By Monique Binkley Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

Sutter Delta Medical Center is pleased to announce that Harish Rengarajan, M.D., MBA, will join the organization as its new chief medical executive on Monday, February 9. Dr. Rengarajan will work alongside Sutter Delta CEO Trevor Brand as a dyad partner, strengthening clinical leadership and supporting the hospital’s mission to serve the East Contra Costa community with compassionate, high‑quality care.

Dr. Rengarajan brings a strong background in medical education, clinical quality and physician engagement to his new role. He currently serves as program director for the Internal Medicine and Transitional Year Residency Programs at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, where he has helped build and launch ACGME‑accredited training programs that integrate residents into frontline care. His leadership has supported physician development, enhanced care coordination and advanced safety and quality initiatives that benefit patients and care teams alike.

Before joining Sutter Health, Dr. Rengarajan served as associate chief medical officer at St. Mary’s General Hospital in New Jersey and held leadership roles with New York Medical College, St. Clare’s Health and Northwell Health in New York. Across these organizations, he led work to improve patient experience, reduce readmissions, streamline care teams, strengthen documentation integrity and build physician wellness programs. His career reflects a deep commitment to patient‑centered care and collaborative partnerships across clinical and administrative teams. (See Dr. Rengarajan’s LinkedIn profile for more details)

Dr. Rengarajan earned his medical degree from Pondicherry University in India, completed his internal medicine residency at Chicago Medical School and holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is board certified in internal medicine.

Sutter Delta looks forward to welcoming Dr. Rengarajan as he steps into this key leadership role and continues the hospital’s ongoing work to support the health and well‑being of the Delta community.

By Oakland Police Department

Vehicles from Solano County, Antioch and Manteca were seized after being involved in illegal sideshow activity and evading officers in Oakland.

With the assistance of the Flock Camera System, Oakland Police Department investigators have identified and seized 16 vehicles so far this year. In 2025, 195 vehicles were towed, and 23 arrests were made for police evasion, reckless driving, and illegal sideshow activity in Oakland.

OPD remains focused on preventing this dangerous and illegal activity that puts the entire community at risk. Investigators are actively working to identify those responsible and hold participants accountable.

We continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to prevent and reduce these dangerous activities. Participation in illegal sideshows in Oakland may result in your vehicle being towed and seized with a 30-day hold.

OPD remains committed to protecting Oakland’s streets and public safety.

Systemwide property crime down 43%, auto thefts decrease by half, robberies by 60%; aggravated assaults up 12%; smaller decreases in Contra Costa County

By San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District

Crime on BART plummeted in 2025, a testament to the hard work of the BART Police Department and the effectiveness of BART’s investment in initiatives and infrastructure that both increase safety and enhance the customer experience.  

Overall crime on BART dropped 41% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with violent crime down 31% and property crime down 43%, according to the December 2025 Chief’s Monthly Report. Additional highlights include auto thefts decreasing by half year over year and robberies decreasing by 60%. The only crime category to see an increase was aggravated assaults which were up 12% over 2024.

In Contra Costa County violent crime was down 24.6% from 61 incidents to 46 and property crime decreased 34.3% from 443 incidents to 291. The only category to increase was burglary structural with 50% more incidents from six to nine.

This substantial decrease in crimes in the system comes as ridership continues to grow steadily, with BART serving nearly 5 million more trips in 2025 than 2024, a year that also saw  ridership growth in addition to a drop in crime.  

“Safety is about more than enforcement. It’s about presence, partnership, and creating an environment where all riders feel comfortable using BART,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “BART PD is committed to deterring criminal activity, responding quickly when help is needed, and ensuring riders feel safe throughout their journeys. These numbers demonstrate the impact of officers who are engaged and focused on building trust with the communities BART serves.” 

“Riders are witnessing firsthand the improvements to safety, cleanliness, and customer experience that define the New BART,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “We’ve combined infrastructure upgrades, such as improved fare gates and station lighting, with additional safety presence and customer-centered service to make BART a comfortable experience for everyone who rides. I want to thank BART PD for their tireless commitment to serving the public.”  

BART PD boosted the visible safety presence in the system by doubling officer presence systemwide and ensuring police are riding trains more. This approach is strengthened by BART’s ongoing use of unarmed Crisis Intervention Specialists, Transit Ambassadors, Fare Inspectors, and Community Service Officers.  

Safety efforts were also bolstered by the installation of 715 new fare gates at all 50 stations, a project completed in August 2025, four months ahead of schedule. The taller, stronger fare gates are improving the station environment and deterring fare evasion and unwanted behavior. The number of riders who say they’ve witnessed someone not paying has dropped 59% in the last year.  

BART also maintains a network of 4,000+ surveillance cameras, minimizing response time and holding suspects accountable, and continues to install LED lighting on platforms and in parking facilities to eliminate dark corners. Efforts such as these not only improve safety, but the entirety of the BART experience by making the system more welcoming and comfortable.  

In 2025, BART PD continued its robust officer recruitment campaign with a $15,000 hiring bonus ($5,000 upon hire and $10,000 upon completion of the Field Training Program) for laterals and academy graduates and a robust outreach strategy, including a dedicated JoinBARTPD.com recruitment site and the recent launch of a  BART PD Instagram to reach potential recruits where they are.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Citizen RIMS includes calls for service, arrests, racial & identity profiling stats, security camera registration, extra patrol requests

Uses state-required politically charged terms including “Cisgender”, “Latinex” in Demographics of Stopped Individuals

By Allen D. Payton

According to an announcement issued by Lt. Mike Mellone of the Field Services Division, the Antioch Police Department (APD) is expanding public access to public safety information with the launch of Citizen RIMS, an online portal designed to promote open and honest communication and increase community awareness.

Citizen RIMS, which stands for Records and Incident Management System, a product of Sunridge Systems, is an interactive mapping and information platform that allows businesses, community members and stakeholders to view selected, disclosable public safety information by location, date range and incident type — while safeguarding privacy and protecting the integrity of active investigations.

What the Public Can View and Request Through Citizen RIMS

Through the portal, community members can:

• View recent calls for service and incident activity displayed on an interactive map
• View recent arrests published for public awareness
• View stop-data statistics reported under California’s Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)
• Voluntarily register home or business security cameras
• Request extra patrols in an area, as staffing levels and call volume allow

Important Information About Portal Content

Citizen RIMS is intended to provide helpful, general public information; however, it does not display every incident or every detail. Certain information may be limited or excluded due to victim privacy considerations, confidentiality laws, or legal restrictions. Locations shown are approximate and intended for general awareness only. Information may be updated on a scheduled basis and may not reflect real-time operational activity

Recent Arrests: Arrest information is provided for public information purposes only. An arrest does not constitute a conviction. Charges and case status may change as investigations continue and cases move through the court process.

RIPA Stop-Data Statistics: Stop data is presented in a summarized, statistical format to help the community understand trends in traffic and pedestrian stops and to support transparency and accountability. The portal does not display confidential or personally identifying information.

About the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)

According to the APD Citizen RIMS site, “The Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015 (RIPA) is a California state law that requires law enforcement agencies to collect and report information on all traffic and pedestrian stops. The law is intended to increase transparency, address concerns about racial and identity profiling, and promote accountability in policing. Data collected includes the reason for the stop, actions taken, and the officer’s perception of the individual’s demographic characteristics. The California Department of Justice analyzes and publishes this information in statewide reports.”

Gender, Racial Terms Used

Demographics for Stopped Individuals provided in the Stop Data Statistics show categories labeled Cisgender man/boy, Cisgender woman/girl, Nonbinary, Transgender man/boy and Transgender woman/girl and charts for Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latine(x), Middle Eastern or South Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander and White.

APD Says Terms are State Mandated

Questions were sent to Chief Joe Vigil, Captain Desmond Bittner and Lt. Mike Mellone. Vigil is out of the office until next Monday.

They were asked if the terms are required by state law or FBI for reporting, if APD selected them or were they pre-loaded by Sunridge Systems, and if they can be changed are they willing. The three were also asked why not instead use the term “Biological” which more people understand and since most Hispanics and Latinos do not use the term “Latinex” and some find it offensive, why not instead use “Hispanic/Latino/a”.

Bittner responded, “Those terms are reporting requirements set by the California Department of Justice. I attached one of CAL DOJs reporting requirement updates from 2024 for reference.” (See pages 7-9 of RIPA Text of Modified Regulations)

2025 Statistics

For 2025, the report of shows of those stopped 38.4% were Black/African American, 28.8% were Hispanic/Latine(x), 24.9% were White, 3.9% were Asian, 3.2% were Middle Eastern/South Asian, 1% were Pacific Islander and 0.1% were Native American.

The Stop Data Statistics page provides additional detailed reports, including one entitled, “What are the reasons for stops?” That includes Reasons for Stops and Traffic Violation Type both by ethnicity and by gender identity. A third drop down report entitled, “What are the actions taken during stops” includes Actions Taken During Stops, Search Rates and Discovery Rates, also broken down by ethnicity and gender identity.

The Antioch Citizen RIMS portal is available at: https://antiochpd.citizenrims.com and is one of several tools APD uses to share information with the community.

For crimes in progress or emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency police services, call (925) 778-2441.

At least the 19th arrest, 13th by Antioch PD since 2014 for 37-year-old Robert Lay

By Allen D. Payton

In response to a resident witnessing police action on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 27, 2026, Antioch Police Lt. Michael Mellone of the Field Services Division explained, a “traffic stop for a red light turned into an arrest for meth possession and driving on a suspended license.”

The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Hillcrest Crossings Shopping Center, off Deer Valley Road, between the Safeway gas station and Taco Bell.

Police arrested Robert Anthony Lay, a 37-year-old male from Antioch, Mellone shared.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, born 11/16/1988, the six-foot, two-inch tall, 200-pound suspect was arrested at 1:27 p.m., is Hispanic but also listed as White, and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on no bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, it’s at least the 19th time Lay has been arrested since 2014 and 13 of those were by Antioch Police. He faced charges for hit-and-run, vehicle theft, possession of burglar’s tools, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism and multiple charges of receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license for drunk driving, possession of a controlled substance, including for sale and bringing a controlled substance into a prison, plus, possession of drug paraphernalia and revocation of probation.

According to the Herald’s archives, – On 10/5/2015 at 5:10 p.m., an officer was patrolling near Lemontree and Peppertree Way and saw 26-year-old Robert Lay driving recklessly though the area. Lay continued to drive erratically while the officer attempted to catch up to him. Lay hit a parked car and eventually pulled into the 76 gas station on Contra Loma Blvd. Officers made contact with Lay and detained him. A records check revealed he had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for the charge of possession of stolen property. Lay was arrested for the warrant, hit and run and reckless driving. Lay’s vehicle was impounded and he was booked at the county jail.

The Herald thanks the resident for the photo of the scene and information about the arrest.

To expand access to justice countywide

By Brian Nash, PIO, Contra Costa Public Defender’s Office

MARTINEZ, CA — Stand Together Contra Costa (STCC), a program of the Contra Costa Public Defender’s Office (CCPD), will unveil a new Mobile Legal Clinic at a press conference at 1026 Escobar in Martinez on Thursday, January 29 at 11:00 am. This marks a major step forward in bringing trusted legal advice directly to communities across Contra Costa County.

The Mobile Legal Clinic is designed to remove barriers that often prevent people from accessing legal help — including transportation challenges, work schedules, childcare responsibilities, language access, and fear of state violence by federal immigration agents. Staffed by CCPD attorneys and support staff, the clinic will provide free legal guidance on immigration legal issues, navigating the legal system, and culturally responsive assistance. It will also provide navigation to other holistic services such as public benefits, housing support, clean slate, and more — helping residents address concerns early, before problems escalate into crises.

“This mobile legal clinic reflects a simple but powerful idea: justice works best when it’s accessible,” said Ali Saidi, a Deputy Public Defender in the CCPD and the Director of Stand Together Contra Costa. “By showing up directly in neighborhoods across the county, we’re removing barriers, building trust, and making sure people know they’re not alone when legal issues arise.”

The office is planning upcoming mobile legal clinic deployments throughout all five Contra Costa County supervisorial districts beginning in early February, with dates, times, and locations to be announced soon through Contra Costa Public Defender and Stand Together Contra Costa channels.

A Countywide Effort

“Our commitment to serving community members in Contra Costa County goes beyond our vigorous advocacy inside of the courtroom,” added CCPD Public Defender Ellen McDonnell. “Access to justice means making sure every community member — no matter their income, background, or neighborhood — understands their legal rights and is able to find help when and where they need it.”

The Mobile Legal Clinic was made possible through collaboration across county departments and community partners, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to justice.

“This initiative demonstrates what’s possible when county leaders and departments work together with the community,” Saidi continued. “We’re grateful to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and community partners for making this possible and want to particularly thank Supervisor Ken Carlson — whose support and leadership helped turn this idea into a critical service that will have real impact for families across the county.”

824,000 students across 1,970 Golden State schools participate in events and activities to raise awareness of education options

By Lauren Forte, Manager of Communications, National School Choice Awareness Foundation

SACRAMENTO– More than 1,970 California schools will host special events this week—all designed to help parents learn more about the K–12 education options available for their children. The events are planned to coincide with National School Choice Week (schoolchoiceweek.com), which runs from January 25–31, 2026.

Events will include open houses, parent information sessions, award ceremonies, service projects, and skill-building contests—each aimed at celebrating students and teachers while helping families discover the many learning opportunities in their communities. To raise statewide awareness, Oakland Enrolls will host a charter school fair at Lazear Charter School in Oakland (1/31/26), and La Unión de Padres will host a school fair at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana (1/31/26).

National School Choice Week is organized by the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation and shines a positive spotlight on the benefits of choice and opportunity in K–12 education.

“California offers some education options, particularly public charter, magnet, and online schools, but barriers like limited open enrollment and restrictions on public charter growth continue to curtail options for families,” said Noelle Delaney, the California-based Chief Operating Officer of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “As school choice becomes the new normal across the country, our goal is to make sure California parents have timely, accurate, and jargon-free information—so they can understand their options and feel confident navigating them.”

Parents in the Golden State can select traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, homeschooling and microschooling and mix-and-match learning for their kids.

“California families are actively exploring their education options and looking for learning environments that fit their children’s needs,” said Kimi Kean, CEO of Oakland Enrolls. “We are committed to helping families navigate those choices and feel informed and supported throughout the process.”

To learn more about education options available to families in California, visit the National School Choice Awareness Foundation’s California School Choice website at https://schoolchoiceweek.com/california.

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

By Allen D. Payton

During last night’s Antioch City Council meeting, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, the three members in attendance voted to postpone the vote to hire Lori Asuncion as the new City Attorney. The former Stockton City Attorney, who resigned two weeks ago while facing possible termination, submitted a last-minute request to wait until the full council was in attendance. (See related article)

Both Mayor Ron Bernal, who was traveling to Washington, D.C. for the 94th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson, whose mother recently passed away, were absent from the meeting

After Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, who was chairing the meeting, read the agenda item’s description, but before the council considered the matter, Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger informed the members of the matter.

“Actually, with this item, I received a request from Ms. Asuncion through the City Attorney that this be continued to a date where the entire council was present. That was the request that I received approximately 40 minutes ago.”

“OK. We can do that. It might delay things,” said Freitas.

“It is just a request that I received,” Kundinger reiterated.

“What does council?” Freitas began to ask. But District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker spoke over him asking, “Couldn’t we vote tonight and do a ceremonial vote when everybody is…?” Then cutting her off Freitas said, “No. I can see, I’m sure she wants five votes” as Torres-Walker laughed and said at the same time, “I know what she doin’. But I’m good with making a motion to continue it to the next council meeting.”

Accepting that as the motion, Freitas asked for a second which was provided by District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha. With no public comment or further council discussion on the item, the motion passed 3-0. (See the 2:41:10 minute mark of the Council meeting video)

The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10th.