By John Crowder

At the October 28 meeting of the Antioch City Council, a presentation on Measure C was given by Tammany Brooks, Field Services Division Captain of the Antioch Police Department (APD) and Michelle Fitzer, Administrative Services Director for the City of Antioch. That presentation, suggesting there has been significant improvement in police officer staffing, represented as an increase of almost 20%, has now been called into question.

In the city’s October 27 news release about the report, Mayor Wade Harper stated “There has been a lot of misinformation being spread around about what the City is doing with the funds from Measure C, so it’s nice to have the indisputable facts in this Status Report that clearly demonstrate my colleagues and I have kept the promises we made to the community.”

Then, just prior to the presentation at the meeting, Harper stated that a lot of information people had been receiving lately about Measure O were, “flat out lies,” in response to campaign mailers sent out by the No on Measure O committee.

It was presumed the presentation by Brooks and Fitzer would correct the record.

Less than two days after the article about the city council meeting was posted online on the Antioch Herald website, however, resident Rich Buongiorno commented on it, providing statistics which cast doubt on the veracity of the statements made during the meeting.

Buongiorno has been leading a recall effort against Harper, specifically for what he considers Harper’s lack of action to adequately address the city’s crime problem.

In his on-line comments, which can be viewed here, Buongiorno stated that the Contra Costa Times reported APD sworn staffing in the latter part of 2013 was 83 in an August 16 article, 85 in an October 15 article, and 84 in a November 27 article. Brooks and Fitzer said during their presentation that the number was 76 in October of 2013. Buongiorno contends that the presentation given at the council meeting provided a lower starting number in order to mislead the public into believing the percentage increase in sworn officers was much greater than has actually occurred.

The November, 2013 Chief’s report, which can be viewed, here, under Current Staffing Levels Sworn Positions it shows a figure of “73 Full-Duty Officers,” as compared to 74 full-duty officers in July, 2013.

A look at the reports provided to the Antioch City Council by the APD regarding staffing levels over the last two years lends support to the claims made by Buongiorno. Indeed, they could be read as even more damning than he suggests.

Quarterly reports given by APD to the city council, which can all be found on the city’s website by looking at the agenda for the meetings at which reports were given, state that the sworn staffing levels were as follows:

11/13/2012 86

2/12/2013 88

4/23/2013 92

7/30/2013 84 sworn, 74 full-duty

11/26/2013 84 sworn, 73 full-duty

1/28/2014 81

4/22/2014 86

7/22/2014 88

10/21/2014 91

Based on the numbers given during the presentations, APD sworn staff has still not returned to the high of 92 shown for April 23, 2013. Even the most generous interpretation of the number given, from January to October of this year, only shows an increase of 12.3%, not the 19.6% touted by city staff.

In an interview conducted on November 3, Buongiorno said that, since commenting on the Herald article, “I delved even further into the mystery numbers provided by the City of Antioch.” He also said that he has now incorporated data from the city manager reports into his analysis.

“What is significant,” he said, “is that if they are indicating a sworn staffing level of 88, the ‘boots on the street’ level is far below that. With anywhere from 10-15 officers on leave, for whatever reason, that only leaves somewhere between 73 and 78 sworn officers on the street.”

“We simply don’t have enough people fighting crime,” Buongiorno concluded.

The Herald contacted city staff, including Fitzer and City Manager Steve Duran, along with APD Chief Allan Cantando and Mayor Harper on Monday night, via email, asking for an explanation of the discrepancy. Fitzer responded on Tuesday morning stating “We will research your questions and get back to you.”

When no response was received, Herald staff contacted them again on Thursday afternoon. Duran responded, about an hour later, that Fitzer was working on it.

“Michelle is trying to reconcile discrepancies between the payroll system number, which was lower than another number that had been previously reported. Logically, at least one of the numbers was incorrect,” he said, “and we want to make certain that we have the correct number before giving it out.”

“We will get you a number as soon as it is certain,” he added.

When asked about his previous comments about the “indisputable facts” on police staffing and if he had checked their numbers, Harper responded, “I leave the details up to staff to present to us. My goal is to make sure all the money goes to police and code enforcement, so we can be a safer city. The numbers continue to be a moving target. But, I trust staff to do their best to provide accurate information.”

For now the discrepancy remains unresolved. However, Harper confirmed that Cantando is expected to make a presentation to the City Council at their next meeting on Thursday, November 13, about the use of the Measure C funds and police staffing.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

This morning, (11/8/14) at approximately 2:25 AM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a request for a welfare check of a male possibly sleeping on the sidewalk on the corner of Grassland Way and Whitehoof Way. The officers arrived to find the adult male victim unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. The 36-year-old victim was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical responders.

This case is being investigated as a shooting homicide by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau. We are in the preliminary stages of the investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Det. Meads with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6884. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Tom Fuhrmann, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau Sergeant

On Thursday, November 6, 2014 at approximately 11:33 AM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot of the Somersville Towne Center, in front of the 24 Hour Fitness at 2632 Somersville Road. The officers arrived to find the 33-year-old adult male victim from Pittsburg, incapacitated from apparent gunshot wounds.

According to other news reports, the man was shopping in the mall with his brother. As they were leaving the mall, near the health club, a blue car drove by and multiple rounds were fired.

Life saving measures were implemented at the scene, but paramedics were unable to revive the victim and he subsequently died at the scene.

This case is being investigated by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau. They are in the preliminary stages of the investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Det. McManus with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6940. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

It was the third shooting in four days in Antioch and the city’s seventh homicide this year, according to statistics on the Antioch Police Department’s website, which can be viewed here.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

According to witnesses, a security guard was shot, today, near the Starbucks in the Grocery Outlet shopping center, located at A and 18th Streets.

According to one business owner in the center, who prefered to remain anonymous, the security guard, Linzy Gordon, got caught in cross fire between two gangs shooting at each other. He was hit in the back of the arm and shoulder and was in surgery at about 4:35 p.m.

UPDATE: According to a press release by Corporal William Dee, Patrol Division of the Antioch Police Department, received by the Herald, Wednesday evening:

At 2:09 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, officers were dispatched to the area of A Street and W. 18th Street for a report of shots fired with at least one person shot. As officers arrived, witnesses provided descriptions of the suspect. The suspect was soon detained a short distance away and was found to be in possession of a firearm. That suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers at the scene also found a security guard had been struck once by gunfire. Based on information obtained during the investigation, it appears an argument at a nearby bus stop preceded the gunfire. An armed security guard observed this, drew his own weapon, and began to fire at the suspect.

During the exchange, the security guard was struck once and pulled into a nearby business. The security guard was taken to an area hospital and expected to make a full recovery. No other injuries were reported.

The case is under investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact the Antioch Police Department.

You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

 

By Acting Sergeant John Fortner, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Sunday, November 2, 2014, at 11:43 AM, Antioch Police responded to the intersection of West 18th and A Streets on the report of several gunshots heard in the area. Upon arrival officers located an adult female who had in fact been shot.

Witnesses reported to officers that a group of males were seen shooting at another group of males at the southeast corner of the intersection. A female victim who was standing across the intersection from the group was struck by a single gunshot. The female victim did not appear to be a part of either group.

Witnesses reported that a group of males ran eastbound on East 18th Street as the other group ran southbound on A Street. An area search was conducted and officers contacted a group of male subjects a short distance away from the scene. This group was determined to be the targets of the suspects who fled eastbound on East 18th Street, and they did not sustain any injuries.

The investigation led officers to make a vehicle stop in the area of Sunset Lane and Davison Drive. Consequently, one 17-year-old juvenile and two adult male suspects, 19-year-old Daniel Washington of Bay Point and 18-year-old Karmani Ely of Antioch, were taken into custody.

The female victim was transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The investigation into this incident is on-going.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Vanderpool at (925) 779-6988. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Acting Sergeant Mortimer, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, October 27, 2014 at approximately 3:00 PM, Antioch Police Department patrol officers responded to a residence in the 4600 block of Imperial Street on a report of a possible marijuana grow house. While on scene, patrol officers

found 39-year-old Lam Doan and 41-year-old Phong Ly, both San Jose residents, fleeing from the residence. Officers arrested Doan and Ly nearby and found the house was completely converted into an illicit, marijuana cultivation operation. Investigators were called and ultimately seized approximately 590 marijuana plants from the home.

The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Colley with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6922. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Acting Sgt. Mortimer Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 11:00 AM, the Antioch Police Department conducted an undercover operation at the Massage Center massage parlor in the 2400 block of Sycamore Drive. During the operation, an undercover officer paid for a massage and was solicited by 49-year-old Antioch resident Shuping Gao, during the massage, to pay for sexual acts. Gao was arrested on the prostitution charge and was sent to the Contra Costa County jail.

The undercover operation was conducted after receiving complaints regarding the suspicious activity at the business as well as advertisements from the business on local internet escort sites.

The investigation is ongoing, Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Acting Sgt. Mortimer with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6941. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

The City of Antioch has released a Status Report on the use of funds the City has received from Measure C, the half-cent sales tax passed by Antioch voters a year ago on November 5th. The Status Report is being mailed to all Antioch residents and a summary will be presented to the City Council by staff at the October 28th City Council Meeting.

Collection of Measure C funds began in April of 2014 and, as of October 15th, $1,706,336 of Measure C funds have been received. The Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee has been meeting regularly with the City’s Finance Director to ensure that Measure C funds are being spent as promised. Measure C sunsets in seven years.

City Manager Steve Duran said “Measure C has been a Godsend for the City of Antioch’s efforts to have a safer and cleaner community.” With approval of the 2014/15 budget, the Antioch City Council directed 100% of the projected $4,300,847 Measure C annual revenues to hiring and equipping more Police Officers, which is well in progress, and augmenting Code Enforcement services. The City allocated $4,111,947 to the Police Department and $188,900 to Code Enforcement for Fiscal year 2014-2015.

Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando noted “The passage of Measure C in November 2013 has enabled the Antioch Police Department to significantly increase our staffing and effectiveness. This is only possible because Measure C was passed by the citizens of Antioch.” Since October 31, 2013, the Antioch Police Department has expanded from 97 employees to 116 employees, a net increase of 19.6% (as of October 13, 2014). Sworn Personnel increased from 76 to 91, a net increase of 19.7%, in the same time period. Chief Cantando further stated “Our goal is to reach 97 sworn personnel by June 30, 2015 and 104 sworn personnel by June 30, 2016. That’s an increase of 28 sworn officers. We plan to bring on five new Police Officers in November, so we are well on our way to reaching our staffing goals.” Antioch’s crime statistics through September 30, 2014, show a 9.8% reduction in violent crime when compared to the same period last year.

Mayor Wade Harper stated “There has been a lot of misinformation being spread around about what the City is doing with the funds from Measure C, so it’s nice to have the indisputable facts in this Status Report that clearly demonstrate my colleagues and I have kept the promises we made to the community.”