$2.8 million for cameras, software, staffing for first five years; plus $381,000 for department integrated data software for first three years

“It’s a total game changer for us” – Antioch Police Chief T Brooks

By Allen Payton

After then-Mayor Wade Harper in June 2016 proposed the use of police body cameras, now with a majority of council members who have asked for them and car cameras, and as part of the current mayor’s Police Reform Month with support and no opposition from the public, during their Tuesday, March 9 meeting, the Antioch City Council will finally consider approving the purchase of police body-worn and car cameras, and software and hiring staff to support them. In addition, they will consider purchasing new software for the entire police department to integrate all their data.

“It’s a total game changer for us,” Antioch Police Chief T Brooks said when reached for comment. “Not only will it significantly improve our ability to move towards an intelligence-led, evidence-based model of policing, it will also help reduce costs and allow us to work more efficiently.”

Also, as part of the police reform proposals, and at the urging of Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson, the council will receive a presentation from Contra Costa County Health Services entitled Behavioral Health Community Crisis Response and provide staff with direction on whether to work with the county’s new program, as proposed by District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica, which begins in June, or have the city form their own mental health crisis response team. That will be instead of dispatching police officers to what are known as 5150 calls. Behavioral Health Community Crisis Response presentation

Camera Contracts & Costs

The five-year contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. to purchase the body worn and in-car camera hardware and operating system software and will cost about $1.4 million and will run from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026. An additional $15,000 will be spent on Evidence.com/CAD/RMS interface computer software from Mark 43. Finally, one Lead Police Records Technician and one Police Records Technician will need to be hired, at a total initial, annual cost of $263,819 for a total estimated five-year cost of $1.33 million.

The first-year costs for the Axon Enterprises camera software will be about $420,000, and a little more than $250,000 per year for each of the following four years. Axon body & dash cam presentation

Body Cams Can Take Video, Audio & Photos

According to the city staff report, the body worn cameras for 122 officers will cost $1,007,767.33 and they system is a singular unit that an officer will wear while on-duty. The camera is worn on the uniform and is forward facing. The camera can record video and audio, as well as capture still photographs. These cameras will upload content from the camera to Axon’s secure cloud-based storage system when they are docked for charging. The cameras will also include mounting hardware.

Two Cameras Per Car

According to the city staff report, the car camera system is composed of two cameras and will cost $414,341.55 for 49 vehicles. The front is mounted on the inside of the car and faces forward, capturing video. The second is mounted in the backseat area and records the backseat area of the car. Both cameras can record video and audio from inside the car and upload content to Axon’s secure cloud-based storage through the car’s mobile data computer hotspot. Police vehicles will also be outfitted with an interior and exterior antenna, modem, and hub for data.

Training Period Two to Eight Months

Axon can have the entire police department trained and using body worn cameras in as little as 60 days from the execution of the contract. The time for training and using vehicle cameras is expected to take six to eight months.

New Department Wide Software

In addition, the council will consider purchasing new police department software for agency-wide data integration into one platform for real-time decisions including from body and dash cams. The only company that offers it is Peregrine Technologies, requiring approval of a special, sole source purchase request by the council. The three-year purchase agreement for a software license will cost $127,000 annually for a total of $381,000. Peregrine Technologies presentation

In Contra Costa County, the same software is being used by Pittsburg and San Pablo Police Departments.

“Our complex and layered information sources now flow into one platform which can be easily understood by staff, partners, and community members alike. We now have an accessible visual representation of our entire department,” said San Pablo Police Captain Brian Bubar.

Tuesday’s regular council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and is available to watch via Comcast channel 24, AT&T U-verse channel 99, or live stream at www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/live/.

If you wish to provide a written public comment, you may do so any of the following ways by 5:00 p.m. the day of the Council Meeting: (1) Fill out an online speaker card, located at www.antiochca.gov/speaker_card, or (2) Email the City Clerk’s Department at cityclerk@ci.antioch.ca.us.

To provide oral public comments during the meeting, click the following link to register in advance to access the meeting via Zoom Webinar: https://www.antiochca.gov/speakers or by dialing (925) 776-3057. The City cannot guarantee that its network and/or the site will be uninterrupted. To ensure that the City Council receives your comments, you must submit your comments in writing by 5:00 p.m. the day of the City Council Meeting.

 

 

Both have previous arrest records; released from custody

By Brentwood Police Department

In the middle of the night……

Earlier this week one of our patrol officers was driving on Lone Tree Way and noticed a truck pulled over to the side of the road but still partially in the roadway, creating a safety hazard. The truck was empty.

While checking the truck’s registration a male called out to the officer from across the street. The male said the truck was his.

It was determined that the license plate and VIN didn’t match the truck. The male, 26-year-old Brandon Elder (Antioch) claimed he had a key for the truck. Well? That key worked but any key would have started the truck because the ignition had been tampered with. The vehicle was determined to be stolen!

Elder was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, felony probation violation and given a ride to county jail.

According to localcrimenews.com, Elder has had three other run-ins with the law, this year. He was arrested on Jan. 18 by Vallejo Police for driving with a suspended license and on Jan. 30 for possession of narcotics/controlled substance. Then on Feb. 17, Elder was arrested by San Francisco Police for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

A few hours later, the same officer saw something else that was strange. It was about 1:30 in the morning and the officer noticed a SUV stopped in the driveway of Buffalo Wild Wings with their doors open. Curious to find out what was going on, the officer turned around and as soon as he drove up the SUV sped away in the parking lot. Moments later the officer spotted the vehicle stopped behind a commercial building. The driver, 42-year-old Noorullah Tarin (Antioch) exited the SUV and began talking to the officer. After a brief discussion officers began searching Tarin’s car, locating drug paraphernalia, small plastic baggies, a scale, two baggies of suspected methamphetamine and small denominations of cash. Tarin was booked into county jail on drug transportation and sales charges.

According to localcrimenews.com, Tarin has a history of previous arrests, all by Antioch Police in 2014, 2015 and 2018 that include drug charges, revocation of probation and a failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge.

You just never know what you will find in the middle of the night.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

ATTENTION Citizens of Antioch!!

The Antioch Police Department is participating in the City of Antioch’s first Local Roadway Safety Plan to identify potential traffic safety projects. The consultant running the project created a website that provides an overview of the project including updates as the project moves forward.

As part of that process, we are asking YOU to visit the project’s website and submit any suggestions you have regarding problem locations. The consultant is seeking ANY and ALL ideas as they relate to:

Roadway design

Engineering

Lighting and signage issues

Observed traffic violations

Suggestions for enforcement efforts

Drumroll please….

The project website link is: www.antiochsafestreets.com.

From here, continue to the link titled “Report Concern.”

We at the Antioch Police Department are hoping to solicit a LARGE amount of participation from our community in this reporting effort, so the consultant will have a significant amount of information to work from in drafting a comprehensive roadway safety plan.

Thank you in advance to our citizens…we hear you!!

 

But mayor, council members not informed at that time

By Allen Payton

The Herald was informed on Thursday, March 3, by a very reliable source who chose to remain anonymous, that on Dec. 24 Antioch Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore received an email, about the incident with Angelo Quinto on Dec. 23, from Captain Trevor Schnitzius who was the acting chief at the time. Because both Chief Brooks and City Manager Ron Bernal were on vacation at the time.

As of Monday, March 15 that was confirmed when through a public records request, the city released a copy of the Dec. 24 email from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore informing her of the incident the night before. (See UPDATE below) Email fr Schnitzius to Bayon Moore re Quinto 122420

Questions were emailed on Thursday to Mayor Lamar Thorpe, City Manager Ron Bernal, City Attorney Thomas Smith, Police Chief T Brooks and Bayon Moore asking to verify that information.

In addition, each of the other four other council members were emailed the following questions about the matter: “Were any of you aware of that? Did she contact any of you, at that time? Were you contacted by any member of city staff about Mr. Quinto’s death on Dec. 26th? Anything else you would like to share about it?”

Mayor Thorpe Not Aware

“This is breaking news, to me,” Thorpe said when asked about the email from APD to Bayon-Moore and the questions to him and city staff about it.

“In the four years that I have been on the city council I have always received a text message from the Chief of Police, whether it was Allan Cantando or Chief Brooks about major incidents,” he stated. “No one told us anything about this incident and there was no press release.”

“Even if he hadn’t texted us I would have seen the press release a few hours later,” Thorpe continued. “Usually, we get a text message and then a few hours later a press release issued.”

He reiterated that he didn’t know about the Quinto case, “Until I heard about it on social media, then during a conversation with Chief Brooks about other matters, I asked him if there had been an in-custody death.”

Like Bernal and Brooks, Thorpe was also on vacation at the time, and there are reports that he was in Mexico on a bicycle trip. While not confirming that he said, “it wouldn’t matter if I was on the moon. Someone should have contacted me and the council.”

“Whoever is in charge, whoever is acting, anything, my policy will clear things up and the council will be informed of major incidents and the policy will also including informing the police,” Thorpe added. “And the media will be in there.”

Ogorchock Responds

In response to the questions sent to her, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock responded, “I don’t know the date that we were informed. I’m looking for it.” She had not yet found it in either her texts or emails prior to publication time.

No Responses from Other City Officials, Public Records Act Request Submitted

None of the other three council members responded to the questions emailed to them as of publication time. Since none of the other city officials responded to the emails sent to them on Thursday, March 4 asking for verification of the information, a third email was sent Friday morning, which included the City’s Public Information Officer Rolando Bonilla.

In addition, a records request search was done on the city’s Open Public Records webpage for a copy of the email from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore. Because the search produced no results, on Friday, March 5, 2021 the Herald submitted the following Public Records Act request to the city:

“Please provide a copy of the email on Dec. 24 from Captain Trevor Schnitzius, who was the acting chief at the time, to Antioch Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore, regarding the incident with Angelo Quinto on Dec. 23.

In addition, please provide any and all email and other communications between all Antioch Police personnel and other city staff members and council members, as well as between all other city staff members and council members regarding the Dec. 23 incident and Mr. Quinto’s death on Dec. 26. Thank you.”

The City had 10 days to respond to the request for public records. If there is anything in the information requested that is deemed to require additional review, the City can take up to an additional 14 days to release it. However, the aforementioned city staff members could respond to the questions about the alleged email between Schnitzius and Bayon Moore before then.

3/17/21 UPDATE: In response to the public records request, on Monday, March 15, 2021, city staff released a copy of the email from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore and copied to Chief Brooks sent at 7:07 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2020. The subject line reads: Law Enforcement Protocol Event and “Importance: High”.

The email reads, “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.”

 

By Allen Payton

A report of a shooting in Antioch, Thursday afternoon, March 4, 2021, did not strike anyone, according to Antioch Police. It occurred in front of 523 W. 7th Street, said Corporal Jason Vanderpool. “It appears to have started as a fight over a woman.”

“Police found a spent shell casing. But there was no one hit. We couldn’t put it into the hands of anyone, so no one was arrested,” he stated.

Gang related. No suspect identified or description given.

By Allen Payton

In response to a request for the location of the shooting that Antioch Police reported occurring on Thursday, Feb. 25, Corporal Jason Vanderpool confirmed that it took place at the Executive Inn at 515 E. 18th Street. (See related article)

That is the proposed site that Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe and two council members, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, are considering for the location of a transitional housing program for homeless residents in the city. District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock voted to oppose the proposal. Ogorchock previously voted against it, last August.

“The victim said he was at the hotel, laying on the bed with two females, and an unknown person walked into the room and shot him,” Vanderpool said, reading from a report.

The 18-year-old male victim was driven to the Sutter Delta Medical Center emergency room, where police were called and spoke with him.

“The victim was identified as a local gang member but was uncooperative,” Vanderpool continued.  “Police collected blood and shell casings from the room and contacted some other gang members, but everyone was uncooperative. There was no description of the suspect nor identity provided. There was no motive provided.”

“The case has been assigned to a detective but will probably be closed since no suspect information has been obtained,” Vanderpool added.

Thorpe was contacted to see if he had any comment on the matter but did not respond before publication time.

After she learned about the location of the shooting, Ogorchock wrote, “I have not been in favor of that hotel being a location for transitional housing or a homeless shelter. It is not conducive to the surroundings or neighborhood. I’ve been very clear about that.”

“The reality is I have put an unbelievable amount of hours in providing alternatives,” Barbanica shared.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

Had suspended contractor’s license at the time; occurred in San Ramon

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

On Monday, March 1, 2021, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony complaint against Segundo Collazos, the owner of Amazon’s Landscaping Company based out of Concord. (See Complaint Collazos February 2021)

The charges relate to the 2018 death of Manuel Peralta, then 68, of Antioch, California, who died while operating a rented tree stump grinder in San Ramon. At the time of the incident, defendant Segundo Collazos had a suspended license with the Contractors State License Board. The investigation began from the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety & Health Bureau of Investigations.

The first felony alleges that defendant Collazos permitted the victim Manuel Peralta to use a stump grinder in a manner contrary to manufacturer recommendations and to work in the danger zone of the cutting wheel, resulting in his death. The second felony alleges that Collazos failed to properly train Peralta on the proper and safe use of the stump grinder, also resulting in his death.

The District Attorney’s Office reminds homeowners to check that a contractor is currently licensed and insured before hiring them for residential construction work. Homeowners can check the validity of a license number on the Contractors’ State Licensing Board website or call (800) 321-CSLB (2752).

“When a Cal/OSHA investigation reveals evidence a worker’s serious injury or death involves criminal misconduct, our Bureau of Investigations Unit refers those cases to the local District Attorney’s Office for prosecution,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Doug Parker. “We thank the Contra Costa County District Attorney for their work on this case. Employers must be made aware that disregarding the requirement to train and supervise workers using dangerous equipment can lead to tragedy and possible jail time.”

Deputy District Attorney Ryan Morris is prosecuting the case on behalf of the People. DDA Morris is assigned to our Office’s Special Operations Division.

Case information: People v. Segundo Collazos, Docket Number 01-195521-0.

“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 Tammany Brooks

District Attorney’s investigation continues

By Allen Payton

Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks held the second of two press conferences in a week, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, about deaths of residents following interactions with police. The latest was about the call police received to the home of Angelo Quinto on Dec. 23 and his death, three days later. Ending weeks of speculation and finally answering numerous questions on the matter, Brooks said that officers did not kneel on his neck during the incident. That refuted numerous Bay Area and national news stories that were based on the words of Quinto’s family and their attorney. In addition, the chief said Quinto was not in police custody at the time of his death on Dec. 26, refuting claims by some Antioch council members and local protesters.

Following are the chief’s prepared remarks he provided, today: (see video of press conference posted by eastcountytoday.net)

“On December 23, 2020 at approximately 11:10 PM, Antioch dispatch received a call from a woman screaming the address to an unknown disturbance in the 1900 block of Crestwood Drive in Antioch.  I will play the 9-1-1 recording for you now: (download recording here)

• First Recording (9-1-1 Call)

Our dispatcher called back, and this is that recording:

• Second Recording (9-1-1 Call)

Now listen to the recording of the initial radio traffic that went to our officers, Nicholas Shipilov, Arturro Becerra, James Perkinson, and Daniel Hopwood:

• Third Recording (Radio Traffic)

Officers Becerra and Perkinson arrived on scene at approximately 11:12 PM to find Angelo Quinto being actively restrained by his mother on a bedroom floor of the home.  The officers requested Angelo’s mother to get off Angelo so they could detain him in handcuffs.

According to the results of a preliminary investigation, at one point during the handcuffing, an officer did briefly – for a few seconds – have a knee across a portion of Angelo’s shoulder blade. This is a common control technique taught at CA POST approved Police Academies for prone handcuffing.  At no point did any officer use a knee or any other body part to gain leverage or apply pressure to Angelo’s head, neck, or throat, which is outside our policy and training.

One of the officers then repositioned to control Angelo’s legs as his legs were actively thrashing around.  At that time, the other officer on scene spoke to Angelo’s mother to determine his medical history.

Officers determined Angelo was suffering a mental health crisis and summoned an ambulance at approximately 11:16 PM.  Based on the nature of the call, two other APD officers arrived on scene around that time.

Paramedics arrived on scene at approximately 11:23 PM.  As the medics entered the bedroom, officers recognized that Angelo had become unresponsive and was potentially experiencing a medical emergency.  Angelo was immediately unhandcuffed, and medics began evaluating him and rendering medical aid. (See video of the incident by Quinto’s family WARNING: Age restricted)

While CPR was in progress, officers notified an APD supervisor via radio of the situation at approximately 11:29 PM.  Angelo was transported to an area hospital at approximately 11:30 PM.

To ensure transparency, impartiality, and public confidence in the investigatory process, and out of an abundance of caution, the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident (LEIFI) Protocol investigation was initiated, whereby the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office lead an investigation into this incident.

Ultimately, Angelo was admitted into the intensive care unit of the hospital where he remained under their care for approximately three days before we were informed of his unfortunate passing.

I have been in contact with the Coroner’s Office and the following four points have been jointly approved by multiple pathologists related to their findings thus far:

1. Although the decedent had injuries consistent with a struggle with his family and law enforcement, none of the injuries appeared to be fatal.
2. There were no fractures of the skull, torso, or extremities.
3. A full examination of the neck revealed there was no evidence of strangulation or crushed airway.
4. They are currently expanding toxicology testing because they were aware of reported past drug use.

As you may already be aware, in Contra Costa County, anytime there is a death related to law enforcement, there is a Coroner’s Inquest.  This is a public hearing in which the facts and circumstances of the incident are provided by the officers and specific eyewitnesses.  Additionally, this is the venue for the medical examiner to provide insight into the medical cause and manner of death.  That hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Additionally, and separately, this case will also undergo an independent third-party administrative investigation to determine if there was any violation of departmental policies.

On behalf of myself and the men and women of the Antioch Police Department, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Quinto family for their devastating loss.”

Informing of Mayor and Council About Incident

At last Wednesday’s press conference on the in-custody death that occurred early that morning, Brooks was asked by this reporter if he had contacted Mayor Lamar Thorpe about the incident with Quinto and his subsequent death, at that time. Brooks responded that he was on vacation at that time. When asked if someone from the department had contacted the mayor he responded, “yes.”

Thorpe, who spoke at that press conference refuted that and said he had learned of Quinto’s death on social media the first week of January. Brooks was asked by the Herald to provide documentation of when the mayor was contacted and by whom.

In today’s press conference in response to another question about it, Brooks said “I spoke to the mayor on Dec. 31st, about this. I believe there are additional records on this.”

However, when asked about what Brooks said about informing him, Thorpe responded emphatically, “I inquired to the chief if there was an in-custody death after I read about it on social media. That’s the conversation he’s referring to when he said he spoke to me on Dec. 31st. I said it was the first week of January, for which I apologize for getting that wrong.”

“The police department did not inform the council and did not inform the mayor and that’s why we’re going to have new protocols on when the chief will inform the council of major events,” he added.

Brooks responded, “I believe that is correct. I don’t know how he heard about it prior, but he did call me and ask on that day.”

The DA’s investigation is still not complete.

Family’s Attorney Makes False Claim About Police Cameras

As reported by other news media, the family’s attorney, John L. Burris said during a February 18 press conference, that Antioch Police failed to turn on their body cameras and police car dash cams. That’s in spite of the fact the department has neither, currently. Those were the subject of last Friday night’s special council meeting in which all five council members voted to support both. A final decision will be made to approve the purchase of cameras at a future council meeting.