The Antioch Police Officers’ Association (APOA) is pleased to announce its endorsement of Sandra White for City Council District 4 and Joy Motts for City Council District 1.
Our members are dedicated to protecting and serving the people of Antioch, and we believe strong, collaborative leadership at City Hall is essential to that mission. Sandra White and Joy Motts have shown a commitment to public safety and to the future of this community. We are proud to support them.
The APOA’s endorsement reflects its members’ shared goal of a safe, thriving Antioch for residents, families, and local businesses. The Association looks forward to working with both candidates to support the city’s police department, strengthen community trust, and build a better future for Antioch.
The APOA encourages all Antioch residents to learn about the candidates, make a plan to vote, and take part in the upcoming election.
Prevents former ICE agents with history of misconduct from becoming law enforcement officers in California
Claims participating in ICE operations during Trump’s 2nd term “demonstrates an immorality”
Could be challenged in court, deemed unconstitutional
By Allen D. Payton
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 1627, the Misconduct Ends Law-enforcement Trust Act of 2026 (MELT ICE) by Assemblywoman Anamarie Ávila Farías (D-Martinez), which disqualifies officers employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from being employed as a peace officer in California, if they “engaged in serious misconduct that would have resulted in their certification being revoked…if employed as a peace officer in this state.”
While the law makes clear that existing police hiring rules covering serious misconduct by former law enforcement officers now, also apply to officers involved in immigration enforcement, it applies even if the ICE officer was not found guilty of misconduct in their current or previous position.
However, the soon to be new law could be challenged in court because of possible violation of federal labor law and deemed unconstitutional in part due to the “immorality” clause. That clause reads, “Participating in the operations of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or after January 20, 2025, demonstrates an immorality that California cannot afford to have in its ranks of peace officer.”
On August 30th, the bill passed the state Senate on 29 to 10 party-line vote, and the Assembly by 57 to 16 also on a party-line vote. It was enrolled and presented to the Governor on Sept. 9th at 1 p.m.
Part of Package of Federal Immigration Enforcement Related Bills Signed by Governor
According to a press release from the governor’s office that day, “Governor Newsom signed 21 bills earlier today cementing California’s longstanding efforts to support immigrant communities and reflecting on the state’s response to an intensified federal immigration enforcement environment.”
“This action builds on years of work by Governor Newsom and the Legislature to support (illegal) immigrant families, protect communities and the economy from reckless immigration actions, strengthen transparency and oversight of detention facilities, and ensure that state resources are focused on public safety and the needs of Californians.
The governor’s office claims the package of bills, “Prohibits ICE officers who have committed serious misconduct on the job from becoming peace officers or public employees in California.”
Included in the bills was AB 1627 by Ávila Farías, described as “Public employment: disqualifications”, and known as the MELT ICE Act.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest of AB 1627
According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, “Existing (state) law specifies circumstances that disqualify a person from holding office or being employed as a peace officer, including, among other things, any person previously employed in law enforcement in any state or United States territory or by the federal government whose name is listed in any of specified indexes whose certification as a law enforcement officer in that jurisdiction was revoked for misconduct or who, while employed as a law enforcement officer, engaged in serious misconduct that would have resulted in their certification being revoked by the commission if employed as a peace officer in this state.
“This bill would specify that, for purposes of the disqualification circumstances described above, the terms ‘employed in law enforcement’ and ‘law enforcement officer’ include a law enforcement officer employed in any state or United States territory or by the federal government who engages in immigration enforcement, as provided.”
Bill Text Claims Participating in ICE Operations During Trump’s Second Term “Demonstrates an Immorality”
According to the Bill Text in, “SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
“(a) Beginning in 2025, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have terrorized California residents, United States citizens and noncitizens alike, through untargeted arrests and brutality based on nothing more than a person’s racial appearance, language spoken, means of earning a living, or exercise of First Amendment-protected expression.
“(b) Beginning in 2025, the United States Department of Homeland Security has recruited peace officers to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the promise of being unrestrained in the manner in which officers engage with civilians or by the laws of the State of California.
“(c) Participating in the operations of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or after January 20, 2025, demonstrates an immorality that California cannot afford to have in its ranks of peace officers whose duties include interacting with the public.”
Further according to the Bill Text, “…except as provided in subparagraph (B), any person previously employed as a sworn law enforcement officer or individual contractor, and personally engaged in immigration enforcement,” is “disqualified from holding office as a peace officer or being employed as a peace officer of the state, county, city, city and county, or other political subdivision, whether with or without compensation, and is disqualified from any office or employment by the state, county, city, city and county, or other political subdivision, whether with or without compensation, which confers upon the holder or employee the powers and duties of a peace officer.”
Subparagraph B (ii) reads, “‘Immigration enforcement’ includes any and all efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal civil immigration law, and also includes any and all efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal criminal immigration law that penalizes a person’s presence in, entry, or reentry to, or employment in, the United States.”
However, the bill “does not prohibit or restrict any governmental entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, federal immigration authorities information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an individual, or from requesting from federal immigration authorities immigration status information, lawful or unlawful, of any individual, or from maintaining or exchanging that information with any other federal, state, or local governmental entity.” That means existing law enforcement officers can cooperate with ICE within limits of California’s sanctuary state laws.
Assemblywoman Ávila Farías speaks about her bill, AB1627 on the Assembly Floor On May 27, 2026. Video screenshot source: CalMatters
Ávila Farías Comments About Bill, Signing by Governor
A press release issued earlier this year, after the State Assembly passed her bill, reads, “On the Assembly Floor, Assemblymember Ávila Farías emphasized that ICE enforcement has created fear across California—impacting both citizens and immigrants alike—and legislation is needed to proactively safeguard our communities and critical spaces.”
She is further quoted in a FOX11 Los Angeles report as saying in a statement, “California’s peace officers…must be guardians of constitutional rights, not participants in their erosion.” and “argued that participating in ICE operations during this period ‘demonstrates an immorality that California cannot afford to have in its ranks.’”
In her brief speech on the Assembly Floor on May 27th, Avila Farias said, “Communities are safer when we are policed by people who are committed to protecting the public rather than kidnapping them.”
During a presentation before the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety in April, she said, “Frankly, I don’t want my kids or anyone else’s counting on people who flaunt the rule of the law.” Ávila Farías also claimed, “this bill, does not have any legal issues, and challenges, because we’re simply doing a modest expansion of existing law in a way to protect our community members and holding the highest regard of what our law enforcement professionals. It also is not honing into the individuals that are doing their jobs to the letter of the law. This is protecting vulnerable community populations…”
She repeated her remarks before the state Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety in June saying, “AB 1627 ensures that immigration enforcement personnel are disqualified from becoming a peace officer in California if they have committed misconduct in their prior roles. This bill is about restoring public trust and holding federal law enforcement to the same standards as any other peace officer in California.”
About the governor signing her bill Ávila Farías said, “Our kids deserve role models in uniform, not individuals tied to fear and intimidation. AB 1627 is about accountability, integrity, and reducing harm before it happens. With the signing of the MELT ICE Act of 2026, California sends a clear message: Federal agents who have disregarded constitutional rights are not to be entrusted with peace enforcement roles in our state. Thank you, Governor Newsom, for your commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting our communities.”
Ávila Farías’ office issued a press release about the bill’s signing.
“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed my bill to prevent former ICE employees with documented histories of misconduct from becoming peace officers in California.
“AB 1627, the Misconduct Ends Law-Enforcement Trust Act of 2026, started with people in my community speaking up. One year ago, at a No Kings Rally in Concord, our community came together and spoke out about the fear many immigrant families were experiencing. That community activism helped inspire this legislation, and I am proud that their voices helped lead to meaningful change.
“AB 1627 was not written overnight. It was the result of many conversations, a lot of listening, and working with people who care deeply about public safety and accountability.
“At the heart of this bill is a simple principle: if someone has a documented history of misconduct, they should not be able to leave one agency and simply put on another uniform without accountability.
“I am honored and humbled to have played a part in creating one more barrier to prevent individuals who have abused their authority from becoming peace officers in California. This is about protecting public trust and making sure the people entrusted with a badge are held to a high standard.
“I want to thank Governor Newsom, my legislative colleagues, the community partners who stood with me, and the law-enforcement professionals who worked with us throughout this process. “This is what people power looks like. A community raised its voice, we listened, we worked together, and we turned that vision into law.
“AB 1627 takes effect January 1, 2027.”
Opposed by Statewide Police Organization
According to a report on MSN.com, “The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) has voiced opposition to the bill. ‘This bill is unnecessary, duplicative and it jeopardizes qualified immunity for California employees,’ stated David Mastagni on behalf of PORAC.
The report further claims, “Critics argue the measure represents ‘guilty by association’ and could worsen existing staffing shortages in California’s police departments and schools. According to data from PORAC, law enforcement agencies throughout California have lost over 3,300 sworn officers since 2020, with an average of 10% of policing roles remaining unfilled.”
Could Be Challenged in Court, Deemed Unconstitutional
However, the new law could be ruled unconstitutional if challenged in court as questions have arisen whether the state can legally enforce a lifetime ban on a specific class of former federal employees without violating federal labor protections or constitutional due process.
According to a report by iHeart Radio in February, “Legal experts question whether California can legally enforce a lifetime ban on a specific class of federal employees without violating federal labor protections or constitutional due process rights.”
Inclusion of the “immorality” clause could give further basis for a court challenge.
You agreed on the price. Have you agreed on the meetup?
Buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or another online platform? Plan the exchange before you leave home.
Antioch Police Department has a designated Exchange Zone in our main parking lot at 300 L Street. Look for the posted sign.
A few practical tips for BOTH buyers and sellers:
Don’t follow a last-minute location change. “Come around the corner” or “meet my friend somewhere else” changes the arrangement. You can cancel or reschedule—even if you’ve already driven there.
Buyers: Check the item, not just the box. Open the packaging, compare the model and accessories with the listing, and test it before paying. For electronics, agree on how you’ll test them before meeting.
Sellers: A payment screenshot isn’t proof. If accepting an electronic payment, open your own app to check it. Don’t rely on their screen, an email, or a link they send. Never share a verification code.
Set the terms before the trip. Agree on the price, payment method, who’s meeting, and what’s included. Meet during daylight and bring another adult when possible.
Keep a record. Save the listing, seller or buyer profile, and messages before the meetup. Keep communication in the platform.
You don’t owe anyone a completed sale. Pressure to rush, skip inspection, or change the plan is a reason to pause.
The Exchange Zone does not guarantee safety. City employees cannot serve as official witnesses, authenticate items, or settle civil disputes.
Save this for your next meetup—or send it to someone who buys and sells online.
Cops will be on, provide extra patrols in and around campus today
By Antioch Police Department
The Antioch Police Department is aware of messages and rumors circulating regarding a possible act of violence at Antioch High School today.
We are working closely with Antioch High School administrators and school security and are actively investigating the information that has been reported. At this time, we have no information that supports the rumor.
As a precaution, Antioch Police officers will be present at the school today, and officers will conduct additional patrols in and around the campus. We will remain in close communication with school officials throughout the day.
We understand that messages like these can be concerning for students, families, and staff. We ask everyone to rely on information from official school and Antioch Police Department sources and to avoid sharing unverified rumors or screenshots on social media.
See something, say something. If you have firsthand information, screenshots, messages, or other specific information that may assist the investigation, please contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Please call 9-1-1 for an immediate threat or emergency.
Our Dispatch Center is receiving a high volume of calls regarding this situation. If you do not have new information to report or need police assistance, please monitor official school and Antioch Police Department channels for updates rather than calling Dispatch for a status update.
We will provide additional information if there are significant developments.
Join us for our upcoming Community Violence Forum, a space for community members to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas about violence in our community. Your voice can help shape conversations and efforts toward creating a safer Antioch for everyone.
Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil and the survey inside water bill. Source: APD video screenshots.
In partnership with Cal State East Bay
“Your feedback is important to us.” – Chief Joe Vigil
By Antioch Police Department
The Antioch Police Department’s Community Survey is now open from September 10 through November 9.
In a video posted on the Department’s Facebook on Thursday, Chief Joe Vigil said, “Every day our department works hard to keep you and the community safe. But we are constantly and always looking at ways to improve how we can better serve you. That’s why we’ve partnered with a local college to put out a community survey, because your feedback is important to us. We want to hear about what you’re seeing in the city, what you’re seeing in your neighborhoods and ways that we can improve.”
“We’ll be advertising the survey at our monthly and bi-weekly Neighborhood Watch meetings, community meetings and city council meetings,” he continued. “A mailer will also go out in this month’s water bill with all the information on how to participate in the survey.”
“The survey is completely anonymous and does not ask you to provide any personal information,” Vigil stated. “Because your feedback is important to us, we want to hear how we can better improve and serve the city and the department.”
“The survey will remain open for 60 days. So, please when you see the survey, participate because your feedback is important to us,” he concluded.
Source: APD video screenshots
The survey asks about your experiences with police services, how safe you feel in Antioch, and the public safety issues that matter most to you. The survey is anonymous and was developed with California State University East Bay professors and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
According to the California Center for Data Insights and Innovation, “the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects serves as the institutional review board (IRB) for the California Health and Human Services Agency to ensure that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and with minimal risk to participants.”
Asked about the process, Lt. Dan Fachner said, “It took six months to put the survey together and certify it through the state’s IRB. That allows us to publish it as a survey, if we ever want to do that, to ensure it is non-biased that we’re not trying to elicit or lead responses. It’s also so the average person that we send this to can understand it.”
“It’s probably about a 10-minute survey,” he continued. “I don’t know when we will issue the report. We don’t know a hard date, right now. The researchers I worked with said if we want to get the survey completed by the end of the year, we needed to do it before the holidays.”
Your feedback will help us understand what’s important to our community and where we can improve.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with your neighbors.
Scan the QR code included in the mailer inside the water bill or use this link bit.ly/3U8XAEd to participate.
By Lt. Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Division
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, shortly after 3:30 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to the 5100 block of Arroyo Way for a reported traffic collision involving a vehicle that struck two parked vehicles.
Officers arrived and located the driver and sole occupant, a 66-year-old man, unconscious inside the vehicle. Officers immediately began providing medical aid until Contra Costa County Fire Protection District personnel arrived. The driver was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit investigators responded to the scene and are investigating the collision. The identity of the man is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, Traffic Collision Investigator Officer Rollins at (925) 779-6900, ext. 87145, or by email at prollins@antiochca.gov.
This information was provided by the Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Hold 2027-28 General Fund Budget Study Session to address projected $15.2 million deficit
Closed Session on employee group contracts, 9 potential lawsuits
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Antioch City Council will vote on a one-year MOU with the Antioch Police Officers Association at a cost of $661,000, purchasing AI-assisted automated license plate recognition, in-car camera and integrated public safety technology systems for the police department at a cost of $662,000, additional handheld two-way radios for APD emergency communications at a cost of $300,000, spending $500,000 on Sycamore Drive Traffic Calming Improvements, expanding the contract for the monitoring consultant required by the USDOJ’s Allen Settlement Agreement at a cost of $150,000 and appoint one member to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
The Council will also receive the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report from the police department and an Investment Performance Review presented by the City’s advisors, FM Asset Management, and hold a public hearing on the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
Closed Session
Prior to the Regular Meeting that begins at 7:00 p.m., the Council will hold a Closed Session at 3:30 PM for a Conference with Labor Negotiators to discuss contracts for the Antioch Public Works Employee Association (APWEA), Antioch Police Sworn Management Association (APSMA), Confidential Unit, and Management Unit and a Conference with Legal Counsel for “significant exposure to litigation” as the City faces nine potential cases.
Antioch General Fund 2026-27 adjusted Budget and 2027-28 Projected Budget. Source: City of Antioch
2027-28 General Fund Budget Study Session
Then at 5:30 p.m. the Council will hold a Special Meeting Budget Study Session to discuss the Fiscal Year 2027-28 General Fund Budget Development. Acting City Manager Ana Cortez and Finance Director Dawn Merchant say the City’s consultant is projecting a decrease in sales tax revenue of $700,000 to $1.68 million for this Fiscal Year.
According to their report for Item SM-1 on the agenda, “even with the extensive work that was done (on the FY 2026-27 budget), we still did not manage to completely close the 2026-27 spending gap, and the forecast provided in June 2026 for 2027-28 was daunting, at almost $15M.
“Detrimental decreases to our sales tax budgets from the latest projections from our consultant…projecting the City’s fiscal year 2026-27 regular sales tax to decline $1,139,000, and Measure W to decline $538,000, carrying this decrease into fiscal year 2027-28. However, these projections are based only through the first quarter reporting of calendar year 2026 reporting and will be further evaluated after the next sales tax quarter. We are recommending to be cautiously optimistic for fiscal year 2026-27 at this juncture and project only a $500,000 decrease in regular sales tax and $200,000 in Measure W, carrying that corresponding reduction into 2027-28.”
In addition, the “3% COLA recently approved for the APOA bargaining unit ($745,667 FY28 impact”…and “reduction of $1.2M in projected contribution to HomeKey+ project with City Council rejection of the grant…as a result…the projected 2027-28 deficit spending has increased slightly to $15.2M.”
3% Pay Raise for Antioch Police Officers
Under Item 6.I. on the Consent Calendar, the Council will vote on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Antioch and the Antioch Police Officers’ Association that will include a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Fiscal Year 2026-27 at a cost of $661,430 and other matters.
At their meeting on July 28, 2026, the council approved a tentative agreement. Staff then prepared the MOU to replace the agreement and require another vote by the council.
As reported, the previous Tentative Agreement covered the period of Sept. 1, 2021 – Aug. 31, 2025.
In addition to the 3% COLA, the Tentative Agreement includes the following:
Increase to four floating holidays in a calendar year.
Travel meal reimbursement increase to $25.00 for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Lateral Police Officer and Dispatcher new hire vacation credit of one week upon employment.
Plus, increases to the uniform allowance, adjustments to benefits, retirement and vacation, sick leave and bereavement leave language defined and/or updated, as well as updates to the department’s grievance procedure.
Purchase Police Department AI-Assisted Integrated Technology Systems
Under agenda Item 9, the Council will consider the purchase of automated license plate recognition (ALPR), in-car camera and integrated public safety technology systems. The vote will be to approve a sole source agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for 55 fixed automated license plate recognition (ALPR) locations using Axon Outpost, six additional Axon Fleet 3 in-car video and mobile ALPR systems, and 120 Axon AI Assistant licenses for the Police Department, for a 49-month term beginning October 1, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $661,687.54.
Funding for FY 2026-27 has been identified within the existing Police Department General Fund budget; payments in future fiscal years will remain subject to the annual budget process.
ALPR helps officers and investigators identify vehicles associated with shootings, robberies, burglaries, stolen vehicles, hit-and-run collisions, organized theft, missing persons, illegal sideshows, and other serious incidents.
According to the City staff report, “the Department currently operates fixed ALPR cameras through Motorola and Flock. Motorola is decommissioning its ALPR platform, and the proposed purchase would replace and consolidate the two fixed systems into a single Axon network while expanding fixed coverage. APD already uses Axon Body 4 cameras, Axon Fleet in-car cameras, and Axon Evidence as its primary digital evidence environment.”
Purchase 30 More Police Dep’t Handheld Two-Way Radios for Emergency Communications
Under Item 6.G. of the Consent Calendar the Council will consider purchasing additional handheld two-way radios for the police department’s emergency communications. The vote will be to adopt a resolution authorizing the sole source purchase of 30 Motorola APX N70 handheld two-way emergency radios, including accessories and five years of subscriber and device management services, from Motorola Solutions in an amount not to exceed $300,717.21.
City of Antioch Service & Water System Map.
Public Hearing on 2025 Urban Water Management Plan & Water Shortage Contingency Plan
During the regular meeting the council will hold a Public Hearing on the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. According to the City staff report for Item 7 on the agenda, he Urban Water Management Plan (“UWMP”) Act requires all urban water suppliers serving municipal water to 3,000 customers, or supplying more than 3,000 acre-feet annually, to adopt and submit an UWMP every five years to the Department of Water Resources (“DWR”). The City of Antioch provided 5,311 million gallons (16,298 acre-feet) of potable water for municipal purposes to 34,739 connections in 2025 and thus is required to comply with the requirements of the UWMP Act and prepare an UWMP.
The City’s water supply consists primarily of surface water diverted from the San Joaquin River and water purchased from Contra Costa Water District (CCWD). Untreated surface water from the San Joaquin River is pumped to the City’s Municipal Reservoir, where it is stored prior to treatment at the City’s WTP. This untreated surface water may also be routed to the Brackish Water Desalination Plant (BWDP).
The Capital Improvement Budget includes adequate funding for the development of the Urban Water Management Plan from the Water Enterprise Fund. Compliance with the current provisions of the Urban Water Management Plan Act is expected to result in no fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund.
Traffic Calming Devices and their locations in one of eight segments planned for Sycamore Drive. Source: City of Antioch
Sycamore Drive Traffic Calming Improvements
Under Item 6.H. on the Consent Calendar, the council will consider awarding a construction agreement to the lowest, responsive, and responsible bidder, Martinez-based Cowan & Thompson Construction, Inc. in the amount of $488,511.94, with a $25,000 contingency for a total contract amount of $513,511.94 for the Sycamore Drive Traffic Calming Improvements Project.
According to the City staff report, the FY 2026/27 Capital Improvement Budget includes $425,000 of Gas Tax funding for the project. Approval will increase the allocation by $89,000. The projected June 30th balance of Gas Tax funds with this amendment is projected to be $1,014,298.
The devices will be placed in eight segments along the street and will include signs and raised traffic separator curb guidance systems with quick release delineator bases.
See Project plans for all planned traffic calming device locations on Sycamore Drive.
Under agenda Item 8 the Council will vote on appoint Dr, Loretta Ezeife to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a full-term vacancy expiring March 2030. According to her application, she has lived in Antioch since 2008 and works as the Accounting Officer for the University of the Pacific in Stockton, “with over 25 years of experience overseeing financial operations across private industry, public agencies, and higher education.”
Meeting Details
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown and can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.
See the complete agenda packet with staff reports here.
