Will serve as Deputy Chief for city of 236,000 beginning in early October

By Allen Payton

Just four years and three months after being hired in May 2017 as Antioch’s top cop, Police Chief Tammany Brooks has accepted a position with the Boise, Idaho Police Department as the new Deputy Chief, according to a press release issued on Thurday, August. 26.

Boise, with a population estimated at 235,684 as of 2020, is about double the size of Antioch.

The press release reads:

“The Boise Police Department is proud to announce the hiring of Deputy Chief Tammany Brooks.  Brooks was selected after a nationwide search and was one of many highly qualified candidates who applied for the job.  The interview process included community members, the Boise Police Union, as well as officers, civilian police employees, and others from the City of Boise leadership team.

“Deputy Chief Tammany Brooks is a highly accomplished and experienced leader, current police chief, family man, and community partner.  We look forward to his arrival in Boise and for the chance to introduce him to our community,” said Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee.

Deputy Chief Tammany Brooks comes to Boise with 26 years of law enforcement experience.  During his time as Police Chief in Antioch, California his priorities included creating a positive culture and environment for members of the Antioch Police Department, strengthening the relationship between the Antioch Police Department and the people it serves, and working to make Antioch a safe community for all.  He is also the Executive Director for the Antioch Police Activities League overseeing programs and events that have served more than one thousand children within the community.

“My wife and I visited Boise for the first time, last September,” said Deputy Chief Brooks. “Two things immediately caught our attention: the natural beauty of the Treasure Valley, and how incredibly friendly, warm, and welcoming people were. Within a matter of days, we knew this was where we wanted to call home.”

Deputy Chief Brooks was a high school dropout when he started his career as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department in 1995. While working and raising a family, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in Leadership from Saint Mary’s College.  He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.

“Chief Brooks’ humble personality, strong values, and track record of building successful relationships with officers and his community make him a great addition to our department and our community,” said Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee.

Deputy Chief Brooks has been married to his wife Michele for 28 years, and they have three adult sons.  In his spare time, he enjoys Crossfit, bowling, golf, and RVing.  He says he is honored to serve the men and women of the Boise Police Department, and everyone who lives, works, and plays in the great City of Boise. His start date is expected to be sometime in early October.”

Brooks was in Boise on Friday and available for a short meet and greet and/or interview at 3:30 pm, according to the press release. He will also be available for media interviews after his official start date.

District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica shared his comments about Brooks’ departure.

“This is such a loss to our community. He’s had a long career where’s he has served the City of Antioch and done an outstanding job and I’m very sorry to see him go” Barbanica shared. “However, I do absolutely wish him the very best in retirement from the City of Antioch and in his new position as Deputy Chief of Boise, Idaho.”

On Friday, August 27th, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker offered her congratulations to the chief on his new position in a post on her official Facebook page.

“Forgive the delay in my public response to the transition of Chief Brooks.

First I want to congratulate Chief Brooks on his new position as Deputy Chief in Boise Idaho and thank him for his years of service to the City of Antioch as a public safety servant and native.

Four years ago I met Chief Brooks for the first time at a clean slate event at Antioch middle school helping disenfranchised residents get their records cleared for second chances. This day I learned he believed in second chances and came out to show his support for the event. I regret that we didn’t get to build the kind of relationship that we were both hoping for and I wish him all the best.

I stepped into this position looking forward to working with a progressive Chief that was ready to bring Antioch’s police department into the 21st century and I believe it can still be done. There is so much more work that needs to be done to reimagine Public Safety in the city of Antioch and I’m looking forward to working with the next best person for the job.”

Antioch supporters of Brooks are planning a farewell celebration for him.

Efforts to reach Brooks, Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal, the mayor and the other council members were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

By Sergeant Ted Chang, Traffic Unit, Antioch Police Department

On Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at approximately 5:30 am, Antioch Police Dispatch received a call of a vehicle versus a pedestrian. Police and medical personnel responded immediately and located a 39-year-old Antioch resident nonresponsive and suffering major injuries. Officers discovered the pedestrian was a subject riding an ATV on Wilbur Avenue near Viera Avenue.

Life saving measures were attempted but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The ATV rider was not wearing a helmet and appeared to be in the middle of the roadway.

The driver of the involved vehicle remained on scene and was cooperating with the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision. The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit responded and took over the investigation.

Wilbur was closed between Minaker Drive and Viera Lane and traffic was rerouted in the area. The road was reopened about 10:30 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Antioch Police Department

Please join us in welcoming Officer Shawn Marques to the Antioch Police Department family!

Shawn was born in Oakland and raised in Hayward. Shawn attended Hayward High School. After graduating, Shawn attended Wyotech trade school in Fremont where he received a diploma in Automotive Technology. Shawn went on to become an automotive technician, reached journeyman level and eventually promoted to fleet service manager. Shawn knew he wanted to become Police Officer at the young age of 7 and decided to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. Shawn was hired by the Stockton Police Department where he attended the Tulare-Kings Police academy. During his employment with the Stockton Police Department, Shawn joined the Canine Support Team (CST) as a K9 agitator. One of Shawn’s duties on CST was to put on a bite suit or bite sleeve and take K9 bites. During his free time, Shawn enjoys hunting, fishing, playing softball, riding dirt bikes, and wake boarding. Shawn also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Fun Fact:

Shawn played keyboard in a band at a young age and was able to play a song just by listening to it.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at about 4:20 PM, Delta Station deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 10200 block of Brentwood Boulevard in unincorporated Brentwood.

Upon arrival, deputies located two gunshot victims in front of the residence. Both subjects were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Another subject with gunshot wounds was also located on the property and was pronounced deceased.

None of the subjects are being identified at this time. Homicide detectives and crime lab personnel are on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592to leave an anonymous voice message.

By Allen Payton

In spite of the recent County Coroner’s Inquest Jury finding that the death of Angelo Quinto in December was not the result of a knee-to-neck restraint by Antioch Police Officers, the Antioch City Council will discuss adopting a resolution on banning the use of police officer restraints, Tuesday night. (See related article)

According to the staff report, “It is recommended that the City Council adopt the resolution directing the City Manager and the City Attorney to work with the Chair of the Police Oversight Standing Committee (of the entire city council) and the Antioch Police Department to develop a policy that protects members of the public involved in law enforcement incidents by identifying and prohibiting the use of Police Officer restraints, holds, tactics and maneuvers that pose a substantial risk of positional asphyxiation, potentially resulting in unconsciousness or death.” The item is #6 on the agenda.

In addition, at the request of Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who held a press conference about the matter, last week, the council will consider requiring all city employees get vaccinated for COVID or be required to be tested each week.

The council begins at 7:00 p.m. following closed session discussions beginning at 4:00 p.m, including a legal matter with the Quinto family and an employee performance evaluation of City Manager Ron Bernal.

Members of the public seeking to observe the meeting may do so at https://www.antiochca.gov/live_stream, on Comcast Channel 24, or AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.

Public Comments

Members of the public wishing to provide public comment may do so one of the following ways (#2 pertains to the Zoom Webinar):

1. Fill out an online speaker card by 3:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting located at:

2. Provide oral public comments during the meeting by clicking the following link to register in advance to access the meeting via Zoom Webinar: https://www.antiochca.gov/speakers

– You will be asked to enter an email address and a name. Your email address will not be disclosed to the public. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to the meeting.

– When the Mayor announces public comments, click the “raise hand” feature in Zoom. For instructions on using the “raise hand” feature in Zoom, visit:

https://www.antiochca.gov/raise_hand. When calling into the meeting using the Zoom Webinar telephone number, press *9 on your telephone keypad to “raise your hand”. Please ensure your Zoom client is updated so staff can enable your microphone when it is your turn to speak.

3. Email comments to cityclerk@ci.antioch.ca.us by 3:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting. The comment will be read into the record at the meeting (350 words maximum, up to 3 minutes, at the discretion of the Mayor). IMPORTANT: Identify the agenda item in the subject line of your email if the comment is for Announcement of Community Events, Public Comment, or a specific Agenda Item number. No one may speak more than once on an agenda item or during “Public Comments”.

All emails received by 3:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting will be entered into the record

for the meeting.

Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced on Friday, August 20,2021 that a coroner’s jury reached a finding in the December 26, 2020 death of 30-year-old Angelo Voithugo Quinto of Antioch. The finding of the jury is that the death was an accident.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

According to a KTVU News report, Quinto “succumbed to excited delirium and prescription drugs during the physical altercation with officers, the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office ruled Friday.”

Quinto’s death occurred three days after Antioch Police were called to his residence by family members, claiming he was attacking them. Angelo’s sister placed the call telling police Angelo was strangling their mom, and the mother was not breathing. The sister told police Angelo took drugs. The sister had a hammer in her hands, which her brother had taken from her at one point, but she was able to get it back.

His mother claimed an officer placed his knee on Quinto’s neck and to have video of it, but that was unsubstantiated. According to both the police and coroner’s reports, the police did apply a usual knee to the back restraint in order to handcuff Quinto. (See related articles here and here)

“At one point, during the handcuffing, for a few seconds an officer did have his knee across Angelo’s shoulder blade…taught at police academies for prone handcuffing,” Antioch Police Chief T Brooks said during a press conference on the incident.

According to a Dec. 24 email between then-Acting Chief Trevor Scnhitzius and Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore, “Officers responded to a family disturbance service call where the caller reported the subject was hurting another family member. Upon arrival, officers determined the 30 year old male resident was experiencing a mental episode. The resident was restrained in handcuffs for everyone’s safety due to his non-cooperative behavior and was to be sent for a mental health evaluation pursuant to W/I 5150. An ambulance was summoned to the residence and while awaiting the ambulance’s arrival, the subject lost consciousness.”

The Quinto family attorney claimed the police failed to turn on their body and police car dash cameras, however the department did not have them at the time.

Quinto was a U.S. Navy veteran.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

According to neighbor who contacted the police and the Herald, a drive-by shooting occurred in Southeast Antioch on Wednesday afternoon, August 4, 2021. “Eight shots were fired. Someone screamed out that someone was bleeding,” said the neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous. “Things like this are regularly happening in our town.”

Antioch Police Sgt. Brian Rose confirmed the report on Friday night stating, “at about 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 4 we received numerous reports of shots fired in the 5000 block of Union Mine Drive. We arrived and we located several shell casings and developed information by looking at video surveillance from neighbors’ security cameras. What that showed us was there was some type of argument in front of a home. Someone came out of a home on that street with a handgun and fired multiple rounds at the victim.

We identified the shooter. He’s a 19-year-old male. The victim is a 28-year-old male. The story we got was this ongoing feud between the victim and the suspect’s family. As the victim was being fired upon, he ran across the street. The shooter chased after him and continued shooting. The victim was shot twice.

The victim’s girlfriend, who was there, helped the victim into a car and drove him to Kaiser Deer Valley. He was Life-flighted to another area hospital. As of Wednesday, he was in serious but stable condition. We haven’t received any information that he’s going to die. So, we expect him to recover.”

“The shooter was arrested, and the DA was expected to file charges of attempted murder as soon earlier, today,” Rose added.

Today, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is sharing important tips for consumers to avoid rental scams.

What is a rental scam?

Scammers will list properties for rent online (i.e., Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace) even though they do not own them or have authority to rent them out. The scammer will attempt to have a prospective renter wire transfer or demand cash payment for the lease and or deposit, by claiming they can rent it but are not available to show it now.

Different kinds of rental scams

• Knockoff listings: When searching for properties be on the lookout for listings that have been copied and pasted from a legitimate listing but then offered at a low price.
• Illegal sublets: A scammer has obtained access to a listed property and begins to show the unit as if the unit is their own property or have authority to rent out.
• Ghost rentals: Scammers will list properties that are not for rent or do not exist and try to lure a victim in with a promise of low rent and great amenities. Their goal is to get the victims money before they find out.

Identifying scams

• Scammers will request a wire transfer for a first month’s rent, security deposit, application fees or vacation rental fees if applicable as a wire transfer. Please note, a wire transfer is equivalent to handing over cash.
• The scammer will request funds prior to signing the lease or viewing the property with the excuse that the property is in high demand, adding an urgency to the transaction. The scammer will claim to have a list of other possible renters who are also interested in the property.
• Scammer will claim they are out of the country by alleging they have an agent or lawyer working on their behalf.

Tips to avoid rental scams

• Verify who owns the unit or building. To ensure that the person renting the unit is the legitimate owner or property manager, do an online search or visit the Contra Costa County Recorder’s office. The Contra Costa County Recorder’soffice is located at 555 Escobar St, Martinez CA 94553.
• Conduct an Internet search using a search engine such as Google or Bing by entering in the listed address, agent or alleged homeowners name, email and phone number. Be suspicious of images that may be generated from Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS is a service realtor’s frequently use to list properties for prospective buyers. Scammers will crop and adjust these photos for their own use in fraudulent their ads.
• Legitimate landlords will arrange a tour of the interior of the property without excuse or hesitation. Before any money is exchanged, the landlord will take in an application to do a background check.
• Landlords will usually accept a personal check, a cashier’s check or money order for the first month’s rent and security deposit.
• Never provide an advance payment, money is usually not exchanged until a legitimate lease is signed. Do not agree to pay anything in cash or via wire transfer.
• Be wary of giving your personal information until you verify the leasing party before any personal information is given.
• Ask detailed questions about the unit, application and move in dates/process. Scammers do not want to answer detailed questions because they are only after the initial deposit. In doing so they will end communication or ignore the questions or answers will contain strange grammar.
• If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is!

¿Qué es una estafa de alquiler?

Un estafador enumera propiedades para alquiler en línea (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) aunque no sean dueños de la propiedad ni tengan autoridad para alquilarlas. El estafador intentará enganchar un posible inquilino en que realice una transferencia bancaria o exigir pago en efectivo para el arrendamiento o depósito, aportando que puede y tiene autoridad de alquilarlo, pero no está disponible para mostrarlo en este momento.

Diferentes tipos de estafas de alquiler

• Listados de imitación: Cuando busque propiedades, esté atento a los listados que se hayan copiado y pegado de un listado legítimo, pero que luego se ofrezcan a un precio bajo.
• Subarrendamientos ilegales:un estafador ha obtenido acceso a una propiedad que figura en la lista y comienza a mostrarla como si fuera su propia propiedad o tuviera autoridad para alquilarla.
• Alquilares Inexistentes: el estafador listara listados de las propiedades que no están para alquiler o que no existen y tratará de atraer a la víctima con la promesa de un alquiler bajo y comodidades increibles. El objetivo es de estafar la victima antes de que se enteren que el trato es fraudulento.

Como identificar estafas

Los estafadores solicitarán una transferencia bancaria para el primer mes de el alquiler, depósito de seguridad y otros cobros relacionados con el alquiler. Tenga en cuenta que una transferencia bancaria equivale a entregar dinero en efectivo.

El estafador solicitará fondos antes de firmar el contrato de arrendamiento o antes de poder ver la propiedad con la excusa de que la propiedad tiene gran demanda, agregando una urgencia en la transacción. El estafador afirmará tener una lista de otros posibles inquilinos que también están interesados ​​en la propiedad.

El estafador afirmará que está fuera del país alegando que tiene un agente o abogado trabajando en su nombre.

Consejos para evitar estafas de alquiler

Verifique quién es el propietario de la unidad o el edificio. Para asegurarse de que la persona que alquila la unidad es el propietario legítimo o el administrador de la propiedad, realice una búsqueda en línea o visite las oficinas de registradores del condado. La oficina del registrador del condado de Contra Costa está ubicada en 555 Escobar St, Martinez CA 94553.

https://www.ccclerkrec.us/clerk/

Realice una búsqueda por internet utilizando búscador como Google o Bing ingresando la dirección, el correo electrónico, el número de teléfono y el supuesto agente o propietario de la casa que figuran en la lista. Sospeche de las imágenes que puedan generarse a partir de Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS es un servicio que agentes de bienes raíces utilizan con frecuencia para publicar propiedades para posibles compradores. Los estafadores recortan y ajustan estas fotos para su propio uso en sus anuncios fraudulentos.

Los propietarios legítimos organizara un recorrido por el interior de la propiedad sin excusa ni vacilación. Antes de que intercambie el dinero, un arrendador legitimo presentará una solicitud para realizar una verificación de antecedentes.

Los propietarios generalmente aceptarán un cheque personal, un cheque de caja o un giro postal por el primer meses de alquiler y depósito de seguridad.

Nunca proporcione un pago por adelantado, el dinero generalmente no se intercambia hasta que se firma un contrato de arrendamiento legítimo. No acepte pagar nada en efectivo o mediante transferencia bancaria.

Tenga cuidado de no dar su información personal a un estafador que pretende tener un contrato de arrendamiento legítimo, asegúrese de verificar la parte del arrendamiento antes de proporcionar cualquier información personal.

Haga preguntas detalladas sobre la unidad, la solicitud, las fechas de mudanza y el proceso de mudanza, etc. Los estafadores no quieren responder a preguntas detalladas porque están de tras del depósito inicial. Al hacerlo, terminarán la comunicación, ignorarán las preguntas o las respuestas contendrán gramática extraña.

Si un trato es demasiado bueno para ser verdad, ¡por lo general lo es!