanza que brinda como voluntario de la Cruz Roja a las personas necesitadas no tiene precio. Únase a nosotros en una sesión informativa virtual de voluntarios el martes 18 de abril de 12.00 a 1:30 p.m. PT, para obtener más información sobre nuestros puestos de voluntariado más necesarios y hablar con un representante de la Cruz Roja. Regístrese hoy.

POR FAVOR DONE SANGRE La Cruz Roja invita al público a inscribirse para convertirse en donante voluntario de sangre o plaquetas. Para programar una cita para donar sangre o plaquetas, las personas pueden descargar la aplicación gratuita de donantes de sangre de la Cruz Roja, visitar redcrossblood.org o llamar al 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Adds four-firefighter crew at Fire Station 92 in Brentwood, Advanced Life Support capability now districtwide

By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced, Thursday, April 13, 2023, operational staffing of a completely new crew at Fire Station 92 in Brentwood and availability of Advanced Life Support emergency medical service on all operational crews districtwide.

Beginning April 11, the four-firefighter crew of the new Engine 90 was fully operational, more than doubling firefighting resources dispatched from Fire Station 92 located at 201 John Muir Parkway in Brentwood. This unique engine crew is specially equipped and staffed to perform fire scene searches and rescues, vehicular extrications, and other rescues. The additional crew will also support quicker assembly of firefighting forces in east county’s Battalion 9 and neighboring Battalion 8.

Additionally, on April 1, all Con Fire crews in the former East County Fire Protection District area of responsibility became Advanced Life Support capable for the first time since the annexation of that fire district in July 2022. With this change, all operational Con Fire crews across the district are ALS, meaning at least one of the assigned firefighters is a paramedic. Con Fire has been able to upgrade east county crews from their former Basic Life Support capability as a result of its inherent operational efficiencies.

The combination of these two major post-annexation improvements reinforce the benefits of consolidation of firefighting resources into a single, larger, more capable organization able to more efficiently deliver comprehensive fire, rescue, and EMS services across the county.

“I am proud of the work that has been done by so many, including firefighters, elected officials, and staff at all levels, to position us to deliver these life- and property-saving resources to residents of east county and our entire district,” said Lewis Broschard, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “The additional four-person crew on Engine 90 adds immensely to our response capability in east county and benefits central residents, as well, while districtwide ALS capability assures all district residents of receiving paramedic care in a timely manner anywhere Con Fire serves.”

“This is another milestone to celebrate as we work towards making east Contra Costa County safer after the annexation of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis. “With the addition of four new firefighters in Brentwood, and assignment of Engine 88 to East County’s Battalion 9, there are now 19 firefighters where there used to be nine. This, and with the transition from EMTs to paramedics, we are providing more resources to east county cities and unincorporated areas, enhancing the quality of service, ensuring response times are faster, and we are all safer. I also look forward to the two new stations to be built in the next few years.”

Engine 90 is uniquely configured and staffed as a virtual ladder truck company on a fire engine platform. This means the new engine is equipped with all the specialized equipment, including rescue and extrication tools, typically found on a fire truck, with the exception of a 100-foot aerial ladder and master stream water nozzle system. It is also staffed with four firefighters, as opposed to the three normally found on a fire engine. These four crewmembers are able to work as two separate teams, essentially doubling the tasks that can be accomplished at an incident scene by this single apparatus and crew.

Engine 90’s innovative ladder truck-like configuration comes as a result of a districtwide shortage of ladder trucks due to the recent highway accident that took one such apparatus permanently out of service and nationwide supply chain issues creating extended delays in new equipment delivery times. Con Fire expects to be able to replace Engine 90 with a new ladder truck sometime in 2024. Until that time, Engine 90 will deliver most of the many capabilities of a ladder truck, minus its aerial ladder.

All of Con Fire’s operational crews are ALS capable, staffed with at least one paramedic on board, along with other crew members who are emergency medical technicians. Our apparatus are properly equipped and supplied with the medications needed to provide patients with a higher level of medical care including those in cardiac arrest and respiratory distress, and who need advanced trauma care, continuous IV drips, on a chronic ventilator, and those who require cardiac monitoring.

Paramedics and EMTs who staff the Con Fire ALS apparatus have a higher level of training than those who provide BLS services at other organizations. Due to their advanced training, ALS personnel are allowed to start IVs, administer medications, and give injections to help stabilize the patient on the way to emergency rooms or trauma centers.

Measure X is a countywide 20-year, ½ cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020. Collection of the tax began on April 1, 2021. The ballot measure stated the intent of Measure X is “to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential services.”

A board of supervisors created Measure X Community Advisory Board oversee an annual assessment of community needs, focusing primarily on the priority areas identified in the Measure X Needs Assessment, including emergency response (fire/medical), health care, safety net services, preventative care, affordable housing, and support for early childhood, youth, families, and seniors.

About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District – With implementation of a contract for service with the City of Pinole in March, 2023 and annexation of the former East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) in July, 2022, Contra Costa Fire now provides fire and emergency medical services to more than 770,000 residents in 12 cities and 11 unincorporated areas across our expanded 557 square-mile jurisdiction. The district now comprises 34 fire stations and more than 600 employees. Through our unique ambulance “Alliance,” the district delivers EMS and ambulance transport services to much of Contra Costa County. In 2022, the district responded to nearly 100,000 incidents of all types, including 67,000 fire medical emergencies, and dispatched some 100,000 ambulances, conducting more than 75,000 ambulance transports. Contra Costa Fire remains dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.

Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford speaks during the council meeting Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Video screenshot

Condemns “racially abhorrent content and incomprehensible behavior”

Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford released the following statement Thursday afternoon, April 13, 2023, regarding recent reports of inappropriate text messages being attributed to Antioch Police Department members:

“I condemn – in the strongest possible terms – the racially abhorrent content and incomprehensible behavior being attributed to members of the Antioch Police Department in media reports. I have taken immediate action to ensure a thorough investigation by an external independent entity is conducted and the community is not exposed to any individuals under question from this reporting.

On behalf of our organization, I apologize to the Antioch Community for the hurt caused by this hateful speech. I promise to hold accountable the officers expressing racist or bigoted beliefs, biased insensitivity, and those boasting about harming members of the community.

I would like to thank the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work in helping us identify the sickening disease of racism and other incompatible behaviors within our ranks. We will continue to fully cooperate with their efforts while taking actionable steps to restore community trust in our organization.”

Ford was appointed interim police chief in April 2022 and hired as the permanent chief in October.

During Public Comments Mayor Thorpe stood up, pointed and yelled at resident Sal Sbranti who made critical remarks of the mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker. Video screenshots.

Mayor challenges him to “go outside”, quickly apologizes

By Allen D. Payton

During Public Comments, which the mayor shortened, at the beginning of Tuesday night’s Antioch City Council meeting, several residents spoke of their disdain over the revelation of racist texts by 17 Antioch Police officers earlier in the day. After one resident spoke and was critical of Mayor Lamar Thorpe and Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker, Thorpe erupted, stood up, pointed and yelled at the resident as the man was leaving the Council Chambers. (Watch from 2:20:00 mark of council meeting video)

Two speakers from Reimagine Antioch called for a review of cases which the officers dealt with and for an audit of the department.

“We need to do like the surgeons do and cut out that cancer,” one man said.

Another speaker, business owner Jim Lanter, who said he’s lived in Antioch since 1963, also offered his support for Chief Ford.

“Let’s get an audit of your text messages,” a defiant resident Sal Sbranti said during comments directed at Thorpe.

“Get it. Let’s get it,” the mayor shot back.

“I would like to see the police cam video when officers went to Councilmember Tamisha’s home,” Sbranti continued referring to the October 2021 incident. “I’d like to see that.”

“It takes seven to eight years to affect cultural change not one or two,” he then said, and that it began under the previous two police chiefs.

“That is a dog whistle racism, right there, an example of what’s absolutely wrong with this city,” Thorpe yelled at Sbranti, asking him, “You want to go outside, right now? Let’s go.”

“I’m sick and tired of being attacked by these people in this community apologizing for the racism going on in this community,” the mayor said standing up, yelling and pointing at Sbranti. “You’re the problem. You’re the problem.”

Councilmembers Mike Barbanica, Monica Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker called for a recess of the meeting and tried to calm down the mayor who pounded his gavel and left the dais. The meeting was briefly suspended.

Councilmembers Mike Barbanica, Monica Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker called for a recess of the meeting and tried to calm down the mayor who had left the dais. The meeting was briefly suspended.

A few minutes later, Thorpe returned to the dais and said, “Alright. Thank you. I ask everyone for patience, including myself. I apologize for my outburst. That was not right. I shouldn’t have done that. For those of you who know it’s been a rough few weeks for me (referring to the passing of his father). But after reading some of the texts, today…it was personal to me. All I heard was n—-er, n—-er, n—-er. That should be personal to you, too. People have a right to say what they want and I have a right not to listen.”

“The citizens of Antioch are not all here, tonight. There are some who are afraid and feel intimidated and we wonder why,” resident Velma Wilson said. “I’m here in full support of Chief Ford.”

Following her comments, a woman yelled out to which Thorpe said, “I’m going to start warning people.”

“Everyone makes mistakes, everyone does. I’ve made mistakes,” resident Shagoofa Khan said. “I started protesting the police department not because I hate police. I’m glad this investigation is outing those bad apples.”

“It’s about integrity. You’re all held to a higher level,” said Edgar Martinez

Council Members Offer Their Thoughts on Racist Police Texts

During what is usually the section of the meeting for council committee reports and the mayor’s comments each of the members shared their thoughts about the revelation of the racist and other offensive texts by some of the City’s police officers.

“I sat on the phone today with a member of the press and had 21 pages of text read to me,” Barbanica said. “I’m not going to pretend to know how people coming up here and I can hear the hurt in their voice. I’ve been assured by the city attorney, the city manager and chief…I have faith in Chief Ford that investigations will go forward…and hold those people accountable. For me to speak out will only hamper an investigation. Let’s give Chief Ford and his staff the benefit of the doubt that they will

District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock spoke next saying, “I want to thank all those who have come forward and shared their stories. I haven’t read the news articles. I too have heard the hurt in your voice. I don’t understand the pain this has caused individuals. I have not lived in your shoes. I have been assured there will be an audit. I believe in the police chief, and he will take the necessary actions against whomever.”

Wilson then said, “I want to thank everyone who came tonight. It takes a lot of courage…to speak out, to speak your truth. I know this has been building up for several years. We as a council, I know we’re going to try to do what is right. I only got through half that article and I was disgusted. We see all of you and hear all of you.”

Torres-Walker spoke next saying, “I’m not even sure if I can stay through this meeting. What I will say is, my youngest son had his first encounter at the age of 13, a negative encounter, with law enforcement. He grew up taking pictures with Richmond Police Officers. He wanted to grow up to be a police officer until that day.”

“When I was called by the reporter…I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the texts,” she continued. “It’s trauma porn and no person of color should have to hear it. But I said, ‘go ahead’. She said, ‘you’re not going to be surprised’. I heard n—–er, hood rat, n—–er b—ch…threats of assaulting the mayor. Confessions about the harm.”

A woman in the audience started screaming.

“It was very disturbing. People were coming to this council, before Mike, before I was elected and they were ignored,” the mayor pro tem continued. “It led to the death of Angelo Quinto, to the death of others.”

“You can be a Black person and be anti-Black. Especially if you’re in a culture that teaches you to hate yourself,” she stated, referring to the death of

“I know people have come here tonight to give their support to Chief Ford. He was dealt a bad hand by previous chiefs before him, Chief Cantando, Chief Brooks and he’s a Black man. Chief Ford chooses to stay in Antioch because it will be a choice,” Torres-Walker concluded.

Thorpe then offered his thoughts saying, “I’m just very upset, today. Not just for myself but for our community. The unique thing about being mayor…you take on everybody’s pain…and I own that. This is particularly painful for me. “We’ve sat in a lot of closed session” mentioning Wilson and Ogorchock. “We’ve constantly swept things under the rug even though we knew things were wrong. Two of us chose to say something in 2020 when called for police reform.”

“People make racist commentary,” Thorpe stated. “It’s dog-whistle racism. We’ve gone through a stupid recall because of the culture at the police department.”

“The scariest time of my life was when I was summoned to the DA’s office as I didn’t know why,” he continued. “Then to find out about the investigation of our officers.”

“When you hear these text messages…and it’s not about, ‘oh, oops, I made a racist comment’. This was in their hearts,” Thorpe stated. “We’re now talking about 24 (officers). This is what it is and we’re going to deal with it. We’re going to make some changes. Some of those changes are going to make people uncomfortable but I don’t give a damn.”

“I’m trusting my 13-year-old daughter in your hands. I’m trusting the officers to show up and do the right thing.”

“This isn’t about bashing people who show up and do the right thing,” Thorpe continued. “This is certainly something that is just not good. This is by no way…unlike the last mayor, I’m not going to run from my responsibility. We’re going to need all of your support.”

Thorpe then concluded his remarks thanking those who reached out with support following the passing of his father.

He then asked for everyone to pause and reflect for a few minutes, a moment of silence.

When reached for comment, Sbranti shared what happened after Thorpe left the dais.

“I said to him, ‘if you want to come on, come on,’” Sbranti said. “I was called a bunch of names by those who had spoken before. They were calling me a racist. I told them I’m not a racist, I just don’t like Lamar as our mayor. I think he’s a punk.”

Offering grants from $500 to $10,000; Mandatory Virtual Bidder’s Conference May 2

The Office of Supervisor Federal Glover is pleased to announce that the 2022–23 grant cycle for the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund is now open. Grant applications ranging from $500 to $10,000 will be accepted via the online application portal beginning May 2, 2023, following a mandatory bidder’s conference. The link for the application portal will be accessible and publicly announced on May 2.  Applications for services must fall within one of the broad categories previously approved by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors:

• Code Enforcement
• Community Beautification
• Community Services
• Public Safety (Including Public Health)
• Youth Services

Additionally, services funded by the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund must be offered in the mitigation area, which includes the unincorporated community of Bay Point, the City of Pittsburg, and the City of Antioch. The target area is divided into a primary area (Bay Point and Pittsburg from its western border to Harbor Street) and a secondary area (Pittsburg from Harbor Street east to the entire City of Antioch). Services may also be provided to organizations outside the mitigation area only when the beneficiaries reside within the mitigation area.

To apply for Keller Canyon Mitigation grant funds, organizations must be designated either a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) corporation under the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency (city, special district, county department, etc.).

MANDATORY VIRTUAL BIDDER’S CONFERENCE—TUESDAY, MAY 2, 202

To be eligible to apply for Keller Canyon Mitigation funds, public agencies and eligible nonprofit organizations must have at least one representative attend and remain for its duration a mandatory virtual bidder’s conference on Tuesday, May 2 at 9:00 a.m. The bidder’s conference is expected to last for approximately 90 minutes and will include detailed presentations on the grant process as well as allow for questions and answers. To have a record of attendees, registration for the bidder’s conference is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE MANDATORY BIDDER’S CONFERENCE

Should you have any questions, please call the District 5 office at 925-608-4200 or send an email to district5@bos.cccounty.us.

By Antioch Police Department

Team Antioch – Join us for an Open House and BBQ Party we are hosting on April 29th. The event will be held from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Antioch Police Department located at 300 ‘L’ Street.

We will have a DJ, photo booth, face painter (so bring the kiddos), police department tours, patrol vehicle and rescue vehicle displays, a drone demonstration, LUNCH, and Antioch Animal Services will have a display along with free pet adoptions.

We cannot wait to spend time with our community! You do not need to RSVP- just swing on by and hangout with us.