Police Officers observe, Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair participates; not shown on Comcast Channel 24 due to “connectivity issues”; online feed ends before breakout session reports completed; will be on City website “ASAP”

By Allen Payton

The second of three Bridging the Gap dialogues, sponsored by the Antioch City Council, on the issue of Racial Disparities in Policing ended early with a communications gap. Held Saturday morning, Feb. 6, the session was introduced by consultant Hildy Saizow, Senior Advisor, CNA Center for Justice Research and Innovation, who said, “As your city confronts the critical issues of racial injustice and police community relations… (the forum) provides a wide, cross-section of people who live and work in Antioch to share their perspective on the issues. Ultimately these Bridging the Gap discussions will result in actions” by the city council and police department.

Antioch Police Officers would be participating as observers only, she said.

CNA’s “expert on policing” Stephen Hickman introduced the issue for the days discussion by defining racial disparities in policing as, “the percentage of a racial group in a general population compared to a specific racial group in police actions. Nationally, Blacks make up 13% of the population but 25% percent of arrests. That’s a racial disparity. Where they exist, they may require examination.”

“Since the hiring of Chief Brooks, the high number of disparities has been addressed,” he shared.

“Acknowledging disparities is the first step in moving forward,” Hickman concluded.

The 75 randomly selected participants then broke into five, small-group sessions for about an hour. At least one of the members of the Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission, Chair Sandra White, participated in the second session.

Breakout Session Reports

After returning from the breakout sessions, a member of CNA’s team from each of the sessions reported a summary of what their groups discussed.

Ben Carleton said his group “wanted Antioch Police to be out in the community, more” and “start treating people as human beings, with respect. This goes both ways. Individuals need to treat each other respectfully.”

“Everyone had something to say,” said another CNA team member about his group. “Everybody felt strongly in this regard…there has to be a two-way conversation…between police and citizens. Coupled with that in some sense…the police department has been held back, stifled a bit. There was a sense that they had not learned enough about what the police department had done. Community policing is important…there’s a desire to get back to those practices. There needed to be outreach to those communities and individuals who might be more affected.”

“On the three types of bias, there was a strong sentiment that this police bias is very important and a desire for a better explanation of why,” he continued. “There might be training but they need to know more.”

“There was discussion that the police department look more demographically like the population,” he concluded.

At 11:20 a.m., as another presenter began sharing the comments from her group the City’s online video feed cut out. Mayor Lamar Thorpe told the Herald, “I’ll make sure it (the video) gets on the website, ASAP.”

The session wasn’t shown on Comcast Channel 24, either. When informed of that Thorpe replied, “We had connectivity issues.”

CNA will provide a report following the third and final Bridging the Gap forum to be held on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 10:00-11:30 am. on the topic Police-Community Engagement. To participate in that forum, register here.

Please check back later for more details from the remainder of the second session or watch it on the City’s website once it’s been saved, here. Watch the first Bridging the Gap Dialogue on Police Oversight, Accountability and Transparency, here. (See related article).

 

By Antioch Police Department

Yesterday, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at about 12:10 pm, APD Dispatch got a call reporting a shoplifter at a store on Somersville Road. The shoplifter pulled out a knife on an employee that tried to stop him near the store exit. The employee provided an EXCELLENT description of his getaway vehicle, which was relayed to officers immediately over the radio. Officer Milner was in the area and saw a matching vehicle traveling northbound on Somersville. APD dayshift officers raced to the scene and were able to stop the vehicle at Auto Center and Sycamore Drives. The driver was safely detained, the employee was brought to the scene, and a positive identification was made. A large knife was recovered from his vehicle which the employee also identified as the same one used against her. Officers obtained video surveillance and there was no doubt they had their man.

A misdemeanor shoplifting incident was escalated to a felony robbery because a knife was used to threaten a store employee. He was fitted with a pair of chrome bracelets and given an express ride to the County Jail (so he could tell others that crime doesn’t pay in Antioch).

What can you do if you witness a crime such as this? First – and foremost – NEVER put yourself in danger. Call 9-1-1 if it’s safe to do so and be prepared to give a description of the suspect and vehicle (if applicable). Try to remember a distinctive article of clothing or something that stands out about their appearance. If you can remember all or part of the license plate, we can do a lot to find vehicles through computer searches and investigation. Thanks for helping us keep Antioch safe and kudos to the observant retail employee, who had the presence of mind to do all these things, and help us catch the bad guy!

#antiochpdca #crimedoesntpay

 

By Antioch Police Department

With issues arising in the Sycamore area, our Problem-Oriented Policing Unit took a directed approach to solve some of the ongoing problems. Today’s results ended with several arrests for marijuana sales, two vehicles towed, and an arrest for possession of an unregistered firearm.

The POP team would love to hear from you in ways they can help with crime in your area. You can email them at popteam@antiochca.gov or send an anonymous text tip to 274637 and use the keyword ANTIOCH.

 

450 arrests, 39 rescues by more than 100 state, federal and local agencies and tax forces

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

Contra Costa victim service providers and law enforcement agencies participated in the 7th Annual statewide “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild” enforcement event organized by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce. This operation focuses on rescuing victims of sex trafficking, identifying and arresting their abusers, and disrupting demand for these vulnerable victims. This is the third straight year that Contra Costa has participated in the operation, since organizing its own Human Trafficking Taskforce. (See press conference video.)

“Our collective goal to end human trafficking and exploitation locally and statewide is evidenced in our unified regional and state-wide approach to combat these heinous crimes. The trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims will not be tolerated in Contra Costa or California,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

Participating agencies made five arrests and rescued three victims in enforcement action occurring in East and Central Contra Costa County. Statewide, a total of 450 arrests and 39 rescues were made by more than 100 state, federal and local agencies and taskforces.

Contra Costa law service and service provider agencies included:

• Contra Costa Human Trafficking Taskforce
• Pittsburg Police Department
• Brentwood Police Department
• Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
• Walnut Creek Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
• San Pablo Police Department
• California Highway Patrol
• Contra Costa County Probation Department
• Community Violence Solutions
• Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Contra Costa’s Human Trafficking Taskforce brings together local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecution partners who enhance collaboration with victim service partners in order to investigate and prosecute all forms of trafficking our community in a trauma-informed manner while connecting survivors to culturally-competent services and support.

To report suspected trafficking, call the Human Trafficking Tip Line and leave a message: 925-957-8658

To get help, call Community Violence Solutions 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-800-670-7273

 

More details later

Every January, like all law enforcement agencies across the country, we here at the Antioch Police Department work to compile data and statistics from the previous calendar year. As I looked through the numbers, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride. Pride because I recognized these numbers represented the hard work, dedication, professionalism, and true commitment of the men and women at APD who serve this community with honor and integrity. I’m honored to be their chief, just like I’m honored to be yours! I am thankful for the partnership between the Antioch Police Department and the community we serve, and truly believe it is what makes a positive impact on everyone’s quality of life.

In the next couple weeks, I’ll be sharing more detailed information about 2020, such as crime rate, response times, staffing, etc. But for now, here is just a brief snapshot of some of the numbers I found interesting. I hope you do as well!

Sincerely,

Chief T

 

Summary emailed to council members, three city staff on Dec. 22 leaked to at least one member of the public; results used to promote protest held on Jan. 9; released to media on Jan. 25

“I am completely confident in his abilities and know he has the right temperament, values, and character to serve as an Antioch Police Officer. If I didn’t, I would not have hired him in the first place.” – Antioch Police Chief T Brooks

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Police Department completed an outside investigation into the hiring of Officer Michael Mellone who shot and killed a homeless man in 2016, clearing him for hire. The report clears Mellone for hire by the APD and a summary was shared with council members, City Manager Ron Bernal, Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore and City Attorney Thomas Lloyd Smith by Antioch Police Chief T Brooks on Dec. 22, 2020. However, the Herald learned about the results of the investigation, earlier this month after resident Shagoofa Khan announced them in a social media post promoting a protest held on Saturday, Jan. 9 in Antioch’s downtown and at the police facility. Brooks email to Council & staff re Mellone 12-22-20   Crump Investigations – MMellone 12-20-20

Following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Herald, the report summary was released on Monday, Jan. 25. Brooks said he needed time for a review by outside counsel to ensure information released by his department complied with confidentiality laws and rules protecting employees.

The investigation and report were in response to a request by former Mayor Sean Wright last June, to address complaints by Khan, other Antioch residents and other, out-of-town protesters who called for Mellone to be fired. Brooks said the investigation included the review of over 1,600 pages of documents, crime scene photos, a summary internal investigation into the case and a report on the shooting from an independent police expert, released by the S.F. Department of Police Accountability (SFDPA).

Second APD Background Investigation of Mellone

The background investigation was conducted by private investigator Jeffrey Crump of Crump Investigations, who was hired to handle the original background investigation of Mellone, completed in July 2019 before he was hired by the APD.

“The purpose of this review was to determine if any new information was provided that was not known to us at the time Officer Mellone was hired – and if there was, would any of the information have altered the ability for Officer Mellone to serve as a police officer,” Brooks wrote in his email to council and city staff. “In June 2020, the Antioch Police Department became aware of new documents released by SFPD pertaining to the Gongora shooting. These documents were not available during the initial background investigation and hiring of Officer Mellone. Therefore, they were sent to our independent licensed contracted background investigator to inspect.”

Crump summarized his report by writing, “After a review of all of the newly provided documents, the supplemental investigation again revealed no disqualifying information as it relates to Officer Mellone’s suitability to serve as a police officer under the specified qualifications for employment identified by the City of Antioch, POST Commission Regulation 1953, or Government Codes § 1029 and 1031.”

2016 Incident in San Francisco

On April 7, 2016, Antioch Police Officer Michael Mellone, while working for the San Francisco Police Department, along with his partner and sergeant, shot and killed 45-year-old Luís Demetrio Góngora-Pat, a homeless man. After being shot by non-lethal bean bags, Gongora-Pat was waving a large kitchen knife and lunged at the officers. They then responded with lethal force, shooting him seven times. Góngora-Pat later died at the hospital from his injuries.

Security Camera Video of 2016 Incident

See security camera video of police incident with Luís Góngora-Pat that occurred in the 400 block of Shotwell Street, here. (Warning: The video does not show the shooting itself but, may be disturbing to watch and/or listen to.)

Mellone Placed on Paid Leave by SFPD Pending Investigation

Mellone and his sergeant were put on paid administrative leave pending the investigation of the officer involved shooting.

The following press release was issued by the San Francisco Police Department the day of the incident:

“SFPD Investigating an Officer Involved Shooting on Shotwell & 19th St

APRIL 07, 2016 | 11:09 AM

By San Francisco Police Department

San Francisco Police are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Shotwell and 19th Street today at approximately 10:04AM. Officers had responded to a report of man waving a knife approximately 10 to 12 inches long.  After making contact with the man, an officer fired four ‘bean bag’ type projectiles at the man from an Extended Range Impact Weapon (ERIW).  As the situation unfolded, two officers discharged their Department issued pistols striking the man at least one time.  He was transported to the hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. This incident is being investigated by the SFPD Homicide Detail, SFPD Internal Affairs Unit, SF District Attorney’s Office, SF Medical Examiner’s Office and the Office of Citizens Complaints”

Family Sues San Francisco

On Oct. 7, 2016 the family of Góngora-Pat filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of San Francisco for wrongful death.

Autopsy Shows Methamphetamine in System

The autopsy of Góngora-Pat, released on April 11, 2016 found he had intoxicating levels of methamphetamine, and smaller amounts of THC (cannabis) and caffeine, in his bloodstream.

San Francisco DA Clears Mellone

In May 2018 Mellone was cleared by the S.F. District Attorney, who determined the shooting death to be justified.  The S.F. City Attorney’s Office said it had eyewitnesses who said that Góngora lunged at the officers with a knife before he was shot.

According to Courthouse News Service an Attorney’s Office spokeswoman said in an email, “We also now know that Gongora was high on methamphetamine at the time of the incident and had a long criminal history. Gongora posed an immediate and deadly threat, and our officers’ use of lethal force was necessary and legally justified.”

Family Settles with City

In early 2019, the family of Góngora-Pat settled their lawsuit with the City of San Francisco for $140,000.

Promoted to Sergeant Earns Awards

Also, in early 2019 Mellone was promoted within the S.F. Police Department to the position of sergeant during which time he earned several awards.

Department Policies Violated

According to a June 2019 KQED news report, “The Police Department’s internal investigation, which was completed in August 2018…found that Mellone violated the policy governing ‘ranged impact weapons.’ The inquiry’s finding that…Mellone and Sgt. Nathaniel Steger be suspended for ‘neglect of duty’ is unusual in that officers are rarely disciplined for fatal on-duty shootings.”

Suspensions Recommended

SFPD Internal Affairs said they were going to recommend a 10-day suspension for Mellone. In June 2019, the SFDPA, which is staffed by civilians that have never been police officers in San Francisco, recommended a 45-day suspension for Mellone and a 30-day suspension for his sergeant.

However, they were only recommendations and Mellone could have fought to prevent them from being enforced.

Hired Again by Antioch PD

In August 2019, Mellone, a native of San Ramon, was hired by the Antioch Police Department, where he had previously worked as a detective until 2012. He had also previously worked for both the Richmond and Oakland police departments before joining the SFPD in 2012.

Protesters Demand Mellone’s Firing

During several protests last year, including a hunger strike by six people, Antioch residents and other, out-of-town protesters demanded Mellone be fired for the 2016 shooting death of Góngora-Pat, claiming the Antioch Police Officer “murdered” the man. (See related article)

Brooks Email to Council & City Staff

In his email about the report summary, Chief Brooks wrote, “I hired Officer Mellone back in August 2019. At that time he went through the same rigorous testing process as every other APD applicant. This included an oral interview, medical evaluation, polygraph test, psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation. As a side note, the Antioch Police Department is audited annually by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to ensure our background investigations are conducted in accordance with POST standards. Officer Mellone passed all aspects of the hiring process. During the background investigation all available information concerning Officer Mellone’s employment with SFPD, including the shooting of Gongora, was examined and vetted and no disqualifying information was identified.”

“Upon completion of this investigation it has been determined that no new evidence was identified, and Officer Mellone is still qualified to work as a police officer anywhere in the State of California,” Brooks continued. “I had originally assigned Officer Mellone out of the patrol unit until results of this investigation were known. Now that the investigation has been completed, he will return to his regular patrol duties beginning in January with my full support.”

“Officer Mellone is a very caring and competent police officer who has spent his entire adult life working in law enforcement. And while some people have questioned his intentions or abilities based on limited information they know about one incident that occurred over 4 ½ years ago, I am completely confident in his abilities and know he has the right temperament, values, and character to serve as an Antioch Police Officer. If I didn’t, I would not have hired him in the first place,” Brooks concluded.

Two Council Members Deny Releasing Summary to Public

All five council members were asked more than once if any of them had released the summary report to any member of the public. Only Council Members Lori Ogorchock and Mike Barbanica said they had not. Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker refused to respond.

Full Report Not Public, Some Antioch Residents Still Not Satisfied, Hold Another Protest

The full report is not public as it’s a personnel matter, according to Chief Brooks. Not satisfied with the results of the outside investigation, the protest on Saturday, Jan. 9 continued to include calls for Mellone to be fired, claiming he murdered Gongora-Pat. Protest signs were posted in Waldie Plaza, including one that read “Mellone Murders”. (See video of protest, here)

“This was an investigation on the hiring process,” said protest organizer Shagoofa Khan in the video. “The thing that we want to open an investigation on is his use of excessive force with the man that he had killed in his S.F., Luis Gongora-Pat. And we already knew that this investigation was going to be cleared. We want more accountability. We want more oversight. Which is why we are asking for more police oversight, which is why we’re asking for cameras on police.”

A video of the protesters (warning: graphic language) at the Antioch Police Facility was posted by Christina Cox, an administrator of the Justice for APD Facebook group. It includes comments by one speaker calling the Antioch Police “motherf—ing terrorists” and saying, “Chief Brooks f— you bi—”.

The protest signs were later picked up by a Sacramento resident who then burned them and posted photos of his actions on Facebook.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

A gathering to show support for the police was also held on Saturday, Jan. 9, which was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Antioch Police Facility, by members of another pro-police Facebook group, known as Antioch Backs the Blue. Chief Brooks came out to greet and speak with them. One video of the encounter was posted by group member Ed Sigismondo and another video was posted by member Paul Vienna.

“This job, it is a noble profession,” Brooks said. “I’ll be the first one to talk about officers throughout the country, throughout the world, quite honestly. But, I’ll just speak specifically, here in our own United States, there are some officers who don’t deserve to wear the badge and who don’t deserve to wear the uniform and you know what? I have no problem holding them accountable. My staff, they know what my values are, they know what my standards are and they’re going to uphold it.”

“I saw you guys out here and I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you. I mean truly, this is special here on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which I found was very fitting. So, I truly, truly do appreciate it,” he added.

————————-

Other News Reports of Incident

Following are all the news reports that could be found in an online search about the shooting death of Gongora-Pat from a variety of sources:

Witnesses challenge San Francisco police account of homeless man’s killing

Police department maintains man was ‘waving a large knife’, but witnesses say he was not threatening the officers before he was shot dead

The Guardian by Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco

Published on Thu 7 Apr 2016 18.28 EDT

————–

SF police shooting unfolded in 30 seconds, video shows

San Francisco Chronicle by Kale Williams and Vivian Ho 

April 8, 2016 Updated: April 8, 2016 8 p.m.

————-

Police brutality and homelessness collide in aftermath of San Francisco killing

The story of Luis Gongora, shot dead by police this week, reflects city’s twin crises and raises alarming questions about the official and witness accounts of the shooting

The Guardian by Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco

Published on Sat 9 Apr 2016 13.36 EDT

————–

Sixth witness disputes police account of homeless man’s killing in San Francisco

Woman says Luis Gongora appeared ‘relaxed’ and was ‘not posing a threat to anyone’ before officers shot and killed him

The Guardian by Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco

Published on Tue 12 Apr 2016 09.00 EDT

————-

San Francisco police release details of homeless man’s killing as outrage grows

San Francisco police chief addresses public over fatal shooting of Luis Gongora but fails to placate anger as thousands call for prosecution of officers

The Guardian Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco  Published on Wed 13 Apr 2016 18.50 EDT

————–

SF Police Killing Calls Reforms Into Question

Courthouse News Service by NICHOLAS IOVINO April 14, 2016

————–

Police Identify SFPD Officers Who Shot Homeless Man

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF)  April 17, 2016 at 2:17 pm

---

DA: No Charges Against Officers In Woods And Gongora Cases – CBS San Francisco (cbslocal.com)

May 24, 2018 at 1:06 pm (Includes additional video of incident)

—————

Homeless man’s killing by police ‘like a gangster movie’, family claims

Attorneys for Luis Góngora’s family presented evidence they say shows San Francisco officers shot him from above, while he was sitting down or lying prone

The Guardian by Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco

Published on Fri 17 Jun 2016 18.53 EDT

————-

The life and death of Luis Gongora: the police killing nobody noticed

No one tracks police brutality against the homeless. So while some shootings make international headlines, the deaths of those living on the streets – though disproportionately high – often barely cause a ripple

The Guardian by Julia Carrie Wong in San Francisco and Teabo  Fri 12 Aug 2016 09.56 EDT

——————

Maya Family Sues SF Police for Father’s Death

Courthouse News Service by NICHOLAS IOVINO  October 13, 2016

——————

San Francisco Officers Off the Hook in High-Profile Shootings

Courthouse News Service by NICK CAHILL May 24, 2018

——————

San Francisco DA: No Charges Will Be Filed Against SFPD Officers in Mario Woods and Luis Gongora Fatal Shootings

By NBC Bay Area Staff and Wires • Published May 24, 2018 • Updated on May 24, 2018 at 5:37 pm

——————–

SF settles lawsuit over police shooting of Luis Gongora Pat

San Francisco Examiner by MICHAEL BARBA Jan. 11, 2019 12:00 a.m.

——————-

San Francisco OKs $140K Settlement in Police Shooting

Courthouse News Service by NICHOLAS IOVINO April 30, 2019

——————–

SF Officer Jumps to Another Department Before Being Disciplined for a Shooting

NBC Bay Area by Jaxon Van Derbeken • Published June 4, 2020 • Updated on June 5, 2020 at 12:48 am

——————–

Police watchdog finds officers who fatally shot homeless man should face suspension

Agency says SFPD ‘aggravated’ Luis Gongora-Pat with bean bag gun, prompting shooting

San Francisco Examiner by MICHAEL BARBA Jun. 25, 2019 6:15 p.m.

———————-

S.F. Police oversight agency calls for suspension of officers who shot homeless man in 2016

Investigation found that officers did not follow department policy to de-escalate the situation, and actually made it worse

KQED by Alex Emslie  Jun 26, 2019

This story was produced as part of the California Reporting Project, a collaboration of 40 newsrooms across the state to obtain and report on police misconduct and serious use-of-force records unsealed in 2019.

———————-

Watchdog findings prompt calls to fire officers over Luis Gongora Pat shooting

The highly controversial case spurred protests and $140K settlement with family

San Francisco Examiner by MICHAEL BARBA  Jun. 27, 2019 5:00 p.m.

————————

SFPD internal report finds officer who shot Luis Gongora Pat acted ‘out of policy’ in escalating encounter

Shooting homeless immigrant Luis Gongora Pat was deemed within policy, even if escalating encounter into lethal confrontation was not

Mission Local by Julian Mark | Oct 2, 2019

SF officer involved in shooting death of homeless man quit while facing discipline, landed new job in Antioch

San Francisco Examiner by MICHAEL BARBA Jun. 4, 2020 5:02 p.m.

—————————-

Antioch police hired former San Francisco cop faulted in fatal 2016 shooting, riled residents hold protest

Revelations of the hiring come as Bay Area and the continue to reel from the killing last week of George Floyd

Mercury News by THOMAS PEELE and RICK HURD | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: June 11, 2020 at 12:21 p.m. | UPDATED: June 12, 2020 at 1:56 p.m.

 

 

Overwhelming support for body worn cameras

By Allen Payton

The first of three “Bridging the Gap” discussions on Antioch police, community and race relations held Tuesday night, appeared to show there is no gap that needs to be bridged between the community and police department. The first discussion, on the topic of Police Oversight, Transparency & Accountability, offered broad support for both Chief Brooks and Antioch police in general from the 75 members of the public who participated and broke into five groups for their discussions. (View video of first meeting, here)

However, participants believe there is room for some improvement in the areas of transparency and accountability, with the use of body worn cameras, and better communication, as well as some additional citizen oversight, just not “overreach”.

The format of the forums was finally, fully explained to the public with the City only broadcasting the opening and report-out, closing session on the city’s website and on Comcast Channel 24. But not the five breakout sessions. Plus, the council members did not and will not participate in the discussions due to the Brown Act state open meeting law. They could just watch and listen.

Hildy Saizow of the consulting company CAN, hired to facilitate the discussions, opened the meeting and explained the format. She then introduced Mary O’Connor, retired Assistant Chief of the Tampa, Florida Police Department, and currently an instructor with the FBI-LEED, Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, according to her LinkedIn profile.

O’Connor spoke of the various ways that cities provide oversight of their police departments, both internal and external to “ensure the complaint process is available to anyone.”

“Some oversight committees have investigative authority,” she shared. “Some have subpoena powers.”

O’Connor then shared there are concerns that oversight committees are “way above and beyond what cities can do and afford.”

“Prosecution rates increase as a result of body-worn cameras,” she stated.

Saizow then shared the ground rules for the break-out sessions.

Then those members of the public who weren’t one of the 75 who either live or work in Antioch and randomly selected to participate in the breakout sessions were shown the following screen:

Earlier Tuesday, Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore, and Public Information Officer Rolando Bonilla were asked for a list of the names of the 75 participants for each of the three forums, and when and where the reports from the break-out sessions will be made available. A response is expected sometime on Wednesday.

When the group returned for the public to watch, O’Connor spoke about her break-out session.

“The majority of our group believes the Antioch Police Department is transparent,” she said. “They know of teams that go out to the community and meet with groups. They believe the police department does a good job on promoting their events” on social media.

“Our group felt, based on their breadth of knowledge, that some accountability was necessary,” O’Connor stated. “They did cite some officers who have been in the news that they’ve heard about. There was some positive, some negatives. Generally from an accountability the citizens would like to know more about what happens in the department.”

“Our group was overwhelmingly in favor of some oversight, but were concerned about costs and where they would come from,” she said. “They supported body-worn cameras over civilian oversight.”

“As far as civilian oversight, they said they would be willing to be a part of that,” O’Connor stated. “They said there should be civilian oversight but not overreach.”

She shared that one participant in her group said, “the bodyworn cameras are long overdue,” and another said, “we can’t afford not to have bodyworn cameras.”

There was “overwhelming support for bodyworn cameras and dashboard cameras,” O’Connor pointed out.

The city needs to “provide more information to the people who come to these sessions about bodyworn cameras,” she added. “There is a lot of information out there how bodyworn cameras can have negative impact on the community.”

“There was a large part of our group that has done the Citizen’s Academy and done ride-alongs,” O’Connor concluded. “I think that pretty much wraps up our report.”

Rachel Johnston, a colleague of Saizow shared about the results from her breakout session.

“There was a lot of support for the Antioch Police Department and Police Chief Brooks,” she said. “Regarding transparency, there’s not a lot of understanding of what transparency is. But overall there is agreement that there’s always room for improvement. APD could engage in these technologies, bodyworn cameras and dashboard cameras.”

Johnston spoke of “the overlap of accountability and transparency. How can APD be accountable if they’re not being transparent?” was a question from her group. “People weren’t quite sure what the outcomes of certain incidents.”

“As for police oversight, there’s a lot of support for the police department,” Johnston shared. There was mention that “community members aren’t entitled to known everything and that civilians wouldn’t be effective, because police require a lot of training.”

She also said the members of her group said communication with the police department could be improved.

Stephen Hickman, another colleague of Saizow, shared from his group:

“Generally there was an issue raised about transparency in hiring. Antioch has come a long way with transparency,” he said. “The police and community need to meet halfway to bridge that gap.”

“On accountability there was a feeling among some that there isn’t good accountability and they cited certain cases” and “a general concern about not having information,” Hickman continued.

Regarding “bodyworn cameras, there seemed to be general agreement, but once again, wanting more information,” he stated.

On “civilian oversight, they thought that was a good idea. There was some concern about volunteers being overwhelmed. There were some of the suggestions for making things better and for building trust…making better use of social media.”

Monique Jenkins, another colleague of Saizow’s, shared about her group’s interactions on the subject matter.

“Most felt good about transparency from Chief Brooks but that there could be improvement,” she said. “Members shared support for oversight but, there was dissent kind of to what point.”

“Others wanted to start from scratch and have a group with more power,” Jenkins stated.

“On building trust, my folks felt there needed to be more community outreach in non-policing situations,” she shared.

Saizow then reported out on her group.

“The first point was around transparency. Most people felt the department is fairly transparent,” she stated. “But, they thought if there was more data, or a data dashboard that was available.”

“Most supported bodyworn cameras,” Saizow said.

“While most felt there needed to be more public input, there’s some concern about a police oversight board, because Antioch is too small and there could be overreach. But some kind of oversight.”

There was discussion around police-community engaging, and community partnership,” she said. “Other people felt that police didn’t come and engage in their particular neighborhoods…with higher percentage of poverty and minority residents.”

“Overall there was support for police and none of these changes would change community trust,” Saizow concluded.

“There are two more round tables to be held over the next month,” she stated. Those will be held on Feb. 6th and 18th and will also only allow 75 participants chosen randomly.

Following the meeting Councilman Mike Barbanica said, “I listened to the main sessions, then monitored my breakout session and was impressed with not only the support for the police department in general, but also for Chief Brooks.”

CNA will be sending out a high-level summary of Tuesday night’s meeting and a report at the end of all three which will be shared with participants.

Dialogue 2: Racial Disparities in Policing

Date:  Saturday, February 6th

Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am

Discussion will focus on the disparate impact of police practices – such as recruitment and training, and use of force – on communities of color.

Register here.

Dialogue 3: Police-Community Engagement

Date:  Thursday, February 18th

Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am

Discussion will focus on how to improve the ways in which the police interact with young people and vulnerable communities, how police approach crime prevention, and how communities impact policing priorities.

Register here.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

“arrested on a $50,000 warrant…for an arson case that took place right behind the police department” – Antioch Police Corporal Josh Evans

By Allen Payton

Posts on Facebook and Twitter, Friday night shortly after 9:00 p.m., by the East Bay Resistance, of which 20-year-old Antioch protester and 2017 Antioch Youth of the Year, Shagoofa Khan is on the board of directors, claimed she was arrested “by Antioch Police Department in Lafayette” for “Felony Arson and her bail is set to $50K” and that they needed $5,000 to bail her out.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department website, Khan was arrested at 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning in Lafayette by Antioch Police on a warrant.

That was later confirmed by Antioch Police Corporal Josh Evans who said Khan “was arrested on a $50,000 warrant related to an arson case that we are actively working. I can’t give you any information about the investigation, itself. But just confirming she was arrested by our officers…out of Lafayette on an active arrest warrant for an arson case that took place right behind the police department.”

As of Saturday morning, Khan had been bailed out of county jail.

She has been one of the organizers and leading participants in several protests in Antioch, last year and this year, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and calling for the firing of specific Antioch Police Officers she has referred to as “killer cops”. In addition, she was seen participating in area other protests, including one in Brentwood, last year, near the home of a man who had hung an effigy of former Vice President Joe Biden in effigy, outside his house. (See related article)

On Khan’s LinkedIn page she wrote about herself, “I am someone who is very passionate about public service. For me public servitude is about serving everyone and anyone to the best of my ability & making sure that everyone’s voices are heard. If there is anything I can do to help out within my community, I will always make sure to step up to help in any way possible. There is a dire need for community engagement and my personal goal everyday is to get people involved!

One thing I know I want to do when I’m older is to be a public servant and to work for the betterment of the community, city, state, country, and soon hopefully the world! I don’t know how I’m going to start but by making small changes in my community is definitely a great way to start.”

According to her Facebook page, Khan currently lives in Berkeley where she’s attending U.C. Berkeley. In addition, she has been active in student government at Los Medanos College and in Democrat Party politics. Khan is a 2018 graduate of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School in Antioch, ran unsuccessfully for the Antioch School Board, later that year, and was honored as a 2017 Youth of the Year by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce at their annual awards banquet. (See related article).

An effort to reach her for comment was unsuccessful prior to publication. Please check back later for any updates to this report.