Thinking Outside the Box: Leading the Way on Wildfire Protection for the Community

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District held a special briefing and tour at Anthony Chabot Regional Park on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, highlighting a first-of-its-kind fuels reduction project (365 acres) in the East Bay hills. The Park District’s wildfire fuels reduction project uses an innovative and climate-friendly carbonator to dispose of vegetation with extremely low emissions, rather than conventional open-pile burning or transporting it long distances in diesel trucks.

In the fall of 2020, while conducting ongoing vegetation management work, Park District staff noticed significant tree die-off in its parks. Further investigation identified over 1,500 acres of tree mortality within Regional Parks, mostly eucalyptus, but also bay and pine. While there are many contributing factors, the overarching cause is believed to be drought-stress due to climate change.

“We were facing a crisis,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina B. Landreth. “I directed staff to assess the situation quickly and come together with a plan of action, including obtaining the necessary funding to begin addressing the die-off.”

The Park District spans Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and manages 73 parks, 1,330 miles of trails, and over 125,000 acres. The District has its own fire department and fuels management crew.

“As the largest regional park district of its kind in the nation and a local wildfire prevention leader, we knew we needed to lead the way in finding solutions,” added Landreth.

Much of the identified tree die-off was within the Park District’s approved Wildfire Hazard Mitigation and Resource Management Plan, which meant environmental approvals for fuels reduction work were already in place. However, significant funding was needed.

In 2021, shortly after discovery of tree die-off, the District approached state officials for help addressing the situation, and the state responded with a critical $10 million direct appropriation from the legislature through Senator Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and then-Senator Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont. The total cost estimate to address the tree die-off issue is over $30 million.

 “For a public agency to get a $10 million direct appropriation in the state budget for a specific purpose is extraordinary,” said Landreth.

Groundbreaking, Environmentally Friendly Tool for Fuels Reduction

As efforts to secure funding proceeded, estimates also soared for removal costs and the amount of organic material (biomass) that would need to be disposed of. Adding to the complexity of the situation was the fact that removing so much dead and dying vegetation by traditional means required hauling it in trucks to plants that would burn it for fuel. Transporting the dead trees was cost-prohibitive, disruptive to the residential areas, and potentially dangerous. It would also create greenhouse gases and pollution, causing some of the same environmental factors leading to increasing wildfire risks and perhaps even tree die-off itself.

The innovative solution the Park District found for processing large amounts of biomass was a carbonator. The carbonator machine, a Tigercat 6050, resembles a trucking container with a box-like metal chamber. The device burns organic matter with very little oxygen and at very high temperatures (about 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit), which breaks down the molecules of organic matter into a smaller material called biochar. The process creates extremely low emissions.

The resulting biochar – essentially elemental carbon – provides benefits, such as enriching soil by improving its water retention or pH, accelerating composting of green waste, and filtering toxins from water. The carbonator, having never been used in a metropolitan area for biomass disposal at this scale, was tested as part of an 80-acre pilot project at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in 2022, with the lessons learned being shared with the state and other partner agencies facing similar challenges. When completed in March 2023, the pilot project proved to be a net positive, with only a tiny fraction of emissions compared to open-pile burning or hauling off-site.

“As a large regional park district with a full-time fire department and biologists and ecologists on staff, we can do work that other agencies can’t,” said Park District Fire Chief Aileen Theile.

“The carbonator is another tool for our toolbox to reduce wildfire risks and combat climate change. Going forward, up to half of the biomass removed from parks could be converted into biochar,” said Park District Assistant Fire Chief Khari Helae.

Based on the success of the pilot project, a major fuels reduction project is underway at Anthony Chabot Regional Park on 365 acres and including the use of a carbonator for biomass disposal. The project is using $7.5 million of the $10 million direct appropriation from the state legislature, plus federal funds of $1.5 million secured by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

The 365-acre project currently underway at Anthony Chabot Regional Park involves heavy equipment, including a felling team removing trees from the top down and a mastication team thinning vegetation and trees from the ground up. The resulting biochar is being used at the Park District’s Ardenwood Farms in Fremont to enhance soil health, improve water retention, and ultimately increase productivity.

The innovative, strong partnership approach to securing funding, the use of the carbonator in a pilot project and its subsequent use in a large-scale effort to reduce wildfire danger, and our desire to find a sustainable science-based solution in East Bay Regional Parks “is being seen as a model statewide, as well as nationally,” said Landreth.

“By doing this work now, we will gain a more sustainable eco-system in the long-term to benefit generations to come. We are working and planning for both now and the future, and we’re committed to playing the long game,” said Landreth.

The Park District’s leadership team, firefighters, scientists, park rangers, and dedicated staff across departments continue to focus on wildfire mitigation strategies and the innovative, large-scale fuels management program, all while seeking new partnerships and ways to protect the community.

Read the full-length feature article at www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/carbonator-feature-article.pdf.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

News from the East Bay Regional Park District

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, EBRPD

Wildfire safety is especially important in the fall, when hot, dry Diablo winds blow in from the east, creating potentially dangerous fire conditions. When in parks, be aware of fire warnings and follow all fire safety rules. Report any potential fire hazards immediately and call 911 if you see a fire.

The Park District is a leader in addressing the risks of wildfires and stands ready to fight fires if they occur. Year-round activities include thinning and removing hazardous vegetation from parks, maintaining a professionally trained fire department with specialized wildland firefighting equipment, operating two helicopters with firefighting capabilities, and closely monitoring fire weather conditions.

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Habitat restoration is underway at Briones Regional Park as part of the Park District’s Briones Pilot Project, a two-year project testing various trail management strategies to enhance visitor experience, reduce conflicts, improve trail safety, and protect natural habitat and wildlife. Restoring illegally built “bootleg” trails is a critical component of the project.

Key pilot project strategies include:

1. Four Bike-Only/Downhill-Only Trails – Four trail sections have been designated bike-only and downhill-only due to terrain and user safety.
2. Dedicated Odd/Even Weekend Day Access – On odd-numbered weekend days, bikers and hikers are allowed on designated trails with no horses allowed. On even-numbered weekend days, horses and hikers are allowed on designated trails, with no bikes allowed. Hikers are permitted on all days on most trails in the pilot zone.
3. Bootleg Trail Restoration – Restoration of illegally built “bootleg” trails has begun. Bootleg trails often damage natural habitat for wildlife, including endangered and sensitive species.

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The Park District and the community recently celebrated the completion of a new SF Bay Trail segment and boat launch renovations at Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, which significantly improves safety and access to the shoreline for neighboring communities. The new SF Bay Trail section, located along Doolittle Drivein Oakland, provides safe passage for users, who can now walk, ride, or roll on 2,300 feet of new trail rather than the open shoulder of busy Doolittle Drive.

The project also upgraded the boat launch staging area adjacent to the trail, including a repaved staging area parking lot and renovated ADA-accessible boat, kayak, and paddleboard launch area. The project also restored one acre of marsh habitat.

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Public access improvement and habitat restoration are coming soon to Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont on 300 acres donated to the Regional Parks Foundation and passed through to the Park District to expand Coyote Hills Regional Park.The project restores habitat and provides balanced public access to approximately 200 acres, including seasonal wetlands, grassland, riparian forest, and oak savanna. New visitor facilities include an additional 100-space parking area, picnic tables, restrooms, water fountains, new and improved trails, wildlife overlooks, and educational exhibits and signage. The project is expected to open in 2024.

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Tarantulas are out and about looking for love in Regional Parks. In the fall, you may encounter male tarantulas along the trails as they venture out in search of mates. Although tarantulas can look scary with their large size and furry bodies, they are actually gentle giants and are harmless to humans. The best parks to spot tarantulas at are Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Del Valle Regional Park, and Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve.

The Park District also has a number of naturalist-led programs in October that are focused on tarantulas. For a complete list of programs, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “tarantula.”

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Gain a deeper understanding of the local Indigenous Peoples past, present, and future at the Gathering of Ohlone Peoples on Sunday, October 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Park District falls within the homelands of about 25 tribes of Native peoples, who speak variants of two Ohlone languages (East Bay Costanoan and Karkin) and the Bay Miwok and Delta Yokuts languages. European settlement brought severe disruption, dislocation, and suffering to the Ohlone peoples.

Join Ohlone Peoples from diverse tribal communities as they share their living history through music, song, dance, and stories. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/Gathering-of-Ohlone-Peoples.

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Explore nature at your own pace and in your own way at Big Break Visitor Center’s 2023 All Abilities Day on Tuesday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Travel along paved trails to visit stations to touch fur, listen to birds, draw wildlife, sit on benches to scan the water, or paint the view. The program is inclusive for all abilities, offering something for everyone! American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters on site. Wheelchair accessible. Drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/all-abilities-day.

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Enjoy “Fall on the Farm” at the Ardenwood Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy old-time country fun as you help bring in this year’s crop of corn. Outside the field, enjoy seasonal activities, cider pressing, old-time music, and historic crafts. Ride a narrow-gauge train and learn what late 19th-century life was like on a tour of the beautifully restored farmhouse. Please bring a bag if you would like to take home some of your harvested corn. $12/adults, $10/seniors, $8/children ages 4-17, ages 3 and under free. Advance registration is available. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Harvest Festival.”

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History comes alive with games, activities, and music at the Sunol Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sunol Visitor Center. Celebrate the diverse heritage of the Sunol Wilderness at this fun festival for all ages! Free event. Parking is $5. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/events/sunol-heritage-festival

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Visit Ardenwood’s ‘Haunted Train’ for a frightfully fun nighttime ride through Ardenwood’s haunted forest. The ride is spooky, not scary, and is designed especially for children under 12 and those young at heart. Tickets for this event sell out fast! Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Beginning October 20) and Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 900 p.m. (beginning October 22). $15/person ages 3+. ‘Haunted Train’ is operated by the Railroad Museum at Ardenwood. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/events/haunted-railroad.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

During the East Bay Leadership Council’s Installation Awards dinner on August 9, 2023 Kaiser Permanente Diablo was presented with the East Bay Leadership Medal. It is the highest honor to an organization recognizing outstanding service in support of the Council and the broader East Bay community. Kaiser Permanente currently is the third East Bay employer to receive this honor twice since the award was founded in 1987.

Kaiser Permanente Diablo includes locations in Antioch, Dublin, Livermore, Martinez, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

The Council offered the following about the honorees and the evening: “Kaiser Permanente is not only a world-class health system and one of the East Bay’s largest employers, but a force for generosity spanning from affordable housing construction to gun violence prevention. On top of it all, Kaiser has supported the East Bay Leadership Council’s mission through sponsorships and staff volunteerism that continues to expand our impact and reach as an organization. We are honored to present Kaiser with our top organizational award.”

By East Bay Leadership Council

The sold-out event featured inspiring words from the honorees — Chadi Chazbek, Bielle Moore and Kaiser Permanente — who have all been influential in fostering a thriving East Bay community.

In his opening remarks, EBLC’s President & CEO, Mark Orcutt, shared what is at the heart of the EBLC community, “You would not be here tonight if you were hopeless and disinterested in taking on the challenges we face as a region. You are here because you believe as I do that a group of well-informed and driven leaders can change the world.”

Past Chair Leo Scott passed the baton to Peggy White, who expressed why she is excited to take on the role of Chair of the Board, “The hallmark of my career has been putting my passion and energy into causes that I care deeply about. And I care deeply about the Council’s mission to make the region a better place to live and work.”

It was an inspiring and heartwarming evening, full of appreciation and recognition for the important work being done to make the East Bay a place where businesses and residents thrive.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this uplifting event possible and thank you to our board and community members for your ongoing commitment to EBLC. We are excited for the year ahead!

More information about the East Bay Leadership Council Awards night can be viewed here:

https://eastbayleadershipcouncil.com/news/installation-awards-recap-photos-and-more

For more information about the EBLC visit East Bay Leadership Council.

Allen D. Payton and Antonia Ehlers of Kaiser Permanente contributed to this report.

U.S. Marshals assist

By Oakland Police Department

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) has arrested Malik Jelks of Oakland for the homicide of Jemilen Enoch. The incident occurred on March 19, 2023, in the 1000 block of 82nd Avenue.

Thanks to the tireless and collaborative efforts of OPD Homicide Investigators and the US Marshals, Jelks was safely taken into custody on Monday in Antioch. 

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has charged Jelks for his involvement in the crime.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department of August 31, 5-foot-7-inch, 130-pound suspect is in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. He is charged with involuntary manslaughter and has a plea hearing scheduled for Sept. 6 at 9:00 AM in the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse Dept. 112 in Oakland. Jelks’ bail is set at $200,000.

Background:  
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on March 19, 2023, in the 1000 block of 82nd Avenue, just before 9:30 PM. When officers arrived, they located a victim who had sustained a gunshot wound(s). Oakland Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.

Investigators from the OPD Homicide Section responded to the scene to take over the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the homicide.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510) 238-7950.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

News from the East Bay Regional Park District

Learn about the untold stories of Somersville at the History Hike Above the Mines on Sept. 17 at Black Diamond Mine

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

Peak fire season – September and October – is fast approaching. The East Bay Regional Park District and its professionally trained fire department have been working throughout the year to reduce wildfire risks, including thinning and removing hazardous vegetation from parks and using cattle, sheep, and goats to keep grass in check.

Park District firefighters are always on the lookout for potential fires, and park visitors can help by practicing basic fire safety and reporting any suspicious or dangerous activity.

Fire safety visitor tips:

• Do not smoke in the regional parks, including vaping.

• Be aware of Red Flag Warnings and fire danger levels.

• Follow all fire safety rules.

• Do not drive or park on dry grass. Hot exhaust manifolds can start a fire.

• Be alert for any potential fire hazards and report them. If you see a fire, call 911 immediately.

Days of the Pioneers at Lake Del Valle in Livermore Friday, September 1. What was Del Valle like before the lake? Discover the valley’s history through hands on activities and stories during this family campfire.7:30-9pm, Friday, September 1st. Meet at Del Valle Amphitheater. Drop-in program, no registration. $6 Parking Fee.

For train lovers, join us at the Ardenwood Rail Fair in Fremont on Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy train rides, operating model trains, historic railroad equipment displays, and live music September 2-4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Rail Fair is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Railroad Museum at Ardenwood Historic Farm, which is operated by the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources. Entrance fee is $15/adults, $13/seniors, $12/children ages 4-17. Children ages 3 and under are free.

It’s calving season in East Bay Regional Parks. Be mindful of interactions that can create a danger to both calves and people. Grazing cattle play an important role in wildfire protection by reducing flammable vegetation and fire risks. Calving season runs from August to October in Regional Parks.

What to do around cattle for your safety and theirs:

• Do not approach or touch baby calves. Do not take selfies with calves.
• Do not get between a mother cow and its calf.
• Do not worry if you see a calf by itself. The mother cow is usually nearby and will return.
• Leash your dog around cattle and keep them away from calves.

An Orchard-inary adventure awaits at the annual Garin Apple Festival on September 9 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take a bite out of local history and nature as you explore the historic apple orchard, enjoy live music, attend special talks and presentations, and participate in hand-on demonstrations at Garin Regional Park in Hayward. Parking is $5 per vehicle. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar.

Learn about the untold stories of the Somersville at the History Hike Above the Mines on September 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Black Diamond Mine. From the 1850s to the early 1900s, the Mount Diablo Coal Field was the largest coal mining operation in California and the population center of Contra Costa County. Deep within the earth, miners excavated the valuable namesake of the park – “black diamonds” or coal – to support the state’s growing energy demands.

Somersville was one of five mining towns in the area and supported a thriving community of almost 1,000 residents. Although no buildings from the coal mining era remain, there is still evidence of the Somersville community, including artifacts, photographs, census records, newspaper articles, and oral histories.

Naturalists will lead the two-to-three-mile History Hike Above the Mines and provide information about the area’s coal and sand mining history. The program is best for ages seven and up. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a snack and plenty of water. Meet at the Upper Parking Lot. More programs are scheduled in October. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “mines.”

Join the Park District in commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 with programs and events celebrating the contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. Programs include a Hispanic Heritage Month Hike on September 17, at 10:00 a.m. at Garin Regional Park. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month activities, visit www.ebparks.org/hispanic-heritage-month.

California’s 39th annual Coastal Cleanup Day is set for September 23. Each year, over 70,000 volunteers help clear debris and remove trash from California waterways, including lakes, creeks, rivers, and shorelines. The Park District has identified 10 cleanup sites within its parks: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Robert W Crown Regional Shoreline, Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Del Valle Regional Park, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, and Hayward Regional Shoreline. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/get-involved/volunteer/coastal-cleanup.

Celebrate International Day of Peace with the Park District at a community event at Lake Chabot Regional Park on Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals – a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. The UN established International Day of Peace in 1981 to encourage 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire, and to practice kindness and compassion.

Sign up for the Park District’s monthly e-newsletter for more information about park events, programs, and openings. To sign up, visit www.ebparks.org/form/newsletter-sign-up.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

News from the East Bay Regional Park District

By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist, EBRPD

Visitor safety is always important for the East Bay Regional Park District, especially during times of excessive heat. Beat the heat in Regional Parks by preparing in advance for your adventure. Before heading out, make sure you check the weather and pay close attention to any heat advisories and warnings.

Here are some tips to stay safe when visiting Regional Parks on hot days:

•      Stay hydrated and bring plenty of water.

•      Stay cool by wearing a hat and loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.

•      Avoid the hottest part of the day. If you do visit, go in the morning or early evening when it is cooler.

•      Those vulnerable to heat should consider visiting on days when it is less hot.

•      Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen the heat’s effects on your body.

•      Don’t forget your pets! Bring water for them, as water from streams or ponds is not always available or safe to drink.

Whenever it’s hot, fire safety is essential. Visitors must follow all fire safety rules, including no fireworks and no smoking anywhere in parks. Visit the Park District’s Alerts/Closures page (www.ebparks.org/alerts) for Fire Danger Level notices.

Regional Parks with cool weather and shady trails offer an escape from the summer heat. Here are some great options: Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Richmond), Tilden Regional Park (Berkeley), Briones Regional Park (Lafayette, Martinez), George Miller Jr. Trail (Martinez to Port Costa), Diablo Foothills Regional Park (Walnut Creek, Concord, Alamo), Big Break Regional Shoreline (Oakley), Las Trampas Regional Wilderness (San Ramon), Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (Oakland), Crown Memorial State Beach (Alameda), Coyote Hills Regional Park (Fremont), Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve (Sunol). For more info, visit www.ebparks.org/visit/shady-hikes-cooler-parks.

Three Beat-the-Heat Hikes are scheduled in August at Black Diamond Regional Preserve and Del Valle Regional Park. At Black Diamond, enjoy a morning stroll up the shaded Chaparral loop on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Get some exercise and learn how chaparral survives the hot and dry summer months. At Del Valle, enjoy moderate morning hike on Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 8:30-11:00 am and Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. along the East Shore Trail, with oak woodlands and beautiful views of Lake Del Valle. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Beat the Heat Hikes.”

Looking for a “Cool” activity? The Coal Mine Experience at Black Diamond Mines takes visitors deep beneath the surface to a time when coal powered California. The interactive and immersive experience transports visitors back in time with the sights and sounds of an active 1870s-era coal mine, with stories of the toils, triumphs, and tragedies embedded under the hills.

The Coal Mine Experience is located inside the Hazel-Atlas Mine at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve where temperatures are in the mid-50’s year-round, so bring a jacket or wear layered clothing.

Registration is required. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Coal Mine Experience.” All participants must be age 7 or older, and parent participation is required. Hard hats are required and provided.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Launches new system; sign up to receive updates

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District has launched a new system to make information about police and fire activity more accessible to the public. The system also includes an interactive webpage with near real-time mapping of police and fire activity, including location, date and time, a general description, and outcome. The new system also allows the public to sign up for daily or weekly email updates with a summary of public safety activity and links to more information.

The new system is provided by Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – Citizen RIMS and housed on Crimegraphics.com, which integrates with the Park District’s existing Public Safety Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS). The new system allows updates to be emailed out automatically rather than manually by public safety staff, increasing efficiency and allowing staff to focus on other important activities.

Most importantly, the new system increases public transparency by making disclosable public safety activity information more accessible. The system allows any member of the public to access near real-time public safety activity mapping information and sign up for daily or weekly email updates.

Access to daily or weekly updates is available via an easy one-time sign-up process. Email addresses are entered into Citizen RIMS / crimegraphics.com and will only be used to send email update to subscribers.

To learn more and sign up for these updates, visit www.ebparks.org/public-safety/activity.

User Notice:

Access to disclosable public safety activity information is provided as a public service from the East Bay Regional Park District and subject to applicable terms of use. To protect privacy, the Crimegraphics.com website does not provide information regarding juvenile offenders, or specific information regarding calls for service that are protected by confidentiality laws or sensitive in nature. The East Bay Regional Park District does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained on this website regarding specific incidents, crimes, or people with respect to the omission of information that may have not yet been filed or is pending filing with a court(s) of jurisdiction relating to criminal offenses.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

2 more from Pittsburg, 2 from Bay Point

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO – Thirteen defendants were indicted on narcotics trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris D. Nielsen.  The indictment follows the arrest of five of the defendants on April 30, 2019, and the execution of search warrants at thirteen locations, including nine residences in Contra Costa County, Humboldt County, Fairfield, Suisun City and Modesto.  

Three defendants are from Antioch including 66-year-old Lorenzo Lee, 63-year-old Deborah Polk and 40-year-old Timothy Peoples. Two others from Pittsburg were indicted, 46-year-old Jeffrey McCoy and 38-year-old Deshawnte Gamboa, as well as 57-year-old Anthony Brown and 26-year-old Evan Martinez-Diaz, both of Bay Point

All thirteen defendants were charged in a single indictment which charges controlled substance offenses involving methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base. The defendants and the charges pending against them are as follows:

Defendant	Age	Residence	Charges	Maximum Statutory Penalty
LORENZO LEE, a/k/a “O.G.”	66	Antioch, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
			Distribution of and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Including Cocaine, Cocaine Base, Methamphetamine, and Heroin (Counts 4, 7, and 13-15)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
JEFFREY MCCOY	46	Pittsburg, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Distribution of Controlled Substances, Including Cocaine Base, Cocaine, and Heroin (Counts 2-7 and 9)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
ANTHONY BROWN, a/k/a “Ant Man”	57	Bay Point, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Distribution of Cocaine Base   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Count 7)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
DESHAWNTE GAMBOA	38	Pittsburg, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Distribution of Heroin (Count 9)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
DEBORAH POLK	63	Antioch, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (Count 15)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
			Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Count 16)   21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(2)	20 years imprisonment   3 years supervised release   $500,000 fine
EVAN MARTINEZ-DIAZ	26	Bay Point, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
			Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine (Counts 13 and 14)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
MAGO AGUILAR-PACHECO	38	West Covina, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine
CESAR ALVARADO	38	Desert Springs, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
			Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, and Methamphetamine (Counts 11-14)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
JESSE LOPEZ, III	30	Fowler, California	Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (Count 8)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
JOSE DELGADILLO, a/k/a “Tepa”	41	Fairfield, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Counts 1 and 10)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
MARCO DELGADILLO, a/k/a “Tonio”	39	Fairfield, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 10)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
LUIS TORRES-GARCIA, a/k/a “Guero”	33	Rio Dell, California	Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 10)   21 U.S.C. § 846	Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life   Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life   $10 million fine
TIMOTHY PEOPLES, a/k/a “Tee”	40	Antioch, California	Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine Base (Counts 17 and 18)   21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment   Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life   $5 million fine

The defendants arrested on April 30, 2019, were originally charged by complaint.  The complaints have been unsealed.  Eight defendants were charged in complaints that were supported by an affidavit describing the underlying investigation (the Affidavit).  In addition, a separate complaint was filed against defendant Timothy Peoples, and that complaint has been unsealed as well.

According to the Affidavit, this investigation started in 2017 and involved the DEA, the United States Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Antioch Police Department, Oakley Police Department, and Concord Police Department.  In 2017 and 2018, the investigators used informants to conduct a series of purchases of cocaine, cocaine base and heroin from JEFFREY MCCOY.  In furtherance of their investigation, the agents also obtained federal wiretap orders in 2018 and 2019 to monitor communications over telephones used by the conspirators.

According to the Affidavit, the agents also seized significant quantities of narcotics from various defendants during the investigation.  The following chart summarizes the seizures, which are discussed in more detail in the Affidavit: 

DATE	SEIZED	CIRCUMSTANCES
5/15/2018	4 kg of heroin mixed with fentanyl and $46,000	Seized from courier after leaving LEE’s residence
8/8/2018	18 lbs of methamphetamine	Seized en route to TORRES-GARCIA from Jose DELGADILLO
1/26/2019	2 kg of cocaine	Seized en route to meeting point with LEE
2/9/2019	7 kg of narcotics and $104,505	Seized from courier after leaving LEE’s residence
2/9/2019	20 lbs of methamphetamine and 1 kg of cocaine	Discarded from courier’s vehicle after leaving LEE’s residence

In addition, any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. 

This case was investigated and prosecuted by member agencies of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.