Re-elected Council Member Lori Ogorchock and Council Member-Elect Joy Motts will be sworn in on Tues., Dec. 6, 2018. Herald file photos

The Antioch City Council will hold the oath of office ceremony for Council Member-elect Joy Motts and re-elected Council Member Lori Ogorchock, tonight, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Antioch Council Chambers.

On her Facebook page, Motts posted on Monday, “I hope you can join me…Tuesday December 11th at 6pm at Antioch City Council Chambers where I will be sworn in as the newest member of the Antioch City Council and as top vote getter, Mayor Pro Tem. I am so excited and grateful to the voters of Antioch that supported me and I am honored to be your representative for the next two years. With honesty, integrity, passion and transparency, I will do my very best to make all of you proud of me and proud of our community!”

Following the ceremony and reorganization of the council, the new council members will get straight to business, including an increase of the authorization of police officers in the budget from the current 104 to 110, getting the city closer to the 111 promised in Measure C. In addition, the council will deal with authorizing an expenditure of almost $400,000 for an ad buy for the city’s rebranding effort. See full complete agenda, here: ACC121118

The council chambers are located at City Hall, 200 W. Third Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

New Antioch Police Officer Andrea Rodriguez and Chief Brooks following her oath of office ceremony on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. Photo by APD

Staffing back up to 99 sworn officers after loss of two

Posted on APD Facebook page

On Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, we welcomed Andrea Rodriguez to our APD family.

Andrea grew up in San Leandro and moved to Manteca at the age of 13. In 2006, she graduated from Sierra High School. After graduating high school, she attended CSU Eastbay, where she played basketball and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology. After graduating college, she was hired with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s office as a Deputy Ranger and was assigned to the courthouse. Andrea eventually got hired as a Deputy Sheriff with Contra Costa County and attended the Contra Costa County police academy in 2013.

After graduating the academy, she was assigned to the main jail in Martinez. In 2015, Andrea moved to the San Leandro Police Department where she worked for the next 3 years. She was assigned to patrol and was a member of the hostage negotiation team. Andrea is excited to be a part of the Antioch PD family, and is honored to be a part of a great department!

In her free time, Andrea enjoys reading, hanging out with family and friends, and being with her fur babies, Rue and Koda.

Fun Fact: Andrea does not drink coffee and has yet to taste it!!

Rodriguez is the third officer added to the force in the last two months, which would have brought the total to 101 sworn officers. However, according to Chief Tammany Brooks, that brings the force to a total of 99 officers because the department recently lost two officers, “one to medical retirement and another left for another agency.”

A recent report in the December issue of the Antioch Herald stated the most recent hire by the department brought the number of sworn officers to 100. However, he pointed out that the “medical retirement happened just a day before his swearing in.”

“Staffing is a constantly changing number,” Brooks added. “We’ve yet to hit 100, but I’m working hard to get us there. It’s the attrition that makes it difficult.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Daniel Borsuk

On a 5-0 vote, supervisors sent a letter to the 23rd District Agricultural Association requesting that the association stop the gun shows at the state-owned Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, now known as the Contra Costa Event Park in Antioch.

County supervisors were unsuccessful in seeking a ban on firearm possession and sales on county fairgrounds from the Agricultural Association in previous attempts in 1996 and in 2004.

“Gun violence and gun-related injuries and deaths continue to be critical public health concerns,” the supervisors’ letter states.  “The Board of Supervisors continues to support a policy that would prohibit the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds from being used in the proliferation of this critical public health hazard.

“As the nation grapples with the effects of mass shootings, the 23^rd District Agricultural Association has the responsibility to determine if facilitating guns shows on public property is the message to be sending to the public.”

The supervisors’ letter notes the fairgrounds are near a number of sensitive public areas, including a Head Start kindergarten readiness facility that is located on the Fairground property.  Some 500 feet away from the Fairgrounds are Antioch High School and Fairview Park.  Nearby are Live Oak High School, Antioch Middle School and Fremont Elementary School.

Prompting the gun ban were a number of requests Supervisor Federal Glover received from constituents who complained about the gun shows at the Fairgrounds.  “This is an opportunity,” said Glover in reference to the election of a new governor, Gavin Newsom, who will replace Gov. Gerald Brown, who has vetoed gun legislation that would have banned gun shows at another state-owned fairgrounds, the Cow Palace in Daly City.

Alameda, Marin, Sonoma, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties have outlawed the possession of firearms and ammunition at their county-owned fairgrounds, and Los Angeles County has banned firearm and ammunition sales on its county-owned fairgrounds.

A spokesperson for the 23rd District Agricultural Association did not return a Contra Costa Herald phone call for comment on the board of supervisors’ letter.

By Sergeant Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at approximately 7:32 pm, Antioch Police Officers and Emergency Personnel were dispatched to the 2600 block of Somersville Road on a report of a vehicle collision involving a vehicle vs. a pedestrian. Upon arrival, Antioch Police Officers located a 3-year-old female juvenile in the parking lot of Sears non-responsive. Life saving measures were started until relieved by medical and fire personnel. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

Antioch Police Traffic Investigators responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext. 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Traffic Division.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441 or Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext. 84265. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at 2:13 AM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 2300 block of Lemontree Way for a shooting that just occurred. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 26-year-old male victim from Oakland suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment where he was listed in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The responsibles, described as two Hispanic males, had fled the area prior to police arrival. Officers are currently working to identify them.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.

Screenshot from a KTVU Fox 2 News report of Debra Bozeman and her granddaughter.

Police seek suspect

By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at approximately 2:56 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a call about a person and wheelchair in the middle of the road in the 3600 block of Lone Tree Way at Davison Drive. Officers arrived on scene and located the subject, a 65-year-old resident of Discovery Bay, unresponsive and suffering from major injuries. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she remains in critical condition.

It was determined that the victim was crossing the roadway in her wheelchair when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The responsible vehicle fled the scene and has not been located.

The Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Officers are currently following up on evidence left at the scene and potential surveillance footage of the collision.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Traffic Unit.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Johnsen at (925)779-6900 ext 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, the woman has been identified as Debra Bozeman and is in the intensive care unit of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Her family is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Photos of Lawrence Phipps’ arrest and clothes by provided APD. Photo on right from Phipps’ Facebook page dated Aug. 4, 2012.

Photo of the suspect spray painting a vehicle in downtown Antioch. From APD Facebook page.

From APD Facebook page

We are pleased to report that the person responsible for the extensive vandalism to our downtown community has been arrested. This morning, officers responded to tips from several community members identifying Lawrence Phipps, 24 years out of Antioch.

A search of his residence revealed evidence connecting him to this crime. This is an excellent example of what can happen when the police and the community come together to work as a team. As a community, we refuse to stand for this type of criminal behavior.

In a press release on Tuesday, by Corporal Steve Aiello of the APD Field Services Bureau, he wrote,

“On Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 at approximately 9:21 a.m. officers followed up on tips from the community regarding the suspect in the vandalism to the downtown area. The tips led to the arrest of 24 year-old Lawrence Phipps of Antioch. A search of his residence revealed evidence connecting Phipps to the crime. Phipps was later transported to the county jail in Martinez on felony charges.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.”

On Phipps’ Facebook page, which hasn’t been posted on since Aug. 5, 2012, he refers to himself as L-gunna and states that he is from Pittsburg, lives in Antioch and is divorced.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Photo of possible downtown vandal. Provided by APD.

By Acting Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 at approximately 9:00 AM, the Antioch Police Department received an online complaint regarding vandalism in the downtown area and specifically at City Hall. Officers responded and located three city vehicles, a door at City Hall, and one local business that had been vandalized with spray paint. The vandalism had occurred sometime during the night and was discovered in the morning.

The following morning (Monday, 11/26), the Antioch Police Department received additional reports of vandalism in the downtown area. Officers responded and discovered black spray paint on numerous business fronts, mostly on W. 2nd Street and “G” Street in downtown Antioch. The vandalism consisted of spray-painted swastikas, vulgar words and phrases, as well as racial slurs. It does not appear at this time that any specific businesses were targeted by the responsible(s).

Officers began canvassing the area for evidence and located surveillance footage that captured the responsible.

Photo of the possible vandal. Provided by APD.

Two still photographs derived from the surveillance are attached below. The first photo is from 11/25/18 where the suspect was captured on surveillance vandalizing the city owned vehicles. The second photo is believed to be the same person and was captured on 11/26/18, although no actual criminal acts were recorded. This case is still actively under investigation with additional surveillance to be collected and reviewed.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Division. Any further information will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.