Double-time pay for Antioch cops, Sycamore Drive land lease for possible police substation, potential upgrades to Amtrak Station to stave off closure

Fiscal Year ends with $3.5 million surplus, mainly due to vacant position savings, mostly in police dep’t

Will respond to Grand Jury report noncompliance letter

City awarded $6.8 million grant to clear homeless encampments

By Allen D. Payton

During tonight’s Antioch City Council meeting, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the mayor and two members who will no longer be on the council as of early December, will, along with the other two members, consider multiple items, including adding a second assistant city manager at a cost of over $425,000 per year, even though the current position is still vacant.

Under agenda item #’s 15 and 16, at the request of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, the council will consider leasing the vacant property across from the Sycamore Square shopping center on the corner of Sycamore Road and L Street, and space in the center for a police substation, even though the Antioch Police Facility is just one mile away.

In addition, under agenda item #1, the council will consider upgrades to the Amtrak Station to avoid its decommissioning. According to the staff report, “the fiscal impact is unknown at this time until direction on this item is provided.”

Those are in spite of the fact the City is facing double-digit deficits over the next three years, and federal funding for a variety of current projects and programs, including the Opportunity Village, homeless hotel, runs out at the end of December. However, the council will receive good news in the form of a net surplus of $3.5 million for Fiscal Year 2023/24 that ended on June 30th which will reduce those future fiscal year deficits.

Budget Adjustments – Agenda Item #10

That good news comes in the form of the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Unaudited Closing Numbers.  According to the staff report, “Fiscal Year 2023/24 closed on June 30, 2024. Revenues exceeded expenditures by $8,862,934, however, $5,358,842 of this ‘excess’ is from encumbrances and project budgets unspent as of June 30th being rolled over into FY25…for a realized net surplus of $3,504,092. This amount is being set aside in the Budget Stabilization Fund at June 30, 2024, leaving a General Fund reserve balance of $43,258,769 and a balance in the Budget Stabilization Fund of $41,131,470 as of June 30, 2024.”

The report also shows FY2024 Revenues were $2,371,877 higher than projected due mainly to $1.36M in additional interest income from the high interest rate environment of the City’s investment portfolio. Expenditures were $11,726,745 less than projected. Yet, a large amount was due to $4,866,210 in salary savings from all unfilled positions, of which $3,554,451 was in the police department due to its understaffing.

During discussion of item #10 entitled, “Appropriating Expenditures for Encumbrances and Project Budgets Outstanding to the 2024/25 Fiscal Year Budget and Approving Other Amendments to the 2024/25 Fiscal Year Budget” the new city manager is requesting a second assistant city manager. According to the city staff report for the item, “The estimated annual salary and benefit cost of the position at Step E is $425,494, with the budget impact and amendment required for 6 months of $212,747.”

The current assistant city manager position is vacant, as Parks and Recreation Director Brad Helfenberger is no longer serving as the Acting Assistant City Manager.

Response to Civil Grand Jury’s Noncompliance Letter – Agenda Item #2

In response to Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe’s letter dated Sept. 11, 2024, responding to the Civil Grand Jury’s investigation report issued earlier this year, entited, “Challenges Facing the City of Antioch”, the Grand Jury rejected the council’s response. In two letters dated Oct. 3, 2024, and received by the City on Oct. 7, Foreperson Ed Sarubbi wrote in the first, “The Grand Jury…finds that it does not comply with the requirements of Section 933.05 of the California Penal Code in the following respects: Response to Findings 6 and 13: A response of ‘The City disagrees with this finding requires an explanation.’ The Grand Jury requests that you resubmit your responses in its entirety within 10 days of the date of this letter, following the directions in the original letter of transmittal.”

In the second letter, Sarubbi requested the same writing, “Response to Recommendations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5: A response of ‘The City agrees with this recommendation’ is not a valid response.” He’s asking for the mayor to resubmit the council’s responses to those recommendations, also within 10 days.

The City is already out of compliance as a draft response letter was written and dated in October, but the council has yet to approve it, as the matter was not placed on the agenda until the Oct. 22nd meeting and then was continued to tonight’s meeting.

Double-Time Pay for Antioch Police Personnel in Violence Reduction Initiative – Agenda Item #11

After approving the Violence Reduction Initiative last month, allocating up to $500,000 for overtime pay and costs for the assistance of police and equipment from outside agencies, under item #11 the city council will consider adopting “a resolution authorizing the Chief of Police to pay double the standard hourly wage (“double-time”) to Antioch Police Department Sergeants, Corporals, Officers, Community Service Officers, and Dispatch personnel for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence.”

State Homeless Encampment Cleanout Grant – Agenda Item #12

More good news on the agenda includes the council considering adopting “a resolution accepting the Department of Housing and Community Development Division of Housing Policy Development (HCD) Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF)” Round 3 award in the amount of $6,812,686.

According to the city staff report for the item, #12, “The proposed project in Antioch aims to address a significant encampment located on wooded land near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Devpar Court. As one of the City’s two large encampments, it has been prioritized for resolution due to the vulnerability of its 30-40 residents and the hazardous conditions present at the site.”

City Attorney Oversight of City Clerk’s Office – Agenda Item #13

Under agenda  item #13, outgoing City Clerk Ellie Householder is recommending that the city council adopt a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 2022/167, “Approving the City Clerk’s Request for the City Attorney to Provide Managerial Oversight of the City Clerk’s Department in Cooperation with the City Clerk” that had previously been approved.

Council Meeting Details

The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. with a Closed Session on two lawsuits the City is facing, followed by the Regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be seen via livestream on the City’s website or viewed on either Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99. See the complete agenda packet.

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

Antioch Police Department detectives are investigating a shooting that sent one man to the hospital. On November 10th, at approximately 2:55 PM, Antioch police officers responded to reports of shots fired around Sycamore Drive and Peppertree Way. As officers arrived on the scene, they located evidence of a shooting in the roadway between Peppertree Way and Lemontree Way.

Officers found a 23-year-old man inside Sycamore Square suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers performed medical aid until relieved by ConFire paramedics. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he is listed in critical but stable condition.

It’s the 21st shooting in the city since Sept. 2nd which has claimed the lives of two young men and the fourth since the city council approved the Violence Reduction Initiative focused on both the Sycamore corridor and Cavallo Road neighborhood. Of the total, 18 shootings have occurred in the Sycamore corridor.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Has history of arrests including for same crimes in 2021

By Lt. Joe Njoroge #7052, Antioch Police Field Services Division

A nearly eight-hour standoff with an armed man ended with the suspect being arrested by the APD SWAT team. On November 8th, at approximately 3:43 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, felony domestic violence, kidnapping, robbery, and violation of a court order in the 1000 block of Stonecrest Drive.

It was reported that a woman had been assaulted, kidnapped, and robbed by the suspect. Officers arrived on the scene and found the 47-year-old female victim outside the home. The suspect was believed to be armed and had barricaded himself inside the home. Officers also discovered that the suspect had violated the terms of a court order during the incident and had several unrelated felony arrest warrants for violating the terms of his probation.

Officers attempted to negotiate with the man for several hours, but he refused to comply with commands and even displayed a large knife at officers. The Antioch Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Antioch Police Department SWAT team responded to the home and continued negotiations.

At 11:46 p.m., the APD SWAT team took the suspect, 61-year-old Tony Lamar Watson (born 6/16/63) of Antioch, into custody. He was transported to a hospital for further medical evaluation and later booked into the county jail for the charges of assault with a deadly weapon – force, felony domestic violence, kidnapping, robbery, violation of court order, resisting arrest and felony warrants.

According to Interim Police Chief Brian Addington the suspect lives at the home and the victim has a restraining order against him. “She has a court order against him to stay away,” he said. “But she was over there at his place.”

During the standoff, the police department issued a public notice to avoid the area and for all residents in the area to shelter in place. The notice read, “Please avoid the 1000-block of Stonecrest Drive due to police activity. Officers are working a contained emergency situation and need the area kept clear for first responders. There is no threat to the public. All residents in this area are asked to shelter in place until further notice. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are reporting an emergency.” It was later lifted following the end of the standoff and arrrest.

According to localcrimenews.com, Watson has a history of arrests dating back to 2018 by Antioch PD and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for crimes including battery on a spouse, co-habitant, former spouse; battery on a person, shoplifting, assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, robbery, and resisting, obstruct or delaying a peace officer. In February this year he was arrested for burglary, disobeying a domestic relations court order, conspiracy to commit a crime and lying to police.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the suspect is Black and as of 6:08 AM on Saturday, Nov. 9, he is still in custody. No additional information was provided as of publication time.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Driver veered off roadway to avoid gunfire

Police seek victims, suspect in 19th, 20th shootings in city since Sept. 2nd

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

Antioch police are investigating two shootings that appear to be related in connection with a rolling gun battle.

At approximately 6:18 PM, Antioch police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Sycamore Drive and L Street. Officers arrived and found evidence of a shooting in the roadway between L Street and Peppertree Way. Officers also found a vehicle rollover crash in the parking lot of Sycamore Square in the 1100 block of Sycamore Drive.

Antioch PD dispatchers then received additional reports of another shooting on Auto Center Drive near Century Boulevard. Officers arrived and discovered evidence of a shooting. One victim reported that their vehicle had been struck by gunfire.

Based on the preliminary investigation, the two shootings appear to be related. Antioch police investigators are looking for the vehicles and the suspects involved. Evidence also indicates that the vehicle collision was not directly involved in the shooting on Sycamore Drive. The driver veered off the roadway to avoid the gunfire. No other victims have come forward at this time.

An earlier shooting Tuesday, also occurred in the Sycamore Drive area at approximately 12:42 p.m. in which an 18-year-old male was injured.

The latest two shootings are the 19th and 20th in the city since Sept. 2nd, which claimed the lives of two men. They’re the second and third shootings since the city council approved the Violence Reduction Initiative focused on both the Sycamore corridor and Cavallo Road neighborhood.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

17th in city since Sept. 2nd, first since council approved Violence Reduction Initiative

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Tuesday, November 05, 2024, at approximately 12:42 PM, Antioch police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Sycamore Drive and Peppertree Way. Officers arrived on scene and located evidence of a shooting in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. While officers canvassed the scene, an 18-year-old male victim arrived at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound.

Through the investigation, it was determined the victim was at the scene of the shooting. The 18-year-old victim is in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive. This case is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.

The shooting is the 17th in the city since September 2nd which claimed the lives of two men. It’s the first since the council  approved the Violence Reduction Initiative paying up to $200 per hour for overtime to outside agency officers and for the use of their equipment and focused on both the Sycamore corridor and Cavallo Road neighborhood. The initiative is designed to assist the “understaffed, overworked police department”, according to District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker in whose district 16 of the shootings have occurred.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Has history of arrests dating back to 2014, twice for shoplifting less than $950; already out of custody

By Benicia Police Department

During the late night hours on Sunday, Nov. 3rd, officers made contact with a driver for multiple vehicle code violations in the 1900 Block of E. 2nd Street.  During the initial conversation officers noticed a meth pipe visible in the vehicle.  Upon further search, the suspect, 48-year-old male out of Antioch, Gabriel Ryan Henry was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. 

Also found were Norco pill (without prescription), burglary tools, multiple plastic bottles smelling of gasoline, a collection of flexible hoses, bolt cutters, and approximately $500 of stolen groceries from the Benicia Safeway.  The suspect’s car was impounded, and he was arrested and booked into County Jail without incident. 

The five-foot, nine-inch tall, 230-pound Hispanic suspect was charged with the following crimes:

11377(A) HS: Possess controlled substance (M)
11350(A) HS: Possess narcotic controlled substance (M)
11364(A) HS: Possess unlawful paraphernalia (M)
4060 BP: Possess controlled substances without a prescription (M)
466 PC: Possess/etc burglary tools (M)
459.5(A) PC: Shoplifting (M)

Case #24-1642

According to localcrimenews.com, Henry’s bail was set at $7,500 and has a history of arrests by dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including Concord PD, Walnut Creek PD, Clayton PD, Dublin PD and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with a variety of crimes including petty theft, drug possession, receiving or concealing stolen property and shoplifting.

According to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Henry was released early Monday morning, Nov. 4th.

By Lt. Joe Njoroge #7052, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On November 02, 2024, at approximately 7:56 PM, Antioch Police officers responded to reports of a solo go-cart collision on N. Lake Drive. Upon arrival, officers found the 54-year-old male (unknown resident) driver of the go-cart on the ground, suffering from major injuries and unresponsive. Officers on scene immediately provided medical assistance to the driver until paramedics arrived. The driver was thereafter transported to an area hospital where he is currently being treated.

Traffic Accident Investigators took over the investigation. This collision investigation is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.

Based on preliminary information at the scene, it was determined the go-cart driver was traveling eastbound on N. Lake Drive at a high rate of speed and collided with a parked vehicle after veering off the roadway.

According to a resident who chose to remain anonymous a neighbor said, “I thought someone had died. There was blood everywhere.”

“APD towed a go-cart, I was told,” the resident continued. “Someone always driving around Lake Alhambra in a go-cart.  Those don’t belong on the street!!!”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Traffic Collision Investigator Sergeant Green at 925-779-6864, email rgreen@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Helps fund the STREET III – Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce

By CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received $2 million in federal funding that will expand its major crackdown on dangerous sideshows and street racing statewide, holding participants and organizers accountable for reckless driving behaviors.

Federal funding for the Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce (STREET III) grant comes after the CHP received $5.5 million in state funding to combat illegal street racing and sideshow activities, resulting in a 40% decrease in illegal sideshow incidents from 2021 to 2022. The STREET III grant aims to reduce the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes attributed to reckless driving, street racing, and sideshows. The CHP will implement a public awareness campaign to tackle these unlawful activities and conduct specialized enforcement operations such as excessive speeding behaviors where motorists are traveling more than 100 mph on state highways. Last year, CHP officers participating in specialized speed enforcement operations from January 2023 to July 2024 issued over 30,000 citations to motorists exceeding 100 mph.

“Sideshows and street takeovers are reckless, criminal activities that endanger our communities and make streets less safe. We have seen too many people killed or hurt at these illegal events. California will continue to ramp up our efforts to crack down on sideshows. For anyone considering attending a sideshow: know that not only do you risk getting hurt at these events, but you also risk the potential loss of your vehicle,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Since February, the CHP has made 1,125 arrests, seized 110 illegal guns, and recovered more than 2,000 stolen vehicles in Alameda County and the East Bay alone. Last month, Governor Newsom signed four bills into law that impose stricter penalties and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat sideshows and street takeovers.

“The CHP’s top priority is the safety of our communities. This new grant allows us to strengthen our efforts in addressing the growing issues of sideshows and illegal street racing, which endanger lives and disrupt neighborhoods,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.“By increasing patrols, deploying advanced technology, and partnering with local organizations, we are committed to making our roads safer and holding those responsible for reckless driving accountable.”

Alongside allied agencies, the CHP established task forces to tackle the challenges posed by street racing and sideshows.  In addition, social media initiatives have been introduced to enhance public awareness regarding the dangers associated with aggressive driving behaviors, including illegal street racing and sideshows. The STREET III grant allows for a campaign starting this month through September 30, 2025. 

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

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.