Patrick Vanier

By Allen Payton

On Thursday, May 4th, Patrick Vanier, Supervising Deputy District Attorney for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Prosecution Team, announced his campaign for Contra Costa County District Attorney. He was was joined by supporters at the Amador Rancho Community Center in San Ramon and will take on embattled incumbent D.A. Mark Peterson.

Vanier has been a prosecutor for almost 20 years and has prosecuted hundreds of criminals; both in the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and now in the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

“Today, prosecutors are not just trial attorneys,” said Vanier.  “They are investigators, problem solvers, innovators, and community partners in combating crime.  I have proven to be a prosecutor with fresh ideas and a willingness to institute best practices to bring the criminal justice system into the 21st Century.” 

Earlier this year, Vanier was awarded the 2017 San Jose Police Department’s Excellence in Prosecution Award and in 2015 he was named California Narcotics Officers’ Association State Prosecutor of the Year.  Vanier is an experienced prosecutor whose area of expertise is wiretap investigations, especially in major narcotic and gang crime investigations. 

Peterson has been under fire, including pressure to resign from both Contra Costa Deputy District Attorneys and more recently the Contra Costa Grand Jury, following his $45,000 fine, last year for the illegal, personal use of campaign funds totaling over $66,000 between 2011 and 2015.

“I am running for District Attorney because I believe we should expect more and deserve better from our elected District Attorney,” said Vanier.  “My priorities are to enforce and prosecute laws fairly to ensure offenders who threaten public safety are locked up, utilize the latest technologies, data analytics, and community prosecution models to address rising crime rates through crime prevention and enforcement, and hold myself and the attorney’s in the office to the highest ethical standards.”

According to Vanier’s bio on his campaign website at http://patrickvanier.ngpvanhost.com, “Patrick has spent more than half of his career working with law enforcement agencies investigating and prosecuting major narcotics cases with a particular emphasis on Mexican National drug cartels operating within California.  Patrick’s area of expertise is in the area of wiretap investigations.  He has utilized his expertise by collaborating with federal, state and local law enforcement on more than 100 wiretap applications targeting major drug traffickers, street gangs and murders.

Patrick has trained law enforcement and attorneys for the California District Attorneys’ Association, California Narcotics Officers’ Association, Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and various law enforcement agencies within Santa Clara County. Patrick has taught on the subjects of wiretap investigations, legal updates in search and seizure law, California Electronic Communications Privacy Act and most recently Proposition 64 (Adult Use of Marijuana Act).

Working a variety of jobs during the day, Patrick completed law school at night and was awarded his Juris Doctorate in 1998 by John F. Kennedy University School of Law.  He received a B.S. in Business and Accounting from San Francisco State University in 1995 and a B.A. in Political Science from University of California, Irvine in 1991.

Patrick and his wife, Anaite, live in San Ramon with their three daughters where he has coached soccer for more than a decade.”

The election is in June, 2018.

By Acting Sgt. Shawn Morin #5227, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, May 20, 2017 at approximately 1:46 p.m., Antioch Police Officers and Emergency Medical Personnel were dispatched to the area of Wilbur and Viera Avenues for the report of a motorcycle that had collided with a pole. Upon police arrival, medical and fire personnel were already on scene and tending to both of the riders.

The 68-year-old male rider was transported to an area hospital where he did not survive his injuries. The 66-year-old female passenger was transported to an area hospital where she was admitted in critical condition. Antioch Police Traffic Collision Investigators responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

Since Nov. 1, 2015, there have been 87 shootings on Bay Area freeways in which eight people died – all of them in Contra Costa County – and 39 others were injured, according to the CHP. So far, this year there have been 21 shootings.

The Department of Transportation has pledged between $1.5- to $2-million for the installation of high-tech surveillance equipment on Highway 4 between west and east Contra Costa County.

Supervisor Federal Glover, chair of the Board of Supervisors, made this statement Monday:

“I’m happy to see that the State of California’s Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies agree with me and City of Pittsburg on how to stem the shootings on Highway 4 in Contra Costa County,” he said. “Last year, I dedicated money from the Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund to install cameras on Highway 4 from Bay Point to Antioch. Pittsburg found money in its budget to increase the funding needed to install high tech surveillance equipment along the same stretch of road.

“With the additional funding from the state, we can make the rest of Highway 4 safer all the way to west county by using cameras and shot locators,” he continued. “Criminal elements will no longer be able to hide when they commit their deadly activities on our public roadway.”

It was a coordinated effort among elected leaders in the county. According to a Mercury News article, last year, after the Pittsburg paid to install cameras pointing at Highway 4 in that city, “Hercules Mayor Dan Romero has led a campaign by the mayors of several Contra Costa County cities, along with Contra Costa District Attorney Mark Peterson, to seek state funding to install law enforcement-friendly surveillance cameras freeway onramps and offramps throughout the county, and to upgrade existing Caltrans cameras so police can use them.”

Jeff Belle, source Contra Costa County Board of Education

Increases maximum fine from $1,000 to $10,000

Sacramento, CA – On Wednesday, May 10th, legislation by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Discovery Bay) that will raise penalties for candidates for office who make willful misrepresentations on their candidate statements passed the Assembly Elections committee on an unanimous 7-to-0 vote.

“We can’t allow candidates to dupe the voters…to lie their way into office when tax dollars or the education of our children are at stake,” Frazier stated. “When the public’s trust is in question, the public deserves to know the truth when reading an official candidate statement. This bill holds candidates accountable by increasing the fine for any willful misrepresentation.”

AB 894 would increase the current fine for a willful misrepresentation in a candidate statement to $10,000. The current fine is set at a maximum of $1,000, which has not been an effective deterrent and has not kept up with inflation.

In August 2015, the Contra Costa District Attorney filed a suit in court, The People of the State of California vs. Jeffrey Belle, against a candidate for the Contra Costa Board of Education for knowingly making a false statement of fact in a candidate statement with the intent to mislead voters. In this particular case the candidate falsified his education credentials, his residence, and his criminal record. Instead of a punishment including a fine, he received only entry into a diversion program for offenders, despite the injustice perpetrated upon the voters. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this remains a problem in other jurisdictions.

AB 894 now heads to the Assembly Floor.

By Corporal Ted Chang #4362, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 6:35 pm, an armed, masked male suspect went to the US Bank branch located inside Raley’s at 3632 Lone Tree Way. The suspect yelled at the tellers while pointing a pistol at them. A teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then left the bank and fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a black male adult, unknown age, tall with a thin build. He was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, orange gloves, and a black mask.

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.

New Antioch Police Chief, Tammany Brooks

It was announced today, that Antioch City Manager, Ron Bernal, named Tammany Brooks as the Antioch Chief of Police effective May 14, 2017. Brooks has been serving in the capacity of Interim Chief since the retirement of former Chief Allan Cantando.

Chief Brooks has been a dedicated member of the Antioch Police Department for 22 years. Bernal noted that as an Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain, Brooks has served in virtually every capacity within the Department, emphasizing that this appointment is critical to Antioch’s continued growth and success.

“Chief Brooks is the right person and has what it takes to successfully lead the talented men and women of the Antioch Police Department. With over 20 years of loyal service to the City, he has proven himself as a team player who is committed to taking an outstanding department and making it even better,” Bernal said. “His integrity and no nonsense approach to the job are just two of the reasons Chief Brooks is so highly respected among his peers and the community. Elevating Chief Brooks from within our own ranks is a testimony to the quality of personnel we have within our own ranks. Rising up from humble beginnings, Chief Brooks epitomizes what can happen through hard work, commitment and the pursuit of excellence.”

Chief Brooks is also the City’s first African American Police Chief.

Brooks holds a Masters Degree in Leadership, as well as being a graduate of distinguished law enforcement programs, including the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) of Boston and the FBI National Academy.

In his online message to the community on the Antioch Police Department webpage, following his appointment as Interim Police Chief last month, Brooks wrote:

It is my firm belief that the best way to improve the quality of life and make Antioch a safe and thriving community for all is through a collaborative partnership with the citizens who live, work, and play in this great city.

While I am extremely proud and confident in the abilities of all the members of this department, I realize that in order to truly bring about positive, long-term results, the police department cannot do it alone.  As President John F. Kennedy said, “The level of crime in a city is in direct proportion to the will of its citizens and law enforcement officers who tolerate it.”  We need your help.

One of my goals is to enhance the level of communication between the Department and the community.

This partnership is not an option for me…it must remain a reality.  Together, we are a stronger body with a shared vision and mutual desire to make positive and real changes that reflect the true values of our remarkable community.

By Acting Sergeant Shawn Morin #5227, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On May 10, 2017 at approximately 12:50 PM, an unknown age, armed, masked male suspect entered Safeway located at 3365 Deer Valley Road and went to the Wells Fargo Bank located inside. The suspect demanded money from the bank employees and then fled the store with cash. The suspect left the area in a vehicle that was waiting outside the store.

The suspect is described as an unknown age black male adult, tall with a thin build. The suspect was wearing all dark clothing, hooded sweatshirt or jacket and a black mask. The vehicle was described as a gold or tan colored SUV with paper license plates.

Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or the vehicle leaving the area is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Sketch of shooting suspect.

By Detective A. Gonzalez #4336, Antioch Police Investigations Division Violent Crimes Unit

On Sunday, April 2, 2017, at approximately 8:00 PM, a black male was shot on K Street near West 8th Street in Antioch. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds. During the investigation, detectives were able to have a sketch completed of a suspect involved in this homicide. The male pictured was described as possibly being a white male adult, in his mid-20s to early 30s, with short hair.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Gonzalez with the Antioch Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit at (925)779-6923. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.