By Allen Payton

In front of a standing-room-only crowd inside the Antioch City Council Chambers, Dr. Sean Wright and Lamar Thorpe were given their oaths of office to become the city’s new mayor and newest council member during ceremonies, Thursday night. They joined re-elected Councilwoman Monica Wilson who was sworn in to her second term on the council, and Council Members Tony Tiscareno and Lori Ogorchock, on the dais. As the council candidate with the most votes in the race, Thorpe was then unanimously voted in as the new mayor pro tem, replacing Ogorchock who served in the position for the past two year, and then the two switched seats, placing him to Wright’s right. (View the Facebook live video of the reorganization by clicking here).

The evening began with the outgoing council’s vote to accept the results of the election, followed by farewell speeches by both Councilwoman Mary Rocha and Mayor Wade Harper, as well as speeches by their fellow council members. They were each also presented with a variety of presentations and plaques from the Antioch School Board, and representatives of State Senator Steve Glazer, Congressman Jerry McNerney and Assemblyman Jim Frazier, as well as First 5, a non-profit organization that serves young children in Antioch and the county.

Both Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen and City Treasurer Donna Conley were sworn into their positions, again, having each been re-elected without opposition.

Mayor Wright Takes Office

A standing ovation greeted Wright, as he walked to the podium for his oath of office, which was administered by his uncle and current Mayor of Oakley, Kevin Romick.

“Don’t cry, Sean” some ladies in the audience said.

“Yeah,” shouted supporter Kip Stephens from the back of the room.

Following his oath, Wright said, “I just want to thank all of you guys for coming.”

“This family I have I love dearly and I know they’re going to be with me,” he continued. “I look out there and think of how many of you have become my family. That’s what we need to be as Antioch, a family.”

After Wright took his seat at the dais, Ogorchock welcomed him to the council and said, “I’m here to help you in moving this community moving forward.”

Tiscareno offered his congratulations to Wright.

“I’ve seen some close elections and landslides we were able to see both in this election,” he stated. “Antioch spoke and want to see some change.”

Wright then offered his thoughts in his new position as the community’s leader.

“Thank you all for coming out tonight,” he said. He then mentioned having “the opportunity to sit down with the council members, today” to discuss working together and city business.

Wright used an analogy of the rainy weather which greeted him after waking up, yesterday morning.

“It’s been raining and drizzly all day,” he said, but then interrupted his thought to say “Mayor Harper thank you so much for your service and Mary Rocha, you as well.”

Back to his analogy, Wright said about the rain,“It cleans things. It gives a fresh start and that’s what I see in Antioch. What an opportunity we have as a city to become one.”

“I personally am tired of friends moving away,” he continued on a previous theme. “I want to see people choose to stay here. Where people…work, worship and play all in one place. A school system that we can be proud of that is a college going atmosphere.”

“Let the rain come and the spring come up and make Antioch where we want to live,” Wright said, continuing his weather analogy.

He then said he approached his new position with “nervous trepidation and optimistic excitement,” recognizing that “65% of you didn’t vote for me” but that “65% of you voted for change” and mentioning an election he thought would never end.

“I ask you to confirm me as your mayor with your prayers,”

He thanked his supporters which were diverse and then offered to quotes about service.

“I will be a mayor of all the people,” he said and then offered a quote from Ghandi about service to others.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Wright shared. He also said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth,” quoting Muhammad Ali.

“Truth is the glue the holds government together,” he then stated. “I look forward to serving and to help shed light and bring us together.”

Wright spoke of how he will speak with “candor” and that “honesty is the best policy in the end.”

“Friends and neighbors a change is coming to Antioch,” he stated emphatically. “In the beginning I asked you to pray for me. In closing I ask for your prayers. I pray for the wisdom of Solomon.”

“I will serve Antioch with all my heart mind and strength,” Wright concluded.

Before the new mayor spoke, both Thorpe and Wilson gave their acceptance speeches.

Mayor Pro Tem Thorpe Sworn In

Thorpe was administered his oath of office by Diane Burgis, who was elected to the Board of Supervisors in November, with his wife Pat and their daughter Kennedy by his side. Burgis gave a high-five to Thorpe at the conclusion.

In introducing his family, he got choked up while trying to thank Pat.

“I want to thank her because she was the one who encouraged me to run this year,” Thorpe stated and then said to her, “Thank you for giving me the strength and encouragement.”

“I want to thank the current city council for their hard work,” he added then thanked his friends and family.

As he was heading to the dais, Ogorchock, who as the Mayor Pro Tem at the time, was running the meeting, after Harper had stepped down from his position, said “I got to say that’s the first time I’ve seen Lamar speechless,” to laughter from him and the audience.

After being seated in his new place, next to the mayor, Thorpe offered his formal thoughts about the election, saying “I was surprised by how many people voted for me,” and mentioning that on Election Night all he could say was, “Wow.”

He thanked County Supervisor-elect Diane Burgis and then gave thanks “to my mom who I know is watching over me today. She passed away a year ago.”

“She and my dad came here from Mexico. They took in foster kids. I was their very first.

“I want to make sure I represent the good people of Antioch not the special interests,” Thorpe stated. “Because this is your government.”

He then thanked his campaign manager and volunteers.

“There’s a lot of work that we’re going to have to get done,” he continued. “There are some tough challenges coming up in the next few years.”

He then thanked “the Archuletas (Keith and Iris) who have been invaluable,” and former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas.

“I want to focus on transparency and accountability,” Thorpe said. “We want to engage the community.”

He then spoke of his concerns with housing growth and the need for jobs in Antioch.

“ABAG (the Association of Bay Area Governments) has continued to fail Eastern Contra Costa County,” Thorp stated. “They’ve projected more houses and fewer jobs. That’s not sustainable. We must demand high quality jobs.”

He also spoke about the need for “smart growth and transit oriented development.”

“I’m not afraid to point it out because I don’t go along to get along,” Thorpe added.

He finished by saying he looked forward to working with the council and the community.

Councilwoman Wilson Takes Oath for a Second Time

Wilson was given the oath of office by her brother, Terrance, with their mother and Uncle Bob standing by his side.

She then mentioned how “Four years ago when I was sworn in it happened so fast and so quickly I forgot to invite my Uncle Bob.” This time she did and he was there for the ceremony. She also mentioned her “older sister Melony is watching live from New York City.”

After taking her seat on the dais, Wilson shared her thoughts on and thanks for her re-election.

“I want to say thank you Antioch for reelecting me back to the city council,” she said. ‘I do want to thank someone who is here in spirit I want to thank Councilman Gary Agopian.”

“I want to thank Don Freitas for your advice, words of wisdom,” Wilson continued.

She thanked a friend who told her during the campaign to “suck it up and get it done.”

“I want to thank my mom,” Wilson said, choking back tears. “Whose always been there for me…even when times are hard. She walked for me, with me in the rain and the sunny days. She fell…and even got bit by a dog.”

“This is Antioch and a city we need to be proud of. We’ve been divided. We need to let go of that nonsense. Antioch still has challenges,” she continued and then spoke about the economic opportunities the city has

One of us is not as smart as all of us. We come together to make this city great,” Wilson concluded.

Benediction

Dr. Lamont Francies of the Delta Bay Church of Christ in Antioch ended the proceedings by offering the following benediction:

“Almighty God in Heaven, it is with humble hearts that we approach your throne of grace, you are the God who sits on high and looks down low. We give thanks to you Lord, for you are good, your mercy endureth forever. Tonight, we rejoice in the city’s peaceful transfer of power. This city, incorporated in 1872,  was named after the biblical town of Antioch. A city noted for it’s cultural diversity, its trade and commerce, a refuge city for all seeking a better life. As we stand here on the dawn of a new day in Antioch, let us live up to that legacy and practice what we have been positioned to do. We are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. For we know unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Bless this gateway to the Delta, to be a gateway to peace, partnerships and prosperity.

Let us put behind the politics of the past and look to the possibilities of the future. Help us to see the invisible so that we can do the impossible. Make this city one, as we strive for unity and not uniformity. Tonight we forsake who we are for the possibility of who we can become. Give our new mayor, Dr. Wright the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, and the compassion to lead us with charity. Bless and protect him, his wife Lani and their five children…place a hedge around their home and a pledge in their hearts.

When the city was sick Lord, you sent us a doctor, but we know that before he was elected, he was selected, raised up by you for such a time as this. You not only gave him sight but insight, You gave him a vision. The bible says without a vision, the people perish. So together like Moses we lift up his hands, for we do not know what the future holds but we do know who holds the future.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. I pray this in the name of the one that’s called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace, let us all together say  Amen.”

Wright then adjourned the meeting, and then along with Thorpe and others attended the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Mixer underway at Tailgaters, where they celebrated with friends and supporters. Wilson held a gathering at her home with family, friends and supporters.

Please check back later for additional photos, speeches and public comments.

 

 

By Dave Roberts

The Antioch School Board narrowly approved the Rocketship Education charter school petition Wednesday night, eliciting cheers from hundreds of Rocketship supporters packed into the Lone Tree Elementary School multipurpose room who say it will provide a better education for their children than the academically underperforming AUSD-administered schools.

The board’s 3-2 decision approving Rocketship went against the recommendation of district staff to reject the charter school on the grounds that it’s likely to fail and its petition request doesn’t meet the numerous requirements specified in the state education code.

Rocketship plans to open in 2018 with an enrollment of 386 students. That could cost AUSD’s budget at least $3.7 million based on $9,670 in lost average daily attendance revenue the district receives from the state, according to California Department of Education data. That lost revenue and the resulting teacher layoffs and/or program cuts prompted nearly half of the attendees at the meeting to oppose the charter school application.

But ultimately it was the pleas from dozens of predominantly Hispanic and African-American parents seeking a better education and future for their children that won the day.

“Tonight our community needs a school model that demonstrates cultural responsiveness and authentic community engagement,” said Dr. Lamont Francies, a former counselor in the district and pastor of Delta Bay Church of Christ where Rocketship held a community outreach meeting, last month. “Have we tonight become more interested in saving schools than the students that actually occupy them? This is not about improving teachers but about improving students. We are not questioning effort, but we are assessing outcomes. In my years of education, I’ve encountered many teachers who could not teach, but I’ve never met a student who could not learn.

“So now is the time and the place to change the narrative of the past, and put people over politics and people over paychecks. Our children are more than just ADA. Do you tonight see their future or do you see their finances? In order to change the future we must change our focus. We can no longer focus on saving jobs but saving children.

“Tonight we reject the soft bigotry of low expectations. We see low test scores, low morale, low graduation rates. And based on that assessment, I can say, ‘Houston we have problem.’ It’s time to get on a new rocket. Rockets go where others do not go. Rockets explore where others won’t. Rockets, however, must be fueled. And you tonight are that fuel. And together we can launch our students into a future full of endless possibilities.

“To echo our First Lady, when test scores go low, our students must go high. Right now is liftoff time, it’s game time, growing time. In order to have a change, you must have a choice. When you don’t like Verizon, you change to Sprint. When you don’t like Dial, you change to Zest. Tonight, just like Celie, we choose the color purple.”

The last reference was to the purple shirts worn by Rocketship supporters that contain the slogan “We are FEARLESS in pursuit of our FUTURO!” The Rocketship opponents, who were predominantly white, wore yellow shirts with the slogan “No Rocketship.” Many of them were teachers like Sarah Nichols, who teaches 4th and 5th grade at Lone Tree.

“It’s really hard to be going through all of this on both sides,” she said. “It’s really hard to hear all of this. And it’s frustrating for me as a teacher. I would hope that the money that would be pulled away from our school to support this charter would rather be put into our schools to make them better, maybe our special education department. As the 600-plus students are pulled from our schools to fill this charter, the more than 20 great newer credentialed teachers that will become unemployed in our district would appreciate you saying no to it too.

“We are greatly concerned about scheduling for elementary children [at Rocketship]. Children need to learn non-cognitive skills, social skills, life skills, problem-solving skills through cooperative work and play. There doesn’t seem to be much time if any for socialization skills, play time etc. according to the schedule on the AUSD website for this charter.

“This program doesn’t seem conducive to the educational and emotional development of the child. The schedule is dense and instruction taught continuously with one break at lunch. I believe this will lead to a high level of stress for students. The day is way too long for teacher and students, especially kindergarten students.”

Cheye Calvo, chief growth and community engagement officer for Rocketship, acknowledged that Rocketship schools have longer days than public schools, but he said there’s plenty of time for social and emotional engagement, beginning with a community meeting, songs and dance in the morning. “We find our families engage in a way that is joyful and playful,” he said. “It’s not just sitting. There’s time to be quiet and learn, and a time to be joyful and play.”

The board majority agreed with the Rocketship supporters that low-income minority children deserve the same chance at a quality education as wealthier whites who can afford to send their children to alternative schools.

“The [Antioch] chief of police [Allan Cantando] and the newly elected mayor of Antioch [Sean Wright] both send their children to charter schools,” said board member Walter Ruehlig. “Charters are a great equalizer for those who can’t afford $15,000-$20,000 to send their kids to De La Salle. I wouldn’t want to have to think you have to be chief of police or a mayor or white or middle class or privileged to have that free choice…. After 48 years of public service I’m not going to now turn my back and my ideals and deny a chronically underserved minority population a free choice and the right for their precious children to have a decent and competitive future.”

Ruehlig noted that Rocketship students perform much better academically than AUSD students on average. “Our superintendent is committed to a goal, which we haven’t had in years, a goal of improving 5 percent a year. That would take us eight years if we achieve, if we achieve that goal – we’ve been in stagnation, we’ve been spinning wheels – it would take us eight years to get to where Rocketship is today.”

In agreement was Fernando Navarro, who was attending his last meeting as a trustee, having failed to win election in November. He’s impressed with what he saw during a visit to a Rocketship school as well as the better test scores by Rocketship students.

“I observed the enthusiastic parents, the smiles of the children. [Tonight] I observed those who spoke in favor and those who opposed Rocketship. In favor were parents seeking a better education for their children, parents seeking the fulfillment of the American dream. Who opposed the charter? Those seeking to protect the status quo and willing to take the position of intimidation of anyone who dared to stand up against a system that has failed our children.

“The bottom line is we are the temporary guardians of the children in our schools. The children belong to the parents. The money belongs to the children. Where the children go, the children should have their money. My vote tonight is going to be with the children and the parents in the district. They are already leaving AUSD in record numbers in search of something better. Now with Rocketship we can have something better in Antioch.

“I don’t see division. I see an opportunity. They won’t build their schools for another two years. This gives us as a district an opportunity to get our act together. Let’s compete. One school will not dismantle our whole district. Competition is healthy. It’s the American way. I’ll stand for the rights of Americans to let their kids get the education they deserve every day of the week.”

Board member Debra Vinson said she also has the best interests of the children in mind by voting against the Rocketship application. She’s concerned about “the obvious friction that would come from having a charter school in AUSD also trying to maintain some degree of solvency.” Other concerns include charter schools having less experienced teachers, an insufficient number of low-income white and African-American students, a wait list to get in and insufficient special education programs.

Also casting a no vote was board President Diane Gibson-Gray, who agreed with the staff findings that the charter petition had not met all of the state requirements.

But Alonzo Terry, who like Navarro was attending his last meeting as a trustee having failed to win election in November, cast the deciding vote. He, like Navarro and Ruehlig, visited a Rocketship school. “I was so impressed, I was on my knees,” said Terry. “I wish we could instill what you have and Antioch charter has and do it here [in district-run schools]. We have some of the greatest teachers. Every school is not bad. We get caught up in red tape. Our children are not commodities. They are human reality.”

Ruehlig, Navarro and Terry all expressed concern that the district administration had stacked the deck against Rocketship’s application. Terry challenged the negativity of one of the district’s consultants, asking if she had anything positive to say about Rocketship. Navarro asked the legal counsel how many charter applications she had reviewed and approved – the answer was “hundreds” and “many,” including a previous Rocketship application.

Ruehlig was vexed that the board had only been provided 48 hours to review the district’s 23-page report rejecting the Rocketship application – and that the rejection seemed to be a foregone conclusion. “I’m not happy,” he said. “Why wasn’t this an opportunity for two sides to sit down to work cooperatively to improve the petition. To me the verdict was in. The final chapter of the story looks like it was written before the story even began.”

One possible surprise ending to the story concerns the question of whether the board actually had the authority to make its decision. Dylan Howell, an English teacher at Antioch High, told the board that, according to the state education code, school board terms of office expire on the first Friday in December, which was Dec. 2. Therefore, Navarro and Terry, who failed to win election, and Gibson-Gray, who did win re-election but had not yet been sworn in for another term, were not technically board members.

“There’s only two real board members here,” said Howell. “There is not a quorum. I don’t believe this vote can take place tonight.”

None of the board members addressed his challenge, as the entire Education Code Section 5017 reads “Each person elected at a regular biennial governing board member election shall hold office for a term of four years commencing on the first Friday in December next succeeding his or her election. Any member of the governing board of a school district or community college district whose term has expired shall continue to discharge the duties of the office until his or her successor has qualified. The term of the successor shall begin upon the expiration of the term of his or her predecessor.”

Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson announced on Monday that he had reached an agreement with the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission regarding use of campaign funds during 2011-2015.  The Enforcement Division will present the agreement to the Commission for its approval on December 15, 2016.

Following is his statement on the matter:

“I served as the treasurer of my own campaign committee from 2011 until 2015, after which I hired a professional paid treasurer. During that five-year period, I borrowed, in increments, a total of $66,373 from the Mark Peterson for District Attorney 2014 Committee.   I used the funds to pay for day-to-day expenses, like meals, gas, cell phone bills, and other personal expenses.  I considered the money a loan, kept track of those expenses at all times, made periodic repayments, and over time, repaid the Committee in full.

In 2015, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) contacted me about a routine audit. In response, I hired a professional treasurer and immediately contacted the Enforcement Division of the FPPC to make them aware of the expenditures and my plan to address my error.  I cooperated fully and provided my contemporaneous records regarding the expenditures and reimbursements for their review, as well as all of the underlying documents.

The FPPC Enforcement Division has noted: ‘To his credit, upon learning of the FTB audit Peterson contacted the Enforcement Division, admitted his violations and fully cooperated with the investigation.’

It is with disappointment and regret that I acknowledge the mistakes I made regarding my campaign financing account.  As a result of these mistakes, I have agreed to pay the Fair Political Practices Commission a $45,000 administrative fine.

Although I have fully reimbursed the Committee for all of the personal expenditures, I make no excuses.

I am humbled and embarrassed by my mistakes, for which I take full responsibility, and I apologize for my regrettable errors.”

Mark Peterson, Contra Costa County District Attorney

In a further comment about the matter he said, “This matter is still under consideration by the FPPC, so this is the only public comment I am making on the matter.”

 

On Monday, Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Oakley) introduced AB1 a bill to fund transportation improvements in California. He calls it “a sensible and realistic approach to tackling California’s crumbling transportation infrastructure,” which almost the same as the transportation funding bill he co-sponsored, earlier this year.

“My commitment to passing a comprehensive funding plan that addresses California’s failing transportation system will not waiver,” stated Frazier, who is the Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee. “This proposal dedicates billions to road and highway repairs that our state so desperately needs while also creating tens of thousands of good paying jobs.”

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1

According to the bill’s text, “This bill would create the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program to address deferred maintenance on the state highway system and the local street and road system. The bill would require the California Transportation Commission to adopt performance criteria, consistent with a specified asset management plan, to ensure efficient use of certain funds available for the program. The bill would provide for the deposit of various funds for the program in the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account, which the bill would create in the State Transportation Fund, including revenues attributable to a $0.012 per gallon increase in the motor vehicle fuel (gasoline) tax imposed by the bill with an inflation adjustment, as provided, an increase of $38 in the annual vehicle registration fee with an inflation adjustment, as provided, a new $165 annual vehicle registration fee with an inflation adjustment, as provided, applicable to zero-emission motor vehicles, as defined, and certain miscellaneous revenues.”

Frazier claims that AB1 represents an adult-in-the-room approach to meeting the vital, long-term needs of California’s transportation system. The proposal if approved will raise an additional $6 billion in annual funding to repair state and local roads, improve trade corridors and support public transit. Also included are measures related to accountability and streamlining of project delivery

“The transportation crisis in California affects each and every part of our state. If we don’t step up and solve it, our economy will decline and the people we represent will suffer,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). “Transportation funding has traditionally been a bipartisan issue and our goal is to work across the aisle to come to a comprehensive solution.”

“We have been working closely with Assemblyman Frazier for more than two years on a variety of concepts to provide the resources local governments need to fix our roads and bridges,” said Kiana Valentine, Legislative Advocate for the California State Association of Counties. “It’s no secret that our vital infrastructure is crumbling and we’re at a tipping point. We urge the Governor and Legislative Leadership to keep their promise to advance this vital legislation early in the 2017 session.”

Once the 2017-18 Legislative Session begins, AB1 will be referred and heard in policy committee.

Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated November 18, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary

Time Period: 11/10/16 00:00:00 – 11/16/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,544

Number of Case Reports: 302

Number of Arrests: 78

Felony: 37

Misdemeanor: 41

Arrests with DUI charge: 4

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·11/16/2016 at 6:17 pm, an employee at the Antioch Community Center on Lone Tree Way observed a male subject looking into cars with a flashlight. At one point he observed the male smash the window on a vehicle and remove items. He called APD and we arrived shortly after. An area check was conducted for the male suspect but he was not located. We did however locate the victim’s purse and the majority of its contents strewn around behind the complex. The victim was very happy we were able to locate her property and was very appreciative.
• ·11/16/2016 at 6:11 pm, officers were dispatched for the report of a male subject exposing himself at the Bonfare Market on W 10th St. Upon arrival, they made contact with a subject who had his pants down in front of the market. The male subject was identified as 38 year old Peter Barrera. He refused to give his identification when asked and showed objective signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was speaking incoherently and pacing back and forth. Barrera was arrested for being under the influence of drugs. He became combative and eventually was taken directly to county jail. A records check showed he was on county probation for narcotics violations.
• ·11/16/2016 at 2:04 pm, 35 year old Christian Davis went onto Holy Rosary School grounds and a staff member called 911 because he looked suspicious. The staff member was following Davis which made him unhappy. She was carrying a $1200 Nikon Camera and Davis ripped the camera from her arm. She backed away from Davis because she was afraid that he’d hurt her. Officers arrived on scene almost immediately and detained Davis. The camera was located in Davis’s jacket when he was searched so he was arrested for robbery. He was later booked into county jail for the robbery.
• ·11/16/2016 at 1:56 pm, an officer was dispatched to 2100 Buchanan Rd for a welfare check on a subject inside of a vehicle. The officer contacted 35 year old Melvin Russell who had two warrants for his arrest for petty theft and trespassing. Russell was arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·11/16/2016 at 1:56 pm, Code Enforcement officers contacted 42 year old Michael Sanchez and saw he had a gun in his waistband. They pinned Sanchez to the ground and asked for code 3 cover. Officers arrived on scene and Sanchez refused to move his arm from underneath his body. Sanchez was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers and it was determined the gun was an air soft gun. Sanchez was arrested for resisting arrest and later cite released from the APD jail. Sanchez was not injured.
• ·11/15/2016 at 10:53 pm, an officer was on patrol in the 600 block of Doolittle Way and passed a suspicious Dodge Challenger. The officer ran the plate and it returned as a stolen vehicle out of Alameda County. The officer turned around to investigate and contacted 30 year old Antoine Rice as he walked away from the vehicle. Prior to being contacted, Rice was observed discarding several items on the front lawn of a residence, which included the key fob to the Dodge Challenger. Rice was found to be on probation for auto theft and had an outstanding felony warrant for a probation violation. He was arrested for the warrant, auto theft and possession of stolen property and sent to county jail
• ·11/15/2016 at 5:23 pm, 28 year old Rosha Booker entered Lucky’s on Contra Loma Blvd and filled a shopping cart with $160 worth of various items. She then exited the business without paying for the items. Booker was located nearby and positively identified by Lucky’s loss prevention. Booker was on felony probation for grand theft and was arrested and booked at county jail.
• ·11/15/2016 at 3:00 pm, 26 year old Antonio Spruell was contacted during a traffic stop on Saint Francis Dr and Contra Loma Blvd. He was found to have a felony warrant out of San Jose for burglary. He was arrested without incident and sent to county jail. ·11/15/2015 at 11:19 am, officers were dispatched to the area of the floating house near the A St extension for the reports of a female screaming from inside. CCSO Marine Patrol assisted by bringing several officers to the house where they located 31 year old Mary Schader inside. She was found to have a warrant for her arrest for being under the influence of narcotics and was taken into custody without incident and booked into county jail. The screams were unfounded.
• ·11/15/2016 at 2:16 am, dispatch received an automatic license plate reader alert on a stolen vehicle in the area of Mahogany Way and Auto Center Dr. A short time later, an officer located the vehicle. The vehicle eventually pulled into the Shell gas station on Bailey Rd in Bay Point and officers conducted a high risk stop with the assistance of Pittsburg PD. 34 year old Jose Herrera was taken into custody who claimed he didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. He was booked into county jail on charges of auto theft and possession of stolen property.
• ·11/14/2016 at 10:03 pm, 25 year old Brandon Terrell was contacted in the 2300 block of Lemontree Way during a call for service. A name check revealed he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest out of San Mateo County. He was issued a new court date and released at the scene on a signed promise to appear.
• ·1/15/2016 at 12:13 am, an officer located 24 year old Jose Pedroza in the parking lot of Chevron on A St and was aware Pedroza had a warrant for his arrest in the system for a parole violation. Pedroza was contacted and arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·11/14/2016 at 9:48 pm, an officer contacted 37 year old Lewis Wright behind Safeway on Deer Valley Rd as Wright was rummaging through a dumpster. Wright was found to have two non-citable warrants in the system and placed under arrest. He was booked into county jail.
• ·11/14/2016 at 4:31 pm, 53 year old Brett Moore is on parole for indecent exposure and is a sex registrant. Moore arrived at APD to register and was found to be out of compliance. Moore was arrested and booked at county jail. Moore’s parole officer was contacted who issued a parole detainer.
• ·11/14/2016 at 2:22 pm, an officer located a stolen vehicle on W 9th St at B St. A traffic stop was conducted in the parking lot of the Dollar General on W 10th St where three occupants were taken into custody without incident. During a search of the car, 19 year old Kearah Moore’s purse was searched and found to contain marijuana, packaging, a scale, a pay/owe sheet and $1,100.00 in cash. 27 year old Durell Anderson was found in possession of Zanax. 30 year old Marcolinoraul Ortega was the driver of the stolen car and all three subjects were sent to county jail.
• ·11/14/2016 at 1:05 pm, 34 year old Ronald McKinzie was observed driving recklessly on A St at Wilbur Av. The officer attempted a car stop and McKinzie ducked into a neighborhood trying to get away. The officer caught up to McKinzie at August at Bart Ave. The front passenger, 26 year old Raymond Castro, fled on foot from the vehicle. The officer knew Raymond had a felony warrant and gave chase. The officer was able to catch Raymond a few blocks away and take him into custody without further incident. During a search of his person, Castro was found to have methamphetamine on his person along with Oxycontin and a fixed blade knife that was concealed inside his jacket. Castro was subsequently sent to county jail and McKinzie was released from the scene with a citation for vehicle code violations.
• ·11/14/2016 at 11:31 am, a neighbor called APD after observing two males pull up to her neighbor’s house in the 4800 block of Green Hills Cir and go into the backyard. The caller knew the subjects did not belong at the residence and watched the house until officers arrived. Upon arrival, one of the subjects looked over the side fence and saw an officer staging. This caused him and his accomplice to flee on foot over fences and into the surrounding neighborhood. After an extensive search with the K9 and CHP air support, the subjects were not located. The subjects were able to burglarize the house prior to our arrival by smashing a rear sliding glass door. Their vehicle was still on scene and towed/stored. Investigation is ongoing.
• ·11/14/2016 at 11:02 am, 34 year old Michael Vanbrusselen was contacted during a traffic stop at Lone Tree Way and Clayburn Rd. He was found to have a felony warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody without incident and sent to county jail. ·11/13/2016 at 11:19 pm, 47 year old Michael Stevens was contacted at G St and W 16th St and found to have a warrant for his arrest for several narcotics charges and a parole violation. Stevens was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·11/13/2016 at 10:23 pm, 46 year old Timothy Crabtree was contacted during a pedestrian stop at the Bonfare Market on W 10th St. Crabtree had a warrant for his arrest for possession of narcotics. He was arrested without incident and sent to county jail. ·11/13/2016 an 7:38 pm, 42 year old Anthony Sims called APD dispatch and reported that several males had just chased him and shot at him in the 2200 block of Sycamore Dr. Sims was contacted and the shooting was determined to be unfounded. Sims was under the influence of a controlled substance and in a state of paranoia. Sims was arrested and booked at county jail for being under the influence.
• ·11/13/2016 at 1:09 am, 58 year old Tony Cotton and the adult female victim are friends. Cotton accused her of stealing his cell phone. Cotton hit the victim on the left side of her head with a golf club. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment. Cotton was arrested without incident and he was sent to county jail for assault with a deadly weapon.
• ·11/13/2016 at 12:44 am, 25 year old Estrella Martinez was contacted during a suspicious vehicle call in the 4200 block of Amargosa Dr. Estrella was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant and was sent to county jail.
• ·11/12/2016 at 10:58 pm, 29 year old Fidel Vilchislaureano was inside of Las Tarascas on Fitzuren Rd causing a disturbance. Fidel was arrested without incident for public intoxication and sent to county jail.
• ·11/12/2016 at 10:46 pm, 21 year old Austin White was inside of Tailgaters on Golf Course Rd causing a disturbance. When officers arrived, White was arrested without incident and sent to county jail for public intoxication.
• ·11/12/2016 at 5:22 pm, officers responded to a report of two transients attempting to enter a vacant business in the 2600 block of Crow Ct. Officers located an unsecured door and conducted an interior search where they located 44 year old Nicole Costa sleeping in one of the rooms. Costa had an outstanding warrant out of Tuolumne County for narcotics. She was arrested and transported to county jail.
• ·11/12/2016 at 4:08 pm, loss prevention officers observed 36 year old Cynita Gurley exiting the store with unpaid merchandise at Fallas Discount Store located at Somersville Towne Center. Loss prevention contacted Gurley and identified themselves as security. Gurley pepper sprayed them and bit one of them while attempting to flee. Gurley gave officers her sister’s name upon contact. Her true identity was discovered after officers implemented a fingerprint reader at the scene. Gurley admitted to the robbery and also using her sister’s name because she thought she had warrants; which she did. She was arrested and transported to county jail for robbery and narcotics warrants. At 6:50 pm, less than three hours later, Fallas loss prevention officers were pepper sprayed again by shoplifters. 19 year old Lemonni Gordon was observed exiting the store with unpaid merchandise. When contacted by loss prevention outside the store, a friend, 22 year old Alaysha Smith, came running to her aid and pepper sprayed security. During the struggle, Lemonni’s sister, 22 year old Aaronique Gordon was summoned to assist them. Aaronique attempted to leave the scene while officers explained to her she was not free to leave. Aaronique was arrested after trying to push past officers. Aaronique was later cite-released from the scene. Lemonni and Alaysha were arrested and transported to county jail for robbery.
• ·11/12/2016 at 1:52 pm, officers were dispatched to the Wells Fargo bank located at W 18th St and A St for a suspicious person in the parking lot who was panhandling. Upon arrival, the officers located and recognized 34 year old Gary Kennedy as the responsible. Contact was attempted with Kennedy who then fled from the officer on foot. Kennedy was caught and admitted to possessing methamphetamine in his pants pocket. As the officer was getting ready to search Kennedy he fled on foot again and was caught again. He was sent to county jail on the drug charge and violation of his probation.
• ·11/12/2016 at 3:55 am, officers responded to a silent alarm at MAACO on W 10th St. Upon arrival, they found the steel gate knocked down and in the front parking lot. A roll up door was found open and during a check of the business a second story balcony window accessible from a lower roof was wide open and items knocked over. The owner of the business was eventually located and responded. It appeared at the time that at least three cars were missing. A fourth car was used to ram the gate and knock it down. The owner advised they had fired an employee yesterday and upon reviewing the video, he appears to be one of the suspects involved in this incident. Further efforts are being made to identify the other two responsibles and confirm if a fourth car is missing. At 10:10 am, officers were dispatched to Costco for the report of a suspicious male and female who ran into the parking lot claiming someone was chasing them. When officers arrived, they detained 34 year old Jeffrey Crandall and 31 year old Katie Beam just inside the business doors. After the theft at MAACO, the shop manager began driving around the area and located one of the stolen cars in front of Crandall’s house with Beam inside the car. When the manager approached, Beam fled into Crandall’s house. Officers conducted a search of the residence but they were not located at that time. During a search of their persons at Costco, Crandall was found to be in possession of the key to the stolen vehicle that was recovered in front of his house and Beam was positively identified as the female who fled from the car. During interviews, Beam admitted to being with Crandall while he stole the cars from the shop earlier in the night and being in one of them, knowing it was stolen. She advised where the second stolen vehicle could be located and it was recovered. Both Crandall and Beam were charged with burglary and two counts of auto theft and possession of stolen property. Crandall was is also on parole and a hold was placed on him. They were both booked into county jail.
• ·11/11/2016 at 9:27 am, an officer conducted a pedestrian stop on 25 year old Richard Lewis at the Burger King on Mahogany Way. The officer searched Lewis and located suspected methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe in his pocket. Lewis was issued a citation and released on his signed promise to appear in court.
• ·11/11/2016 at 8:42 am, an officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of Sunset Dr on the report of two subjects stripping parts off a white Honda. Prior to the officer’s arrival on scene, the caller stated the vehicle drove off with a male driving and a female as the front passenger. The officer conducted an area check and located the vehicle at the 7-Eleven on Hillcrest Ave and E Tregallas Rd. He contacted 49 year old Leonard Burleigh and 41 year old Sandra Cox. Burleigh stated he bought the vehicle for $150. Burleigh was arrested for the stolen vehicle and a misdemeanor probation violation and booked into county jail. Cox was released from the scene pending further investigation after being interviewed. The stolen vehicle was returned to the victim.
• ·11/11/2016 at 5:36 am, an officer was on patrol and located an occupied, running, stolen vehicle parked on Shaddick Dr near Garrow Dr. The driver, identified as 23 year old Jacob Benson, was sitting in the car. The officer maintained visual of the vehicle and waited for additional officers before making contact. When officers arrived, they were able to prevent Benson from driving away. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into county jail. Benson was on probation and appeared to be living in the vehicle.
• ·11/10/2016 at 11:21 pm, officers responded with Contra Costa Fire to a report of a male standing in front of an address in the 2700 block of El Rey St bleeding from his arm. On arrival, it was learned the male was visiting a friend at this address when he saw a group walking up to his truck parked in San Joaquin Ave. He went to confront the group as he felt they were going to steal his truck. As he approached the group, 21 year old Julian Gonzalez hit the male in the head with an unknown object from behind, knocking him to the ground. When the male got up, he saw an adult female known to him only as Marittza sitting in the driver seat of his truck. He told her to get out and tried to pull her out the open driver’s door. She stabbed him in the arm with a knife. When he yelled out, the group ran to cars parked nearby and fled. The male could not explain how he knew the responsibles. He was transported to the hospital for a superficial stab wound to his left forearm and bump on his head. He was treated and later released. The investigation is ongoing.
• ·11/10/2016 at 6:39 pm, on 11/8/2016, a locker was broken into at the In Shape Gym on Lone Tree Way in Antioch. The responsible(s) took the victim’s car keys, wallet and ultimately stole his vehicle from the parking lot. Officers placed still photographs of the responsible(s) on the briefing board for other patrol shifts. On 11/10/2016 at approximately 6:30 pm, dispatch advised they received a hit for the victim’s stolen vehicle driving in the Sycamore Dr area. An officer located the stolen vehicle in the parking lot of Sycamore Square. 22 year old Lawrence Phipps was contacted standing in the driver’s doorway and was taken into custody without incident. It was discovered Phipps’ cellular phone was connected to the vehicle’s Bluetooth. Phipps is currently on parole and so the Department of Corrections issued a detainer for him. After reviewing the photographs of the responsible(s) at the time of the original theft, officers were able to determine Phipps matched the description as being one of the responsibles. Phipps was booked into county jail on several felony charges.
• ·11/10/2016 at 12:52 pm, an officer saw 53 year old Rudy Delgado at the Ramada Inn on Mahogany Way and knew he had several warrants for his arrest for auto theft related charges. Delgado was contacted in the lobby of the hotel and arrested for the warrants. He was booked into county jail.

Publisher’s Note: Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting these reports to you. We have three more to post from November.

Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated November 4, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary

Time Period: 10/27/2016 00:00:00 – 11/02/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,660

Number of Case Reports: 258

Number of Arrests: 79

Felony: 32

Misdemeanor: 46

Infraction: 1

Arrests with DUI charge: 7

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·11/3/2016 at 2:18 am, officers responded to a reported disturbance at the ABC Rendezvous located at 101 Walter Way. Two males were challenging patrons to fight out front. On arrival, no one was out front and there was no one reporting anything in the bar. As officers were about leave, 42 year old Angelina Rosiles was found passed out intoxicated in the middle of Railroad Ave near A St. She woke up and attempted to walk away and cross A St. She was detained in handcuffs when she refused to stop and immediately became uncooperative yelling obscenities at everyone. Her boyfriend came out and advised they had been drinking at the bar when she suddenly left and walked away. Rosiles was arrested and booked into county jail for public intoxication.
• ·11/2/2016 at 10:35 pm, officers responded to a silent alarm at Brighter Beginnings located at 2213 Buchanan Rd. On arrival, officers could hear someone prying at a door or window. 39 year old Charles Livous was contacted walking away from the area of the alarm. He was carrying a knife and dropped it when ordered to. He was detained and it was discovered he had been the one attempting to pry a door to the business open and set off the alarm. The knife matched the pry marks in the door frame. The owner of the complex and business was contacted who advised officers this has been an ongoing problem with Livous breaking into various rooms and businesses in the complex. He was arrested for attempted burglary and booked into county jail.
• ·11/2/2016 at 1:25 pm, 29 year old Lawrence Cuff was contacted to the rear of Subway on Delta Fair Blvd and found to have a warrant for his arrest for arson. He was arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·11/2/2016 at 11:23 am, 25 year old Morgan Scales was contacted as a passenger of a vehicle during a traffic enforcement stop on Davison Dr and Vandenberg Way for expired registration. Scales had a probation violation warrant for auto theft. Scales was transported to the APD jail and later booked into county jail.
• ·11/2/2016 at 3:14 am, officers responded to an alarm at the Sinclair Fuel Mart located at 3720 Lone Tree Wy. Upon their arrival, they found 36 year old Jose Galaz burglarizing the business. Galaz was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·11/1/2016 at 11:20 pm, an officer located 49 year old Leonard Burleigh walking on the street at E 18th St and Evergreen Av and stopped him to conduct a probation search. The officer was aware that Burleigh is on misdemeanor probation for possession of a controlled substance. Burleigh was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was cite-released at the scene.
• ·11/1/2016 at 11:16 pm, an officer contacted the occupants of a suspicious vehicle with no license plates in the Ramada Inn parking lot on Mahogany Way. A check of the vehicle identification number revealed it was stolen. 29 year old Edgar Ramos was seated in the driver seat and told the officer he borrowed the car from an unknown friend. Ramos was in possession of a fixed blade knife and a baggy of methamphetamine. He was arrested and booked at county jail.
• ·11/1/2016 at 10:40 pm, 21 year old Derial Royster was contacted during a traffic stop at Fitzuren Rd and Contra Loma Blvd and was found to have a warrant for his arrest for burglary and conspiracy. Royster was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·11/1/2016 at 10:50 am, officers were conducting extra patrol duties of City Park at 1000 A St when they made contact with 27 year old Destiny Vargas. She was found to have an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for her arrest out of Newark for petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a new court date and cite-released from the scene.
• ·11/1/2016 at 9:43 am, employees of the law offices in the 2200 block of A St called APD to report a transient in the doorway refusing to leave. Upon arrival, officers located 51 year old Monte Swindell in the process of masturbating. He is currently on felony probation for indecent exposure and was taken into custody for this incident and sent to county jail.
• ·11/1/2016 at 9:42 am, 67 year old James Wedding was contacted by officers in the Big Lots parking lot located at 3103 Delta Fair Blvd. He was found to have two outstanding misdemeanor warrants for his arrest. He was given a new court date and cite-released from the scene.
• ·10/31/2016 at 7:11 pm, an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a vehicle at Railroad Av and C St. 34 year old William Hollibaugh and 25 year old Richard Lewis were passengers in the vehicle. Lewis was found to have a warrant for possession of a concealed firearm and methamphetamine. He was arrested without incident and booked at county jail. Lewis was on felony probation for vehicle theft and during a subsequent search was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Lewis was also arrested and booked at county jail.
• ·10/31/2016 at 4:58 pm, an adult male was drinking near the railroad tracks at the Antioch Lumber building on W 2nd St and did not hear the approaching BNSF train. The male was struck by the train which caused major injuries to his head and legs. He was conscious and alert when we arrived and flown via medical helicopter to the hospital. BNSF railroad police responded and took over the investigation.
• ·10/31/2016 at 4:44 pm, an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a vehicle with no license plates at W 19th St and D St. 26 year old James McEvoy was driving and 18 year old KC Holland was a passenger. A check of the vehicle identification number revealed the vehicle was stolen from Concord. McEvoy was on probation for vehicle theft, evading, and firearms violations. McEvoy was arrested and booked at county jail. Holland was released pending further investigation.
• ·10/31/2016 at 12:30 pm, officers were on routine patrol when they observed 35 year old Michael Kyle in front of 85 S. Lake Dr. The officers were aware Kyle had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for burglary and evading charges. Kyle was taken into custody without incident and transported to county jail.
• ·10/31/2016 at 8:34 am, officers responded to the 2400 block of Sequoia Dr on a report of an unwanted guest. Upon arrival, officers observed 21 year old Lafayette Davenport hiding in some bushes in front of the home. It was determined that Davenport was in a verbal dispute with the homeowner. Davenport was admonished by the officers to leave per the homeowner’s request. At approximately 1139 hours, a Parking Enforcement Officer was in the process of towing an abandoned vehicle across the street, which was determined to be Davenport’s vehicle. Davenport became upset and challenged everyone to a fight. Davenport was arrested for disturbing the peace and transported to county jail.
• ·10/30/2016 at 8:35 pm, a delivery driver for Domino’s Pizza responded to an address in the 2000 block of Johnson Drive for a delivery, but when he got there the residents told him they hadn’t ordered anything. The delivery driver returned to his vehicle and was approached by two males with guns. One was wearing a black ski mask and the other was wearing a clown mask with a red nose. The males robbed him of his cell phone and wallet, and then fled in a vehicle that the victim was not able to describe.
• ·10/30/2016 at 6:00 pm, an officer responded to a burglary where a side garage door was kicked in at a residence in the 2400 block of Taylor Way and a pressure washer was taken from the garage. A neighbor had a video of the responsible and the responsible vehicle and recognized the car from the neighborhood. Officers went to the suspect’s residence, found the pressure washer, the suspect vehicle, and the suspect, 38 year old Noorulah Tarin. Tarin was arrested for burglary without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·10/30/2016 at 4:49 pm, an officer contacted the occupants of a suspicious vehicle in the 400 block of Shaddick Dr. 32 year old Selena Gomez was a passenger in the vehicle and had a no-cite warrant in the system for her arrest for petty theft. Gomez was arrested and booked at county jail.
• ·10/30/2016 at 12:07 pm, officers were dispatched to a vehicle collision into a power pole at 1015 Fitzuren Rd. Upon arrival, two occupants of the vehicle fled on foot into a nearby apartment complex. Witnesses pointed to a bush nearby and indicated the subjects discarded what appeared to be a firearm. A loaded 9mm handgun was located by officers in the bush. 25 year old Armando Alvarez was found hiding behind the 7-11 on Contra Loma Blvd where a second firearm was found nearby. Alvarez had ammunition in his pocket that matched the second firearm. Alvarez was arrested, but the second subject was not located. Alvarez could not be identified as the driver of the vehicle that severed the power pole and caused a power outage in the area. He was booked into county jail.
• ·10/30/2016 at 8:27 am, a resident in the 300 block of Minner Dr found 42 year old Monica Esquivel in his backyard and detained her with a shovel until APD arrived. Esquivel was arrested for trespassing and released at the scene with a citation.
• ·10/30/2016 at 5:49 am, officers responded to a vehicle collision at the 1000 block of W 11th St and contacted 21 year old Osbaldo Casteneda who was determined to be DUI. Casteneda was arrested without incident and taken to the hospital for medical treatment and a blood draw. Casteneda was released pending further investigation due to medical care needs. The case will be filed with the District Attorney’s Office at a later date.
• ·10/30/2016 at 5:35 am, officers contacted 25 year old Leah Wallace in the 2200 block of Oakley Rd regarding a suspicious vehicle. Dispatch confirmed warrants for Wallace’s arrest for drug related charges. Wallace was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·10/29/2016 at 8:50 pm, officers responded to the 2200 block of Lemontree Way for the report of a trespasser. Officers contacted 32 year old Patrick Howard who had a warrant for his arrest on domestic violence related charges. He was arrested without incident and sent to county jail.
• ·10/29/2016 at 5:55 pm, an adult female called APD to report she had been robbed and carjacked. She went to 2301 Sycamore Dr to apply for an apartment. As she walked back to her car, an unknown adult male armed with a handgun approached her and demanded her purse and keys. She did not resist and gave the male what he demanded. He then fled in her vehicle to an unknown location. The victim still had her phone and called her boyfriend to tell him what just happened. She walked to McDonalds on Mahogany Way and called APD about an hour after this incident happened. The victim was not injured and the case is still under investigation.
• ·10/29/2016 at 5:00 pm, officers responded to 2301 Sycamore Dr for the report of an adult female in the parking lot covered in blood. On arrival, the female was contacted and found to be bleeding from her face and head. She told officers she had been in the area of W 18th St and D St when an unknown person hit her from behind in the head with some type of hard object. When she fell to the ground, several other subjects began kicking and punching her. They stopped and ran away and she went to a friend’s apartment in the Delta Pine Apartments on Sycamore Dr. She does not know who assaulted her or why. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance where she was treated and later released. There are few leads in the case.
• ·10/29/2016 at 3:24 am, officers responded to the report of a subject passed out in his vehicle after rear ending a parked vehicle in front of 308 Putnam St. 41 year old Jose Lagunas was found passed out in the driver seat of his vehicle, which was lodged under the rear bumper of a pickup truck. Lagunas was contacted and woke up. He stepped from his vehicle and was found to be intoxicated. He had no visible injuries, but had difficulty standing. He was transported to the hospital and later consented to a blood draw. He was admitted for observation due to his level of intoxication. He passed out in the bed and was released pending further investigation for DUI.
• ·10/29/2016 at 1:50 am, officers responded to a reported rollover collision in the area of Spanos St and Springwood Dr. 27 year old Rafael Pantoja was located on Spanos St sitting on the curb. His truck was on its side in the middle of Spanos St. Pantoja had been southbound on Spanos St when he veered to the left and collided with a parked minivan. This caused Pantoja’s truck to roll over several times. Pantoja was ejected through the driver’s door window into the roadway. No one else was in his truck and he had a large amount of road rash on his back, head, and arms. He was found to be intoxicated and later arrested for DUI. He was transported to the hospital for treatment and admitted due to his injuries. He consented to a blood draw and was released pending further investigation at the hospital.
• ·10/29/2016 at 1:37 am, APD units responded to the area of Bellfower Dr and Hillcrest Av after neighborhood residents called to report hearing vehicles racing and then a loud crash. Officers located 24 year old Mokhtar Elyacy’s Acura Integra on Bellfower Dr just east of Hillcrest Ave facing the wrong way in the road. Both left side rims were destroyed and the tires were flat. Elyacy had been travelling west on Bellflower Dr at a high rate of speed and lost control. He spun out and slid sideways and backwards over the north curb, stopping just short of Hillcrest Av. Over 200′ of locked four wheel skids were found. Elyacy was subsequently determined to be intoxicated and was later booked into county jail for DUI after providing a breath sample.
• ·10/28/2016 at 11:07 pm, APD dispatch began receiving calls of an explosion and fire behind Denny’s on Lone Tree Way. Officers were dispatched with Contra Costa Fire to the area. When they arrived, they located a partially exploded pipe bomb in a dumpster enclosure behind the Hurricane Bar and Grill building. One witness reported seeing several juveniles calmly walking away from the scene after the explosion. A detailed area check was done to locate more devices, but none were found. APD worked with the Contra Costa Arson Investigator to photograph and collect evidence from the scene. At this point, no suspects have been identified and the case is still under investigation.
• ·10/28/2016 at 7:16 pm, a vehicle was stopped in the #1 lane of Wilbur Ave attempting to make a left turn into an apartment complex near Orchard Lane. 28 year old Raul Perez was traveling on Wilbur Ave and collided into the rear of the vehicle making a left hand turn. Both occupants of that vehicle suffered minor injuries and complaints of pain. Perez was also injured but was extremely uncooperative when officers arrived. He showed symptoms of being under the influence and was transported to the hospital for treatment. He was arrested for DUI but refused to provide a blood sample so a search warrant was obtained. He was eventually released pending further investigation due to his injuries and extended recovery at the hospital.
• ·10/27/2016 at 10:52 pm, an adult male was walking home in the area of Hawthorne Ave and Cataline Ave when he was confronted by two men armed with handguns. The victim was ordered to give the suspects his wallet and other property. When he was not moving fast enough, he was pistol whipped and knocked to the ground. His phone, wallet, bag, and other personal belongings were taken. Both suspects were last seen fleeing down the trail into Claudia Ct. An extensive area check was conducted with negative results.
• ·10/27/2016 at 7:09 pm, officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a home in the 4800 block of Pine View Way. According to the reporting party, 20 plus subjects were there threatening to shoot up her house. The subjects were banging on the windows and doors trying to have the occupants come out. While officers were enroute, the reporting party advised shots had been fired. Upon arrival, officers detained two carloads of subjects leaving the scene. The victim stated the argument was over a $50.00 debt owed to her former boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend was in jail and allegedly had sent friends over to collect the debt. Officers determined that no shots had actually been fired. One of the subjects detained while trying to leave, 19 year old Dantejah Gordon, had a citable warrant for her arrest. Gordon was arrested and released on a citation with a new court date.
• ·10/27/2016 at 8:59 am, officers responded to the 4100 block of Amargosa Dr for a reported house fire. Upon arrival, the residence was found to be fully engulfed with flames. The resident was contacted in front of the house and it was determined he was the only occupant of the home at the time. Arson investigators responded to the scene and advised the fire started accidentally in the family room. Code Enforcement responded to the scene and tagged the house as unsafe to occupy. The occupants of the home declined assistance from Red Cross.

By Allen Payton

The oath of office ceremony for incoming mayor, Dr. Sean Wright, re-elected councilwoman Monica Wilson and new councilman Lamar Thorpe is scheduled for this Thursday, December 8 during a special meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Although it’s not being held on the customary and traditional second Tuesday of December, following the certification of election, there is precedent for holding a special meeting to swear in a new mayor and council members, as happened in 2012.

Wright said that the meeting will be streamed live on the City’s website and if not shown live on Comcast local cable TV channel 24, like regular council meetings, it will be recorded for airing later, so that more Antioch residents who want to can watch.

But, while the the meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m., according to the agenda under Item 1,  “If Certification for the November 8, 2016 election is received from the Contra Costa County Election Department prior to the Council’s December 8th Special Meeting, Staff recommends the Council adopt the resolution confirming the results of the November 8, 2016 General Election. If Certification is not received, Staff recommends continuing the item to a future meeting.”

Yet, according to the Elections Code section, which City Manager Steve Duran provided, when asked about scheduling the oaths of office on the 8th – which has been in the works for awhile – instead of the next regular council meeting on Tuesday, December 13th, it states the canvass must be completed before installing new officers.

10263. Upon the completion of the canvass and before installing the new officers, the governing body shall adopt a resolution reciting the fact of the election and the other matters that are enumerated in Section 10264. The governing body shall declare elected the persons for whom the highest number of votes were cast for each office.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the governing body shall meet at its usual place of meeting no later than the fourth Friday after the election to declare the results and to install the newly elected officers.

(b) For a consolidated election, the governing body shall meet at its usual place of meeting no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of the returns, or at a special meeting called for this purpose, to declare the results and to install the newly elected officers.

Therefore, if certification is not received and voted on by the council on Thursday night and must be continued to a future meeting, then the oaths of office must also be continued to a future meeting, both of which would have to occur next Tuesday, Dec. 13th, which is the “next regularly scheduled city council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of the returns.”

One cannot be done without the other occurring first, which is why the certification is on the agenda prior to the the ceremony, unless the oaths performed on Thursday night would merely be ceremonial. If so, the new mayor-elect and council member-elect would not be able to take their seats and the reorganization of the Council, under agenda Item 2 couldn’t occur and would have to also be postponed until next Tuesday.

However, in response to an email asking about the matter and if the canvass of returns also referred to as the certification of the election, will be done by this Thursday at 5:00 p.m., Duran responded, “The City is the governing body for the City election, even though the election was consolidated. The Elections Office said they will certify today.”

County Clerk Joe Canciamilla confirmed that, today, as well.

“We are done and just in the process of completing the paperwork necessary to send off to the SOS (Secretary of State),” he said this morning. “Certification will be official shortly and Arne was previously advised he could pick up his packet at 3 pm or thereafter.”

That advisement occurred in a letter Canciamilla sent out to city clerks and elections officials in the county, last month.

As for why the ceremony is being held this Thursday, instead of on the regular council meeting night, as some Antioch residents have been wondering, Duran had said previously it’s because the agenda was filling up and there wasn’t enough room or time for the ceremony, next Tuesday.

City Clerk Arne Simonsen confirmed that, today.

“Yes, the meeting on the 13th is a long one with closed session at 5:30 pm, an alphabet soup of items on consent and four public hearing items, in addition to regular agenda items,” he said. “That is why the decision was made to have the swearing in on the 8th.”

When asked why there couldn’t have been a special council meeting, next Thursday, December 15th to deal with the agenda items that couldn’t get done on the 13th, so the ceremony could be held that night, neither Duran nor Mayor Wade Harper, who in his position works with the city manager to set council agendas, did not respond.

When asked if he was included in the decision for holding the oath of office ceremony on Thursday, Wright responded, “As the Mayor elect I am very happy with the way that the swearing in ceremony is taking shape.  The meeting will be recorded and streamed live on our website so that citizens and family members who are unable to attend can watch. I have also been told that they are working with CCTV to broadcast live as well.”

“As we worked together to find a time that worked for our families and supporters the 5 PM start worked well and showed a willingness to compromise,” he continued. “I would love this meeting to be a celebration of a new beginning for me as Mayor and our council.  I hope that it can be free of controversy and be the beginning of a positive future for Antioch.”

“In such a close election with the results not giving us a clear cut winner until this weekend, I have not presumed victory and therefore not sat down with city staff and elected council members,” Wright explained.“This definitely puts us at a disadvantage when it comes to agendas but I have been in talks with Arne Simonsen today regarding this Thursday’s agenda and will sit down with Steve tomorrow to go over Thursday and next Tuesday’s agenda.  I am attempting to meet with council members this week and will make sure that I have a say in what is on the agenda and am ready to discuss those items included for Tuesday the 13th.”

“Again I will reiterate the hope that this Thursday is a celebration of a new council with a positive fresh start,” he added.

However, council meeting agendas only require a 72-hour public notice. Since the final results of the election were known last Saturday night, they could have waited to work with the new mayor-elect to set the agenda for either next Tuesday and/or this Thursday. Even if the results weren’t certified until Thursday, as Canciamilla’s office has the legal limit to do, next Tuesday’s council meeting agenda could have been decided that day, with the mayor-elect included.

Wright also had to make sure it was at 5:00 p.m., so he can attend his children’s school Christmas plays, later that night. In addition, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce had to move back by a half-hour, their annual Chairman’s Mixer to start at 5:30 p.m., so as not to conflict with the ceremony. Plus, since Duran and Harper had been planning for awhile to hold the ceremony and council reorganization this week, instead of waiting to find out who the new mayor would be and including him in the planning of the ceremony and the agenda for his first meeting on the 13th, Wilson had scheduled people to fly in to attend it on Thursday.

“All oaths of office will be performed at the same meeting,” Wright said. “The Chamber also worked with us and was flexible with the start time of the Mixer to allow those that wanted to attend both meetings the opportunity to do so.  Those wanting to join the Chairman’s Mixer following the meeting are welcome to attend.”

That will be hosted by new Chamber CEO and outgoing chairman, Richard Pagano and held at Tailgaters in Antioch.

So, beginning this Thursday, December 8th at 5:00 p.m., Antioch will have a new mayor and mayor pro tem, as Thorpe garnering the most votes in the council race, will be granted that two-year title, according to city ordinance, by a perfunctory vote of the council. The two new members will join Wilson, current Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, and Councilman Tony Tiscareno, both of whom aren’t up for re-election until 2018.

The council reorganization will include a brief bit of what will appear to be musical chairs as the members literally change seats. But, it will not include the nomination of council members by Wright to various city committees and regional boards on which they represent the city. Those require a vote of approval by the council and, according to Simonsen, they will be on the agenda for the January 10th council meeting.

The Council Chambers at City Hall are located at 3rd and H Streets, between 2nd and 3rd in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

Public comments allowed; district staff opposes; approval expected, eventually

By Allen Payton

The Antioch School Board will hold a special meeting, within the required time, to decide Rocketship Education’s petition to open a public charter school this Wednesday, December 7th. Although the board held and closed the public hearing on the proposed charter on November 9th, according to Superintendent Stephanie Anello, public comments will still be allowed at the meeting on Wednesday.

While AUSD has the lowest level of proficiency in both English and math among elementary students in all school districts in East County, Rocketship boasts of being able to help underachieving students in the districts they serve with their six schools in the Bay Area. They’re able to demonstrate that fact showing achievement statistics which outrank all of Antioch’s elementary schools, and many others, as well.

On Rocketship’s website, it states, “Nearly 9 of 10 Rocketeers in California were classified as ‘socioeconomically disadvantaged’ last school year.”

“In math, 49% of our disadvantaged Rocketeers met or beat the standard compared to 26% of similar students in the state and 28% in the local districts we serve.  Nearly twice as many Rocketeers are on the college and career ready path. In fact, our disadvantaged Rocketeers beat the state average in math for all students by 10 points! This is powerful proof that demographics do not define student achievement.”

In addition, their website also states, “In English Language Arts, 39% of our disadvantaged Rocketeers are on the college ready path compared to 32% of similar students in the state and 34% in local districts.”

With only 33% of Antioch students in grades K-5 proficient in English and 19% proficient in math, the private, non-profit organization’s success rate is appealing to many Antioch parents. Some spoke in favor of opening the school and wore purple shirts to show their support, during the public hearing.

Those statistics are even worse for Hispanic and African American students in Antioch elementary schools. Only 30% of Hispanic students are proficient in English and 16% are proficient in math, while only 22% of African American students are proficient in English and just 10% are proficient in math.

However, and although Rocketship pays their teachers more than AUSD does, many Antioch teachers oppose the charter school, speaking against it and wearing yellow shirts in opposition at the public hearing meeting. Although, Antioch High School teacher Sara Savacool, one of the leaders of the local teachers’ union, toured one of the Rocketship school sites with school board Trustee Alonzo Terry, she didn’t speak against the organization’s efforts to open one in Antioch at the public hearing.

If the charter school is opened, the district will lose 600 students who will transfer to the new school, continuing the decline in enrollment due to Antioch’s low performing schools, That will result in a loss of revenue from the state which is based on Average Daily Attendance of students in schools. Instead those funds will go to Rocketship to pay for their charter school operations.

The district’s staff is recommending a no vote on the petition. In the staff report, it states, “The Petition, as submitted, fails to provide a reasonably comprehensive description of several essential charter elements and suggests that the Petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program.  Accordingly, staff is recommending denial of the Petition.

The following reasons justify denial of the Petition prior to the commencement of the school’s operations: The Petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program presented in the Petition; and The Petition fails to provide a reasonably comprehensive description of all required elements of a charter Petition.”

To view the entire 23-page staff report, click here.

However, another effort by Rocketship to open a school in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, last year met with the same opposition, there, with both the school board, as well as the county school board voting no. But the petition ended up getting approved by the state Board of Education, which included the vote of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, a former Antioch teacher and city councilman, who was backed for election by the state teachers’ union. He instructed his staff to help Rocketship with their petition for that charter school in order for it to be acceptable. The school is now in operation. (See article on that, here).

As a result, proponents, and at least one opponent, are making the claim that regardless of how the Antioch School Board votes Wednesday night, Rocketship will eventually get their proposed charter school approved and opened in Antioch.

This will be the last decision both appointed incumbents, Terry and Fernando Navarro, will make as school board trustees. They both lost for election, last month and their term will end at next week’s regularly scheduled meeting on December 14.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held off-site at Lone Tree Elementary School at 1931 Mokelumne Drive to accommodate the expected larger crowd, as attended the public hearing meeting on the petition.