4th arrests this year for both suspects each with history of additional arrests

By Oakley Police Department

On December 17, 2024, Chief Paul Beard stated, “Criminals beware — the officers of the Oakley Police Department are diligent in detecting crime and locating offenders. It is our desire to see no crime occurring at all, but if it does, and if you are the one committing it, we will commit our resources towards finding you and arresting you.”

The next day the officers of the Oakley Police Department fully executed the meaning of that statement.

On December 18, 2024, at 1:46PM a victim who resides in the 800 block of Walnut Drive was not at home but reported seeing a person steal a package from the front porch via a Ring camera. The suspect fled in a green Kia vehicle. Officers began working on this case and started conducting follow-up investigations on it.

At 2:34PM Officer Palmer responded to the 4300 block of Redwood Drive to take a report of a package theft from a front porch. A video of the theft showed a female wearing a black Hollister hooded sweatshirt removing a package from the porch before fleeing the area.

At 3:23PM Officer Palmer responded to the 400 block of Devon Court to take a report of a package theft from a front porch. A video of the theft showed a female wearing a black Hollister hooded sweatshirt removing a package from the porch before fleeing the area.

At 4:34PM Officer Palmer responded to the 900 block of Almond Drive to take a report of a package theft from a front porch. A video of the theft showed a female wearing a black Hollister hooded sweatshirt removing a package from the porch before fleeing the area.

At 4:39PM Special Services Team Officer Navarrette was conducting follow-up on the string of package thefts and saw what we believed was the suspect vehicle driving in the 200 block of Delta Road. Officer Navarrette stopped the vehicle, and he was assisted by Officers Horn and M. Jackson. Randal Joan Alodee Locke (38, Antioch, born Jan. 15, 1986) and Ashlee Victoria Fletcher (35, Oakley, born June 27, 1989) were both found to be in possession of a plethora of stolen items, most likely from several days/nights of package thievery. Locke and Fletcher were both arrested and booked into jail for these thefts.

Even after these arrests were made, we continued to take reports of package thefts involving Locke and Fletcher:

At 5:02PM Officer Palmer again responded to the 900 block of Almond Drive to take a report of a package theft from a front porch. A video of the theft showed a female wearing a black Hollister hooded sweatshirt removing a package from the porch before fleeing the area.

At 6:27PM Officer M. Jackson responded to the 3800 block of Creekside Way to take a report of multiple packages stolen from the location. The victim’s property was located in possession of Locke and Fletcher and returned.

So far, we have been able to identify a total of eight victims and we have returned their items back to them. One of the victims said every Christmas package she had ordered for her children was stolen from her porch and returned to her by Oakley Officers.

We have not yet identified all victims, and we still have several items of stolen property in our custody. If you believe you were the recent victim of having your packages stolen, please call us at 925-625-8060 and we will try to identify any stolen property belonging to you.

Fourth Arrests This Year for Both Suspects with Additional History of Arrests

According to localcrimenews.com, it’s Locke’s fourth arrest this year, including three by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies on July 2 for vehicle theft and warrants or holds only, Sept. 9 for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle and taking vehicle without the owner’s consent, and Nov. 18 for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle. She was also previously arrested by the Solano County Sheriff’s Deputies in January 2020 for shoplifting, conspiracy to commit a crime, receiving or concealing stolen property, unauthorized use of personal identifying information, again by Antioch PD in Sept. 2020 for warrants or holds only, in Dec. 2021 for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle and in June 2022 for a bench warrant failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 200-pound Locke is Hispanic and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $20,000 bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, this is also Fletcher’s fourth arrest this year including on March 27th for grand theft and falsely impersonating another in his or her private or official capacity, on June 2nd for shoplifting not to exceed $950 and on Nov. 4th for warrants or holds only. She also has a history of arrests by both the Contra Costa and Alameda Sheriff’s Departments, plus, Antioch, Concord, Martinez, Dublin and Pleasanton Police Departments dating back to 2020 for crimes including grand theft, possession of burglar’s tools, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance in a prison, and unlawful use of willfully obtained personal identifying information.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, two-inch tall, 140-pound Fletcher is also Hispanic and being held in the West County Detention Facility on $20,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Hosts first of a series of regional convenings with immigrant rights groups, elected officials, and others ahead of Inauguration Day 

LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, issued two guidances to help California immigrants better understand their rights and protections under the law and avoid immigration scams by those seeking to take advantage of fear and uncertainty resulting from the President-elect’s inhumane threats of mass detention, arrests, and deportation. The guidances build on the Attorney General’s announcement earlier this month of updated model policies and recommendations to help public institutions like schools, hospitals, and courts comply with California law limiting state and local participation in immigration enforcement activities. Over the coming weeks, Attorney General Bonta will continue to help Californians prepare for changes to federal immigration policy in convenings with immigrant rights groups, elected officials, and others in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Salinas, San Francisco, and San Diego, where the Attorney General and California Department of Justice (CADOJ) staff will share resources, hear concerns, and discuss ongoing efforts to protect California’s immigrant communities.  

“In California, we know that our immigrants are the backbone of our communities, a driving force behind our economy, and an essential part of our history as a state,” said Bonta. “With the President-elect making clear his intent to move forward an inhumane and destructive immigration agenda once he takes office, CADOJ is releasing new and updated guidance to help immigrants understand their rights under the law. In California, we will ensure that the rights of our immigrant communities are respected and protected. I will be convening a series of discussions in the weeks ahead – the first here today in Los Angeles – focused on this essential mission.”

Know Your Immigration Rights and Protections Under the Law 

• You have the right to apply for and secure housing without sharing your immigration status. California law prohibits housing providers from asking about your immigration status unless you are applying for affordable housing funded by the federal government. Additionally, housing providers cannot harass or intimidate you by threatening or sharing information about your immigration status to ICE, law enforcement, or other government agencies.
• You have the right to access emergency medical care. Federal laws and regulations ensure the rights of all people to access emergency medical care, including undocumented immigrants.
• You have the right to an attorney. If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed attorney. If you are detained by ICE and/or are facing immigration proceedings, you have the right to seek legal assistance through an attorney. 
• State and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status. California law expressly prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes. 
• State and local law enforcement cannot share your personal information. This includes sharing your home or work address for immigration purposes, unless that information is available to the public or unless that information involves previous criminal arrest, convictions or similar criminal history.
• State and local law enforcement cannot assist ICE with immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. This means they cannot investigate, cannot interrogate, cannot arrest, and cannot detain you unless it is as part of joint federal task force where the primary purpose is not immigration enforcement.

The full “Know Your Immigration Rights” consumer alert is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.

Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams

If you need help applying for immigration relief, be careful who you hire. Watch out for immigration scams that can cost you thousands of dollars and/or harm your immigration status! Here are some tips and resources to help: 

• Go to a legitimate legal aid organization for free legal help. Many nonprofit organizations provide free immigration help to low-income individuals, such as those found through the resources below. To find a legal aid organization near you, go to lawhelpca.org. 
• Keep your original documents in a safe place. Don’t give your original documents to anyone unless you see proof that the government requires the original document. If you give someone an original, they may lose it or refuse to return it unless you pay them.
• Do not hire an immigration consultant or a notary. Only lawyers, accredited representatives, and recognized organizations can give you legal advice or represent you in immigration court. Immigration consultants – who may call themselves immigration experts, notarios, notaries public, or paralegals – cannot do so.
• Do not give money or personal information to anyone who calls, texts, or emails you claiming that there is a problem with your immigration matter. No federal or state agency, including USCIS, will ever ask for your personal information or payment over the phone, by email, or text.

For more dos and don’ts, see the full “Immigration Services Fraud” consumer alert available in English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.

Access Free and Low-Cost Legal Assistance 

Visit Law Help CA or Immigration Law Help to find immigration assistance near you.

File a Complaint  

If you believe your rights have been violated, report it to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report. 

If you believe you were subject to discrimination, harassment or retaliation, report it to the California Civil Rights Department at calcivilrights.ca.gov/complaintprocess/.

To further enhance state’s preparedness and accelerate ongoing cross-agency response efforts following spread of Avian influenza A (H5N1) in 16 states, including California and outside the Central Valley,

“To date, no person-to-person spread of Bird Flu has been detected in California and nearly all infected individuals had exposure to infected cattle.”

Sacramento, California – December 18, 2024 – Governor Gavin Newsom today proclaimed a State of Emergency to streamline and expedite the state’s response to Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as “Bird Flu.” This action comes as cases were detected in dairy cows on farms in Southern California, signaling the need to further expand monitoring and build on the coordinated statewide approach to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus. The virus has spread in 16 states among dairy cattle, following its first confirmed detection in Texas and Kansas in March 2024.

To date, no person-to-person spread of Bird Flu has been detected in California and nearly all infected individuals had exposure to infected cattle. California has already established the largest testing and monitoring system in the nation to respond to the outbreak.

This emergency proclamation will provide state and local agencies with additional flexibility around staffing, contracting, and other rules to support California’s evolving response. 

“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak. Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus,” said Newsom.

Ongoing efforts to prevent spread and serious infection

California has mobilized a comprehensive cross-agency response to Bird Flu in dairy cattle and poultry farms to minimize farm worker exposures, reduce raw dairy product contamination, and mitigate the spread of the virus. The state has enlisted local, state, and federal government technical and operational expertise to support all facets of the response; worked to educate the public, health professionals, employers, and workers on prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of exposure to Bird Flu; provided comprehensive information for employers and workers on personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements; and distributed millions of pieces of PPE to high-risk workers at dairy farms. 

Through coordinated public awareness efforts between the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other agencies, the state is leading a cross-agency response that includes timely public updates, multilingual outreach to dairy and poultry workers, targeted social media efforts to promote preventive practices, online and printed resources for the public, and media interviews to keep Californians informed. Additionally, the state is ensuring that agriculture workers have access to additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce concurrent flu risks.

Officials have also been working in close collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S.  Department of Agriculture, and local health and agricultural officials, as part of a whole-of-government effort to coordinate, implement, and ensure timely surveillance and investigation of potential cases of Bird Flu.

Bird flu in the United States

Bird Flu was first detected in the United States in the wild bird population in South Carolina in January 2022, and in the wild bird population in California in July 2022. On March 25, 2024, an outbreak of Bird Flu in dairy cows was first reported in Texas and Kansas, and CDFA took immediate action to monitor for Bird Flu infections in California herds. Since then, there have been 61 total reported confirmed cases of Bird Flu infection in humans across seven states, including 34 reported human cases in California.

On August 30, 2024, following its detection in 13 other states, Bird Flu was confirmed in a dairy cow in Central California, and the California Department of Public Health immediately activated its Medical Health Coordination Center. 

See Gov. Newsom’s Proclamation of a State of Emergency.

Will discuss extending interim superintendent’s contract, hire search firm for permanent position, consider School Plans for Student Achievement, racial equity policy

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, the Antioch School Board’s new Trustees Dee Smith and Olga Cobos-Smith, who were elected in November to represent Areas 3 and 4, respectively, along with re-elected Area 1 Trustee and current Board President Antonio Hernandez, who ran unopposed, will be sworn in. In addition, the board will also elect a new president, vice president and Board Member Liaison to the Contra Costa County School Boards Association.

The oaths of office will occur at 6:00 p.m. prior to the board’s Closed Session in which they will discuss the extending Interim Superintendent Dr. Rob Martinez’s contract for six months and a Tentative Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the California Schools Employee Association #85 – both of which will be voted on later during Open Session, plus legal matters, a Public Employee: Discipline/Dismissal/Release and re-entry of a student who was expelled.

New Trustees Thank Voters

In comments on Facebook, the newly elected board members announced their victories. On Nov. 25th, Brown shared a graphic with the message, “Thank you for your votes and faith in me to lead a positive change in our Antioch schools.”

She also wrote, “I am thankful to my family, campaign manager, media person, volunteers, sponsors, voters of AUSD Area 3, and everyone who encouraged me and prayed for me.

I am also thankful to my opponent, Principal Scott Bergerhouse, for his congratulatory message when he conceded his race. He has many years of education and has been there for countless families, something that I will never deem, but instead, I congratulate him for his many years of service, and the students he impacted.

Since the beginning of this process, I have told myself that slowing down and quitting is not an option. Although I knew I was not only experienced with having a seat at the table, I also deserved to be there.

For those who know me and know what I stand for and those who said she is just ‘A Mom who must have found her voice,’ I’ve always had a voice, and my voice is even louder as the mother of a beautiful daughter who is currently in TK, who will continue to excel, and reach for however many stars as she pleases.

I’m ready to work with ALL students, dedicated teachers, classified workers, school administrators, parents, and most importantly, our current Trustee Board Members.

There is a saying that says, “It takes a village.” I am honored to be part of a village that can help meet our children’s needs.

I will share more later, but for now, THANK YOU! Now, the real work begins.

~ Trustee Elect Dee Brown”

On Nov. 8 Cobos-Smith shared a screenshot of the election result and wrote simply, “Thank you Area 4 voters!!! One more tally on the 13th, but I think it’s safe to say that I will be the new trustee for area 4 on the Antioch school board.”

She already took action during last Tuesday’s city council meeting at which she spoke during public comments on the Council Committee Assignments objecting to District 3 Councilman Don Freitas being appointed to the City-School Committee instead of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker. Cobos-Smith cited the violence in that council district which is affecting students in the school district. Freitas then asked to be removed from consideration and to appoint his council colleague. That was agreed to as part of the motion to approve all the appointments which was approved on a 5-0 vote by the council.

Asked why she requeste that, the newly-elected trustee said, “I had a member of the community inform me that there was a young student who was attending a school, here in Antioch, and was related to one of the young men who was killed. When that parent reached out to the principal of that school and asked if there wer any resources to help that student, nothing happened. That really concerned me. There’s been a lot of sensationalism about the violence in the Sycamore area. But there are real children who are living in these homes.”

Asked if more AUSD students living in City Council District 1 experienced more violence than other parts of the city, Cobos-Smith replied, “No. In particular, it’s the gun violence that’s been happening. All the kids have been talking about it. I have some specific goals for the school district that I want to work on.”

Interim Superintendent & Search Firm Selection

Under Action Item 11.J., the board will vote on extending the current contract for Interim Superintendent Dr. Robert Martinez through June 2025. The proposed contract for Martinez includes a base annual salary of $353,045.

Following a solicitation of proposals and receiving four, under item 12.A. the trustees will also vote to select a search firm for hiring a permanent district superintendent and/or for consultation services to assist the Board of Trustees with goal development. 

School Plans for Student Achievement

In addition, under Action Item 11.G., according to district staff, the board will vote on School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA) for sites in receipt of federal categorical funding as presented.

As per District Board Policy 0420, each district school shall establish a school site council to develop, approve, and annually review and update a School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for schools that participate in state and federal categorical programs. The Board shall, at a regularly scheduled Board meeting, review and approve each school’s SPSA.

Each of the following schools participates in a federal categorical program(s) and is designated as a school-wide program (SWP). SWP schools are not required to identify specific students as eligible to participate in programming, nor are they required to ensure that Title I services are supplementary. This flexibility allows schools to maximize the impact of federal investment in support of all students that align with school and district goals outlined in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

Title I-designated schools received a portion of unused funds from the previous fiscal year. This extra allocation of funds is included in the updated SPSA, which received original Board approval in June 2024. All plans for the following schools were approved by their elected School Site Councils. District staff reviewed the plans to ensure that funding is used appropriately to support student achievement as required by the California Education Code. SPSAs are included for all District schools.

Racial Equity Policy

Under Item 17.A. the trustee will consider adopting new Board Policy 0415.1 Racial Equity.

According to the staff report, “The Governing Board of the Antioch Unified School District believes that meeting the needs of all students requires a commitment to racial equity in both the learning environment and opportunities provided, focusing on equitable outcomes for all. The historical and persistent opportunity gaps between racial and ethnic groups in AUSD are unacceptable and have significant consequences, representing an unfulfilled promise to our students.

Acknowledging the complex historical and societal factors that contribute to these disparities, the Board affirms it is a moral imperative to overcome these inequities so that race is no longer a predictor of achievement, school experience, or success. To address and eliminate institutional racism, barriers to achievement, and implicit biases, the District will actively identify and work to remedy practices, policies, and institutional systems that negatively impact learning, perpetuate opportunity gaps, and limit equal access for all students.”

The Board meetings are held in the District Office Board Room at 510 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown with the Closed Session beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the Open Session at 7:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed live on the AUSD YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@AntiochUnifiedSchoolDistrict.

See the complete board meeting agenda at  https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/ausd/Board.nsf/Public.

Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez

“to protect California schools from a drop-off in attendance or funding in response to federal threats of mass deportation.”

By Liz Sanders, Director of Communications, California Department of Education

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is sponsoring legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-33) on Monday, December 16, aimed at keeping U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents off of school campuses to protect California schools from a drop-off in attendance or funding in response to federal threats of mass deportation. 

The legislation to be introduced by Gonzalez will protect California schools from a potential decline in attendance or funding during potential increased immigration enforcement by protecting school zones, as well as school data and sensitive family information. 

The bill would: 

• prohibit school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and their personnel from granting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers or other federal authorities access to campuses without a judicial warrant;
• prohibit police cooperation with any immigration enforcement efforts within a one-mile radius of school to ensure a safe corridor for parents to bring their children to and from school; and
• prohibit the sharing of any information about students, families, their households, or school employees with ICE officers.

“This bill seeks to push back against threats of deportation that create fear in immigrant families. These practices suppress school attendance and rob schools of needed revenue,” said Thurmond. “I am honored to partner with bill author Senator Lena Gonzalez, other legislators, and immigrant rights groups to support our families and keep ICE off our school campuses—period.”

“All California children deserve safe school environments that prioritize student learning, regardless of immigration status,” said Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “As Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I’m proud to be partnering with Superintendent Tony Thurmond to author this important legislation, which will prevent disruptions to student learning, keep children in school, and prevent families from being torn apart.”

Research has shown that immigration enforcement in the area of schools has a chilling effect on school attendance for students from impacted communities, regardless of students’ citizenship or immigration status. It is reasonable to expect such adverse impacts on immigrant communities throughout California.

The legislation would also strengthen safeguards against unauthorized disclosure of education records and personal information to federal agents. Combined, these protections would ensure that families are able to safely send their children to school without fear of being separated from their children, and families would also be able to fill out necessary school forms that are essential to students’ well-being and educational services without fear of being separated from their children.  

In California, 93 percent of children who have one or more undocumented parents are U.S. citizens. Additionally, all children in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have a right to a free and appropriate public education. 

The proposed bill reflects California’s commitment to ensure that pandemic-era increases in chronic absenteeism do not recur and also reiterates California’s commitment to make sure that schools are welcoming environments where all families can safely bring their children to learn. It aligns with California’s broader efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and the protection of immigrant communities. 

As schools continue to face challenges related to student safety and data privacy, this bill sends a strong message that California is committed to safeguarding our students and families.

On January 13, 2025, BART will make schedule changes to accommodate the launch of construction to replace BART’s aged train control system with a modern Communications Based Train Control System.

The schedule change is happening in coordination with the region’s other transit systems as part of a collective effort to synch schedules, reduce impacts, and improve transfers for transit riders in the Bay Area.

Minor Adjustments

Overall, some departure times will shift by a few minutes, and we encourage riders to check the schedule before January 13, 2025, to see if their trip is impacted. In the coming days, BART will post the new PDF timetables and will update the Trip Planner with the new schedule. 

Late Night Construction between Colma and Millbrae for New Train Control System 

Crews will be working on the track between Colma and Millbrae nightly after 9pm to upgrade our train control system. To reduce delays from this work, the Yellow Line will terminate at SFO instead of Millbrae to provide the resiliency our system needs to keep trains running on time and as optimally as possible in this section of track during the construction.  

Late Night Changes for Millbrae Riders

After 9pm, Millbrae station will be served by a train that will run every 15 minutes between Millbrae and SFO only and riders will have an easy cross platform transfer at SFO to board a Yellow Line train to finish their trip. 

At Millbrae, two of the four trains each hour will be timed with Caltrain’s 30-minute service schedule to provide a good transfer between Caltrain and BART. 

As previously noted, after Red Line service ends each night, Yellow Line trains will terminate at SFO instead of Millbrae. Once at SFO, riders heading to Millbrae will cross the platform to board the Millbrae train, it will be labeled as a Yellow Line train to Millbrae. 

However, after midnight, the final four Yellow Line trains to SFO station will proceed to Millbrae (riders will not need to transfer for Millbrae service), similar to the current schedule. The final train of the evening will bypass SFO, as it always does, and go straight to Millbrae. This is consistent with the current schedule.

These late evening changes will be displayed in the PDF timetable and in the Trip Planner to guide riders. And the official BART system map online, and posted at stations, will indicate a change in trains is necessary between 9pm-midnight.

This nightly service plan for Millbrae riders is expected to last several years as BART has prioritized this section of track to be the first area to bring on Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) in the BART system. The state-of-the-art CBTC system will transform BART service by enabling trains to run closer together and by updating aged equipment. A modernized train control system will enable BART to increase projected Transbay capacity to 30-trains per hour per direction in the core system area, from the current limitation of 24-trains per hour per direction. 

Transit Coordination – The Big Synch

Bay Area transit agencies are now syncing schedules in a whole new way with a focus on improving transfers between systems and making schedule changes at the same time. 

Most Bay Area transit agencies are rolling out new schedules in mid-January in coordination with each other and have now aligned the timing of schedule changes twice each year, once in summer (mid-August) and once in winter (mid-January). Since 2022, the number of transit agencies with full schedule change alignment (changing schedules at the same time August and January) has increased from 4 to 19, for a 375% increase.

Advancing schedule change alignment is a key priority for Bay Area transit general managers who meet on a weekly basis to make transit more rider-focused and efficient. 

Releases 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report detailing successful efforts taken to deliver nation’s election mail securely, effectively

On average, ballots were delivered from voters to election officials within one day

CALIFORNIA — Today, the United States Postal Service released its 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report, outlining the agency’s steps to process more than 99.22 million ballots in the 2024 general election. The full report can be read here: 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report.

“In 2024, the Postal Service once again admirably performed our role of efficiently and effectively delivering the nation’s ballots,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “As we continue to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, we stand ready to work with policymakers at all levels to make the nation’s effective vote by mail process even stronger.”

The Postal Service’s success in 2024 was the result of a deepened focus on operational precision and integrated communications, the engagement of the USPS Election and Government Mail Services team and execution of longstanding, proven operational processes and procedures, including extraordinary measures.

As in previous general elections, the Postal Service deployed extraordinary measures in the final weeks of the election season to swiftly move Ballot Mail entered close to or on Election Day and/or the state’s return deadline. Extraordinary measures began on Monday, Oct. 21, continued nationwide through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and extended through the last day in each state that boards of elections accepted completed mail-in ballots as timely.

In 2024, the Postal Service’s extraordinary measures included but were not limited to: extra deliveries and collections; special pick-ups; specialized sort plans at processing facilities to expedite delivery to boards of elections; and local handling and transportation of ballots.

Key 2024 Election Mail Performance Statistics

As part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, USPS is responsible for processing, transporting, and delivering the nation’s Election Mail safely, securely, and on time. During the General Election, USPS processed more than 99 million ballots. On average, Ballot Mail sent from voters to election officials were delivered within one day.

• 99.22 Million Ballots Processed in the 2024 General Election: During the general election period of September 1 – November 15, the Postal Service delivered at least 99.22 million ballots to or from voters.*
• 99.88 Percent of Ballots Delivered to Election Officials Within a Week: The agency successfully processed, transported and delivered 99.88 percent of ballots from voters to election officials within seven days, and 99.64 percent within five days.**
• 97.73 Percent of Ballots Delivered from Voters to Election Officials Within Three Days: The Postal Service successfully returned 97.73 percent of ballots from voters to local election officials in fewer than three days.
• 1 Day Average Delivery Time for Ballots from Voters to Election Officials: On average, the Postal Service delivered ballots from voters to election officials within one day.

 3.37 Billion Pieces of Political and Election Mail Delivered in 2024: The total mail volume surpassed 3 billion mailpieces for both Political and Election Mail tracked.

As an essential part of the nation’s disaster response network, readiness and preparation for natural disasters are standard procedure for the Postal Service. In September and October 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated portions of Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina just weeks before the election. However, through the deployment of extraordinary measures in the weeks before Election Day, voters in the impacted areas who chose to use the mail to vote received performance comparable with the rest of the nation.

Recommendations To Improve the Nation’s Vote by Mail System in Future Election Cycles

The Postal Service is both a national service and a world-class logistics organization. As such, consistent policies are needed nationwide to ensure that operations run smoothly, that the 640,000 USPS employees understand what is expected of them, and the millions of customers can have trust in the Postal Service’s ability to deliver for them. At the same time, when it comes to the delivery of Election Mail, there are 50 states and nearly 8,000 election jurisdictions that are far from uniform in their election laws and practices, and that often do not consider how the mail system works.

This can result in a mismatch of timeframes, deadlines, ballot return suggestions and the practical reality of using the mail. Many of these laws and practices were not established with the Postal Service’s operations in mind.

As USPS continues to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, the organization stands ready to work with policymakers at all levels to continue educating them on how the mail works. While the Postal Service provides effective, efficient, and reliable service for all mail, including Election Mail, there are long-standing recommendations that policymakers should consider to help expedite the transport of mail-in ballots to and from voters including:

• Following and implementing USPS recommendations on mail piece preparation
• Applying visibility tools to Election and Ballot Mail
• Better understanding of Postal Operations
• Continuing voter education initiatives on state laws and reasonable mailing deadlines

*Total volume reflects volume that was identifiable as Ballot Mail by the Postal Service. 

**Performance data for outbound Ballot Mail (sent from local boards of elections to voters) includes only those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules.

Performance data for inbound Ballot Mail (sent from voters to local boards of elections) includes both those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules as well as the volume identified by a survey for which data is available from 10/21/2024 to 11/13/2024.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

By Sgt. Rob Green, Antioch Police Department  

On December 20, 2024, the Antioch Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6pm to 11pm at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Rob Green said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

The Antioch Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.