By Antioch Police Department

A HOLLY JOLLY DAY!

While we didn’t have Rudolph to cut through this morning’s fog, there was plenty of blue to light the way during the Antioch Police Department’s annual holiday giveaway.

More than 200 Antioch families were treated to new toys, groceries and fresh produce.

Some 30 police officers, APD Cadets and other volunteers jumped into action to organize, greet guests and hand out the goods.

Grateful families drove through the parking lot to receive a variety of food and toys ranging from dolls and puzzles to art kits and stuffed animals.

A lucky dozen won the drawing for children’s bicycles thanks to a donation from Bridge Marina Yacht Club.

And, speaking of donations, there was an abundance of toys thanks to Antioch Fellowship Church, Antioch High, Antioch Middle and Park Middle schools, Antioch Woman’s Club, Dr. Ali Shirani (DDS), Golden Hills Community Church, Holy Rosary Church, Sail Bible Study group, Trokiando Truck Club, VFW Antioch, Antioch PAL, Antioch Rotary, White Pony Express and countless wonderful community members and businesses.

Chief Tammany Brooks was hand to greet all visitors and said this is his favorite event.

“I look forward to this every year,” he said. “It brings joy to my heart to see the members of my APD family come together and help those in need. I’m honored to be part of this department and this community.”

The APD has been working for weeks to organize the drive-through event and implement safety procedures.

“Everything went really well,” said Lt. Tarra Mendes, who helped coordinate the day.

Thanks again to all who made this a joyful and giving day for our city and help make the season brighter for many families.

(Please note: All were wearing masks except for the brief time for some photo opps.)

See more photos on the APD Facebook page.

 

Over 220 public comments, mostly in favor of rescinding the grant, of which about 80 were the same repeated message

By Anthony Dorado

During their Tuesday, Dec. 15 meeting, the Antioch City Council voted on a split, 3-2 vote to rescind the previous 3-2 vote to approve acceptance of a U.S. DOJ COPS Hiring Program Grant of $750,000 for six School Resource Officers (SRO’s). The council also approved of a series of virtual roundtable discussions on a broad range of topics pertaining to policing and racial disparities within policing. CORRECTION: In addition, the council discussed a $50 million budget increase for the Brackish Water Desalination Plant increasing it to $110 million, and the first construction contract of $87 million. But that was postponed until next Tuesday night. (See related article)

Rescind Grant for SRO’s

The most controversial item on the agenda was the reconsideration of the U.S. DOJ COPS Hiring Program Grant that would have provided for six new School Resource Officers in the City of Antioch. This appeared to be the only matter that the Council held split views on. While Council Members Barbanica and Ogorchock saw this as an important step towards building trust between the youth and the police, Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson, and Council Member Tamisha Torres-Walker did not believe this would adequately address the problem of youth violence and educational failure.

Council Member Mike Barbanica stressed his own personal relationship with an SRO growing up, detailing how they would, “play football together,” and how it was overall a, “positive experience.” He also detailed his time interviewing particular administrators and teachers in the area and expressed how he had not spoken with a single one of them that was against receiving this grant. Thorpe however recounted his own time as a schoolteacher and stressed the importance of, “not treating our young people with contempt,” and joining Wilson and Torres-Walker in the opinion that the community and schools should focus on greater mental health support and not policing.

In addition, the cost for the six SROs would not be completely covered by the grant. It would provide a total of $750,000 over the course of three years, at $250,000 each year. The city council and the Antioch School Board agreed that they would split the cost 50/50, but the net cost to the city by would be in excess of $2,000,000 for the fourth year as part of the agreement with the DOJ. The council members who opposed the grant did not believe it was money worth spending on the six additional police officers for the department.

While the Council may have been split, the community members voicing their opinions were not so divided. This particular item received 227 public comments, the vast majority were in opposition to the addition of SROs on the Antioch campuses, and about 80 of the comments were the same message verbatim. In the end, the community opinion alongside the opinion of the new council majority prevailed, and the resolution to rescind the grant was passed on a 3-2 vote, with Thorpe, Wilson and Torres-Walker voting in favor, and Ogorchock and Barbanica voting against.

Desalination Plant Budget Increase & Contract Approval Postponed

The second item on the agenda was the aforementioned approval of a budget increase on the Brackish Water Desalination Plant. While the City Council appeared ready to cast their votes on the matter, John Samuelson, the City Engineer for the City of Antioch, requested that the Council vote to postpone the matter to a later date and meeting on account of a further consideration of the bid protest against Shimmick Construction Company Inc. brought forward by Overaa Co.  The Council unanimously voted to postpone the vote to a later date to be determined.

Bridging the Gap Roundtable Discussions

The third item on the agenda was a serious of roundtable discussions, entitled Bridging the Gap, that are planned for 2021. These virtually held roundtable discussions, begun earlier this year, are intended to give Antioch residents the opportunity to voice their opinions on their own experiences and understanding of racial relationships and conflict within the realm of policing. The goal is to raise awareness of racial disparities within policing, to foster community engagement and unity, and to shine a light on the steps needed to move forward towards racial equity. They will be hosted by CNA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) with professional experience assisting public agencies in the realm of public safety services.

The council all voted in the affirmative, but not without particular hesitations. Barbanica was the first to voice his hesitation that this would turn out to be an, “academic exercise that led nowhere,” and Wilson also joined him in her concern that this would simply be a, “dog and pony show that led to no results.” While Ogorchock, Torres-Walker and Thorpe agreed, they decided they would nevertheless give the process a chance, as well. The dates for the roundtable discussions have yet to be specified, but are expected to be held sometime in early 2021. The council voted in favor of the series of online community meetings on a 5-0 vote.

Increase Council Chamber Remodel Budget to $1.9 Million

In other action, the council authorized a third amendment increasing the contract with Saboo Inc. for the City Hall Council Chambers Remodel by $147,983.84 totaling the contract to $1,862,008.15. This contract would utilize Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) funds. Accepting work and authorizing a Notice of Completion. This agenda passed with unanimous consent, concluding in a 5-0 vote in the affirmative.

Council Committee Appointments

The fifth and final item on the agenda was the appointment to City Council and Ad Hoc Committees. Thorpe appointed Barbanica and himself to the transitional housing committee stating that he would begin meeting mid-2021 once they had worked through some housing proposals for the homeless. Wilson will remain on the Cannabis Committee. Torres-Walker also expressed interest in participating on the Cannabis Committee. The City – School Board Committee appointments were left to be dealt with after the school board elects their new leadership, which is expected at their meeting, tonight. All appointments were approved on a 5-0 vote by the council.

All six positions are ready to be filled, today; Questions to both elected officials and city staff ignored

Desalination plant budget increase by $50 million and contract on agenda

Discussion on roundtable meetings on racial injustice and police-community relations also on agenda

By Allen Payton

During the first and special meeting of the new Antioch City Council, tonight, Tuesday, December 15, at 6:00 p.m., they will consider rescinding the vote by the previous council of accepting a federal grant to help fund six police officers on Antioch middle and high school campuses. The three-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Hiring Program, along with matching funds from the Antioch School District, approved by the school board, earlier this year, would pay for the officer. (See related article, here)

The issue was a matter of controversy when the school board considered voting on the matching funds, with the first meeting being interrupted by a protest, including protesters pounding on the windows and door, and even breaking into the school district offices during the meeting. That meeting was abruptly ended and continued a few days later during which the SRO’s were approved on a 3-2 vote. (See related articles, here, here and here)

In an email sent Sunday night to Mayor Lamar Thorpe he was asked, “while you voted against accepting the grant, during the campaign you repeatedly stated you are not for defunding police. Yet, if you now vote to rescind the approved $750,000 grant to help pay for six police officers on Antioch middle and high school campuses, aren’t you in effect voting to defund police?” He did not respond prior to publication time.

In addition, during a campaign interview Walker said, “Right now, everyone deserves quality policing services. If we are always in opposition…it’s because we’re not talking to each other” referring to the police and community. She was asked since the intent of the SRO’s is to create community policing on the campuses, and develop communication and relationships between Antioch police officers and students, why would she not want the SRO’s on the campuses? Walker did not respond.

Questions About Who Can Place the Item On Agenda and Others Go Unanswered

Additional questions were emailed Sunday night to City Attorney Thomas Smith, City Clerk Ellie Householder and City Manager Ron Bernal including how does it work within both state law and Robert’s Rules of Order for a council member to bring back something for reconsideration that was already passed/approved/adopted by the council?

If a motion fails, it takes one of those who voted for the motion to bring back the item for reconsideration. They were all asked does the same apply to an item that was approved? Who requested the item to be placed on Tuesday’s agenda? Was it Mayor Thorpe and/or another council member? Finally, what is the deadline for the city to rescind the funds?

Instead of answering the questions, on Monday morning, Householder referred them to the city’s Public Information Officer (PIO) Rolando Bonilla writing, “I’m CC’ing the City’s PIO, Rolando, to this email. He can address your questions.”

The same questions were sent again to the same four plus Thorpe, Monday night. But still no response.

Bonilla has not responded to the questions either in the 24 hours since he received them.

However, it was learned Tuesday morning from an official who chose to remain anonymous, that it was Thorpe who requested the item be placed on the agenda.

The question remains, if it requires someone who voted for the motion to bring it back for reconsideration, that could only be Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, because she’s the only remaining council member who voted for the grant, along with former Mayor Sean Wright and former Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, both of whom lost their bids for re-election.

Possible Open Meeting Law Violations

In  addition, it has been alleged that the state’s Brown Act open meeting law has been violated by both Mayor Lamar Thorpe and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Walker, for having serial meetings, which means speaking with more than one other council member about an agenda item before it’s discussed in public. It’s alleged that Thorpe spoke to both Walker and District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica. Walker is accused of also speaking to District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, after she spoke with Thorpe.

Although Thorpe, along with Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson voted against the council’s approval of the grant also on a 3-2 vote, he claimed repeatedly during his recent campaign that he was not for defunding police. Asked if a vote to rescind was, in effect, defunding police he responded,

Asked if he had spoken to both Walker and Barbanica about the SRO’s before tonight’s meeting, Thorpe did not respond to multiple attempts to contact him for this report.

When asked if she spoke with both Thorpe and Ogorchock about the agenda items Walker responded, “I took the oath of office December 7th and have not talked to anyone concerning this or any matter before the council.”

However, the Brown Act applies to candidates who were elected beginning on Election Night. So, a follow up question was asked if Walker had spoken to any other council member about the SRO’s since Election Night. She did not respond as of publication time.

An attempt to reach Ogorchock, asking if she had spoken to Walker about rescinding the grant for the SRO’s, but she too did not respond as of publication time. Attempt to reach Barbanica, asking if he had spoken to Thorpe about rescinding the grant for the SRO’s, were unsuccessful before publication time.

Hiring Process Has Already Started, All Six Positions Could Be Filled, Today

The hiring process for the six SRO’s has begun, according to Antioch Police Chief T Brooks. He was also asked if any of the grant money had been spent, yet, and if there is a deadline for rescinding the grant.

“We’ve already selected all six SRO’s, because they were all police officers with us, already,” he stated. “So, basically the grant is to hire additional positions. I am authorized 115 officers. With the grant, that would raise my sworn authorized to 121 because I would have had to create new positions for it. I would be able to pay for the new officers by using the grant money to offset the costs. The remaining portion is being split 50/50 with the school district.”

“They were interviewed and the interview process involved members of the police department, staff of the AUSD, teachers union and students,” Brooks explained. “They were all selected and chosen for which school they were going to work at. We were just waiting for the schools to open.”

“None of the grant money has been spent, yet,” he continued. Regarding the deadline he said he didn’t know.

“The grants actually became effective July 1, 2020. But we haven’t started drawing on them,” Brooks shared. “So, we would be able to extend it on the back end. The COPS office, due to the pandemic would allow us to apply for extensions for use of the funding.”

The department was authorized by the city council to overhire by five additional officers, earlier this year, for a total of 120 sworn officers who are currently on the force. Plus, there is one prospective officer currently in the academy. So, all six positions could be filled, today.

Desalination Plant Budget Increase & Construction Contract

In addition, the council will consider increasing the budget for the brackish water desalination plant by $50 million to a total of $110 million and approve the construction contract of $86,689,000.

Roundtable Meetings on Racial Injustice & Police-Community Relations

Plus, the council will be asked to provide direction to city staff on getting back on track the planned Bridging the Gap community roundtable discussions on racial injustice and police-community relations. The city has hired a consulting firm to help facilitate the virtual meetings. According to the staff report on the item, three roundtable discussions are proposed to begin early next year with the topics of 1) Police Oversight, Accountability and Transparency; 2) Racial Disparities in Policing; and 3) Police-Community Engagement.

Making a Public Comment

The item is number 4 on the council’s agenda. For those wanting to submit a public comment to be read during the meeting, click here or email cityclerk@ci.antioch.ca.us prior to the Mayor announcing that public comment is closed, and 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 (i.e. “Public Comments” or a specific Agenda Item number).

For those who want to call in and speak live during the public comment period on the item, click here. 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. The meeting can be viewed via livestream on the city’s website, or on Comcast/Xfinity local cable Channel 24 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Please check back later to any updates to this report.

 

 

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

Martinez, Calif. – On Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed felony child pornography charges against 41-year-old Antioch resident Shawn Jamison Prichard. Prichard is charged with three counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of aggravated possession of child pornography.

Aggravated possession is defined as any person who, with knowledge of its contents, possesses one hundred (100) or more separate materials depicting child pornography shall be, upon conviction, guilty of aggravated possession of child pornography.

On December 9, 2020, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant in the 2400 block of Mammoth Way in Antioch. During the service of the search warrant, several items of digital evidence were reviewed which contained child pornography. As a result, Prichard was taken into custody and booked the Martinez Detention Facility. Prichard’s bail was set by the court at $1,000,000. Prichard remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Prichard appeared in court for his arraignment on Friday December 11, 2020.

The Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Concord, Martinez, Brentwood and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Probation Department and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force along with Special Agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org for further information. If you believe your school or community organization would benefit from a smartphone and social media awareness presentation, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at DA-Office@contracostada.org.

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-8757 or dholcombe@contracostada.org.

Case information: People v. Prichard Docket Number 04-200770-6

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Started at Pittsburg gas station

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

Yesterday, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 a Contra Costa County jury returned a guilty verdict against defendants Tearri Richard and Lakia Poles, both 26-year-old residents of Tulare, California, for the murder of Raul Garcia during a road rage incident, last year. Richard faces a sentence of life without the possibility of parole and Poles faces 25 years to life. (See related article)

On September 1, 2019, the victim, Raul Garcia, of Oakland, and the defendants got into a verbal altercation in Pittsburg at the Chevron gas station at 1235 California Avenue after Poles’ car nearly hit the victim’s car. Poles, enraged at the victim, called her husband Richard to come to the scene. Richard proceeded to arrive at the scene, threatened to shoot and kill Garcia – he said he would “spray them all” and “we’re going to get you.”

Poles followed the victim’s car onto state Highway 4 eastbound as the victim desperately tried to elude her by driving aggressively back on to state Highway 4 westbound and then through city streets in Antioch. As the victim tried to flee from Poles, Poles was on the phone with her husband to keep him updated on their location. Richard in turn located the victim’s car and shot three bullets at Garcia’s vehicle on Putnam Street near Rio Grande Drive. One bullet struck Garcia in the back.

The case was investigated by the Antioch Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Aron DeFerrari prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. DDA DeFerrari is assigned to our Homicide Unit.

“We would like to thank the jurors who made sure justice was done in these difficult times,” stated DDA DeFerrari. “We would also like to commend the Antioch police department on an outstanding investigation, they went above and beyond in making sure Raul Garcia’s killers were brought to justice.”

Case information: People v. Tearri Richard and Lakia Poles, Docket Number 05-200114-7

 

By Antioch Police Department

You all may have seen our “Meet your Beat” posts where we introduce you all to our officers within the Police Department, so we thought we would do the same and introduce you to our newest 4-legged officer as well!!

Welcome K9 Nox to the Antioch Police Department’s K9 Unit! Nox is a two-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois that comes to us from the Netherlands. Nox just completed his training and today is his first day on the street! Nox will be with his new human partner and while also working patrol, he is Antioch PD’s first K9 that is trained in firearms detection work as well! We are excited to have him and wish him a long, healthy career!

Fun fact:

Nox likes toys……..like he really, really, really likes toys. So much so, you’re probably going to need to trick him with a second toy in order to get the first toy away from him.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at about 7:13 pm, Antioch Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to the canal between Lemontree and Manzanita Ways for a 43-year-old man down on the ground. The male had no pulse and was not breathing. Officers attempted life saving measures, but the victim was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.

The APD investigations bureau responded and took over this investigation. It was determined the victim and 30-year-old male suspect, both from Antioch, were involved in an argument and during the altercation the suspect struck the victim in the head and rendered him unconscious. The suspect left the area and did not seek medical attention for the victim. The victim was discovered about 20 minutes after the assault and the police and medical were called, but the victim had already died. The suspect was arrested for murder and booked into the County Jail in Martinez with bail set at $1,000,000.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Detective Cox at (925) 779-6866 or by emailing jcox@antiochca.gov or Detective Brogdon at (925) 779-6895 or by emailing cbrogdon@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Illegal drugs also confiscated from two suspects

By Antioch Police Department

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 at about 1:00 pm, the POP (Problem Oriented Policing) Team was patrolling the 2200-block of San Jose Drive, when they spotted a vehicle parked in an awkward position, making it difficult for other cars to maneuver around. When officers investigated further, they saw the driver appeared to be asleep at the wheel with the car still in drive. One slip off the brake could have ended badly for all those around, so officers placed their patrol cruiser in-front-of the vehicle to prevent a tragedy. Officers tapped on the window and woke the driver, who was quite surprised to see a couple of officers at his window. They noticed he had “BAPE” satchel across his chest and asked for permission to search, which revealed a loaded firearm inside. Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle is not allowed in our state, so he was placed under arrest accordingly.

About four hours later, POP officers were patrolling West 10th and K Streets when they spotted someone they knew had an outstanding felony warrant inside of a convenience store buying a lottery ticket. Realizing his luck was about to run out, said individual got a sudden case of the munchies, and started purchasing various snacks. Officers met him inside to discuss the warrant (and proper snacking) but saw he had something unusual sticking out of his waistband – a loaded firearm. His criminal history prohibited possession of firearms, so he was placed under arrest on weapon and drug possession charges, along with the outstanding warrant.

And finally, Thursday at around 11:00 am, POP Team officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle for several violations near East 18th and Hillcrest. The driver failed to stop and began driving recklessly, so officers decided to stop their chase, but continued to check the area. It was then officers found the vehicle had collided with three parked vehicles on Merrill Street, but the driver was nowhere to be found. Antioch Strong community members stepped up and told officers not only which way he went, but what he was wearing. A swarm of blue uniforms converged on the area and found our man hiding in a backyard. A loaded 9 mm pistol was also discovered along his flight path, so was sent to the County Jail for evading an officer and weapon charges.

How can you contact POP Team for help with crime near your home or business? I have two ways for you – you can email them at popteam@antiochca.gov or send an anonymous text tip to 274637 and use the keyword ANTIOCH.

Fans of APD – what do you think about the POP Team’s efforts to reduce crime and keep Antioch safe? #antiochpdca #apdpopteam #antiochstrong