10/24/24 UPDATE: The victim “died over the weekend”, incident now investigated as vehicular manslaughter
By Lieutenant Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division
On October 12, 2024, at approximately 8:25 PM, Antioch Police officers responded to a report of a hit-and-run auto vs. pedestrian vehicle collision on Lone Tree Way near Canada Valley Road. Officers arrived on scene and found the 53-year-old female victim unresponsive on the ground in the eastbound lanes of Lone Tree Way. Officers performed first aid until relieved by paramedics. The victim was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries.
10/14/24 UPDATE: According to Interim Chief Brian Addington, “She is listed in critical condition.”
Traffic accident investigators were called out to take over the investigation. This investigation is still on-going, and the cause of the collision has not yet been determined. This case is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.
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.
10/23/24 UPDATE: Antioch Interim Police Chief Brian Addington and Captain Joe Vigil confirmed information shared in a comment on the Antioch Herald Facebook page that the victim “died over the weekend.”
10/24/24 UPDATE: When asked if it is now a homicide investigation Lt. Desmond Bittner said, “Anything related to a vehicle, it would be vehicular manslaughter, and the investigation is conducted like a homicide, but it is not classified as a homicide.”
The investigation and search for the suspect continues.
KTVU interview with Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe interview on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Video screenshot
In Wednesday TV news interview about new Violence Reduction Initiative; Bernal says, “No” he didn’t know about police scandals
Although scandals occurred while he’s been on the council since 2016 and mayor since 2020 Hernandez-Thorpe won’t accept any responsibility
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe who is seeking re-election to a second term in the position, and third term on the council, lashed out at his opponent, former city manager Ron Bernal on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, during a Bay Area TV news interview. He posted a video of the interview on his official Facebook page.
The KTVU interview was about the Violence Reduction Initiative approved the by city council the previous night providing up to $500,000 for help from outside agencies at a cost of up to $200 per hour for their officers and equipment. The plan is to supplement the effort of the Antioch Police Department specifically focusing on the City’s highest-crime areas of Sycamore and Cavallo Roads following a rash of 15 shootings in September, most of which occurred in those parts of town and results in the deaths of two young men.
During the interview the mayor blasted Bernal claiming he was responsible for the current crime which he blamed on the lack of officers due to the two scandals involving officers from both the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments that were investigated by both the Contra Costa DA’s Office and FBI. Hernandez-Thorpe said, “The former city manager left us with this mess.”
The scandals started with the selling of steroids and one officer taking tests so other officers could pass college courses to obtain greater pay and the initial investigation uncovered racist and offensive texts being sent by six officers but received by many more. The investigations resulted in 35 Antioch officers being placed on leave and ultimately, 10 officers being terminated. (See related articles here, here and here)
The texting occurred in 2019, 2020 and 2021 while Hernandez-Thorpe was on the city council having been elected in 2016 and during his first year as mayor, and when Bernal was city manager, having been first hired interim city manager then promoted to the permanent position both in March 2017. The mayor called for the firing of all the officers investigated for the text scandal in May 2023 and again the following month.
The KTVU reporter challenged the mayor asking him if he was elected in 2020, but she failed to ask him how long he’s served on the council. Hernandez-Thorpe’s first term as a council member began in December 2016 and included the time period of both police scandals.
The police chief at that time, Tammany Brooks, who was hired in May 2017, said he was unaware of the texts that were shared among officers’ personal cell phones, not their department-issued phones. In October 2021, Brooks retired from Antioch and took a new position with the Boise Police Department. Bernal retired at the end of December 2021.
It wasn’t always chilly between the mayor and Bernal. Following Bernal’s announcement of his retirement, Hernandez-Thorpe heaped praise upon him saying, “Ron is an impeccable human being, filled with compassion, understanding, and love. This has been demonstrated time after time in his relentless support and desire to house our unhoused neighbors, provide Antioch youth with new paths filled with opportunity, and much, much more. Ron has been a friend, confidant, and advisor. While Ron will be missed in his capacity as city manager, he and his wife will continue to be Antioch residents and neighbors to many of us.” (See related articles here and here)
This is the second time Hernandez-Thorpe has accused Bernal of something that occurred while both were serving in their respective positions. Earlier this year the mayor accused the former city manager of approving the decommissioning of the Antioch Amtrak station, which was later proven false. Bernal, with Hernandez-Thorpe’s knowledge, only approved the demolition of the building at the station. (See related article)
Questions for Hernandez-Thorpe Go Unanswered
Questions were sent Thursday morning to the mayor asking the following:
“If you’re going to blame the former city manager, who was hired in March 2017, shouldn’t you also accept at least part of the blame since you were one of his bosses and were on the council at the time?
Did you know about the texts being sent among the officers?
Since Chief Brooks was hired in May 2017 in your first year on the council and who said he was unaware of the texts as they were sent using the officers’ personal cell phones and that’s not something the department has oversight of, how could you expect the city manager to know of the texts? How could you or any of the council members be aware of them, either?
Since you twice called for the firing of all 35 officers on paid leave during the two investigations, most of whom only received the texts but didn’t send any, which if that had happened would have further depleted the number on the Antioch force by another 25 sworn officers, shouldn’t you take responsibility for contributing to the atmosphere that’s kept officers from wanting to come to work for our city?
As the mayor and one of five council members, do you accept any responsibility for the current crime problems, specifically the recent rash of 16 shootings in Antioch and lack of police officers on the force?
Do you think it’s appropriate to be campaigning during a TV interview about a new City effort to address the current increase in shootings in Antioch’s highest crime areas instead of focusing on the solutions?”
The mayor was also asked to share anything else about the matter.
But multiple attempts to reach Hernandez-Thorpe and his campaign consultant were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Bernal Says He Didn’t Know About the Police Scandals
In addition, Bernal was also asked questions about Hernandez-Thorpe’s accusations. He was asked:
“Did you know anything about the racist and offensive police texts while you were city manager?
Did you know anything about the use of steroids by some officers?
Were you aware of any reports from within the department that some officers were paying another officer to take tests for them to pass college courses in order to increase their pay?”
Bernal was also asked if he had any other comments about the matter.
Although his campaign consultant, Matt Shupe, responded, “Were not going to engage on any of these Lamar issues/topics/stories” and shared Bernal had also been interviewed by KTVU on Thursday, the candidate later responded simply with, “No, no and no. I have no further comment.”
The election is November 5th and whichever of the three running for mayor, including second-time candidate Rakesh Christian, is victorious will serve for a four-year term.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Shooting between two vehicles on Cavallo Road on Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, 2024, struck the County services building windows and a refrigerator inside. (See yellow circle). Left photo courtesy of Catrina Beverly. Center and right photos provided by a resident who chose to remain anonymous.
“No victims have come forward,” – Antioch Police Lt. John Fortner
16th shooting in city since Sept. 2nd
By Allen D. Payton
A shooting between occupants of two vehicles on Cavallo Road in Antioch, Tuesday evening, October 8, 2024, at about 6:30 p.m. struck the Contra Costa County Social Services building but no individuals.
“No victims have come forward,” said Antioch Police Lt. John Fortner. “We didn’t locate any victims, no hospital calls, nothing.”
“It was two cars going at each other,” he shared. “We’re still looking at video. Basically, what we have, it happened between the Mexican market and the County building in the street.”
Antioch Police investigated the Tuesday evening shooting on Cavallo Road north of E. 18th Street. Photo by a resident who chose to remain anonymous.
“There was a car on the roadway facing south, about the 1700 block of Cavallo, north of E. 18th Street. It was a lighter colored vehicle. A darker colored vehicle heading southbound slowed down as it neared the other vehicle. The occupants of one car started shooting at the other. Both cars ended up making U-turns in the middle of the street and heading northbound, with the darker colored vehicle turning first. So, the lighter colored car may have been chasing the other. We don’t know if it was an exchange or who started it.”
“We’re not aware of any buildings being struck,” he stated. But when informed of the photos provided to the Herald and shared by a resident on social media on Wednesday. Fortner then added, “I will confirm that and get back to you.”
To combat the violence the city council on Tuesday night approved spending up to $500,000 on a Violence Reduction Initiative paying up to $200 per hour for overtime to outside agency officers and for the use of their equipment, but not paying double-time to Antioch officers. The initiative is focused on in the Sycamore corridor and Cavallo Road neighborhood and is designed to assist the “understaffed, overworked police department”, according to District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker in whose district 15 of the shootings have occurred.
UPDATE: Up to $500,000, but only includes up to $200 per hour for outside agency officers and equipment costs, no double-time for Antioch Police officers
“This is a temporary measure. It is not a forever thing,” – Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe
“…we already have an understaffed, overworked police department,” – District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker in whose district all but one shooting occurred as her reason for opposing the double-time pay for Antioch officers.
Reverses tobacco retailer ordinance now allowing them to be sold or inherited
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Antioch City Council, with District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica absent due to illness, voted 4-0 to approve a Violence Reduction Initiative with a budget of up to $500,000 and offering up to $200 to cover the costs of police officers and equipment from outside agencies, but not to offer Antioch’s officers double time, for now. Then, to ensure “Opportunity Lives Here” in Antioch, again for tobacco retail owners, the council barely passed on a 3-0-1 vote revision to the ordinance adopted in 2017 banning the sale or transfer to heirs of their businesses in the city as of Jan. 1, 2023. It was also the first council meeting for new City Manager Bessie Mae Scott who started on Monday.
Approve up to $500,000 for Violence Reduction Initiative, Pay up to $200 per Hour but Only for Outside Agency Personnel
Following public comments that questioned the expenditure of the funds for the Violence Reduction Initiative proposed in response to the rash of 15 shootings in September, mostly in the Sycamore corridor, District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker, in whose district all but one of the shootings occurred, was the first member to weigh in on the issue. (See related article)
According to the city staff report, the proposal had three parts: “1) Authorizing the payment of double-time for Antioch Police Officer’s Association Members for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence as directed by the Chief of Police or his/her designee; 2) Authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements, approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office, to pay regional municipalities $200 per hour to send officers to work shifts in designated areas to reduce violence; and 3) Allocating up to $500,000 to fund this violence reduction initiative.”
“The double time for officers is for them to come in on their days office…to incentivize them…is what the double-time authorization is for,” the councilwoman stated “I don’t necessarily support the double-time. But I do support the use of outside support. What this really is to increase police presence in communities that need it most.”
Torres-Walker then went on another of her diatribes about her views on policing and public safety saying, “Had we invested up front in prevention of violence we wouldn’t need to invest in police” and if you want accountability, you’re not anti-police. “You don’t have to pander to Back the Blue, very dangerous individuals. You don’t want to be attacked by people who are very pro-police,” taking a swipe at a local police support Facebook group.
Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson then asked Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil about double time versus outside agencies.
“The idea of having a balanced approached of having a bit of both…to supplement our police staffing,” he responded. “The whole point of this was to incentivize the officers to come in on their day off.”
“So, we don’t even know if any agency is going to help,” Wilson stated.
“No. We do. We have one and we have two in the works,” Hernandez-Thorpe interjected.
Ogorchock asked, “There will still be forced overtime?”
“It’s built into the schedule,” Vigil stated.
“Should we offer this to our officers before offering it to outside agencies?” she asked.
“Correct,” he said.
“It’s up to $500,000, correct?”
“Correct,” he responded.
“It’s being allocated as it’s being used, correct?” the councilwoman continued.
“Correct,” Vigil stated.
“Our officers are already working toward overtime, correct?” Torres-Walker asked.
“Correct,” the Police Captain said.
“This will be managed…to make sure people aren’t too tired,” the District 1 Councilwoman stated. “We aren’t obligated to offer overtime. But we could use money to bring in outside support.”
“This doesn’t have to be offered to our officers, first. I heard you say that, but I don’t think that’s accurate,” the mayor stated.
“No. It’s not. I apologize for the confusion,” Vigil responded. “There would be a schedule put out and built.”
“The main focus of this is outside agencies,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “I know it’s both. But the primary purpose that the chief has been working on is outside agencies. Our officers are already working overtime.”
“Since we already have an understaffed, overworked police department then we wouldn’t be discussing number one, but only number two and three (of the proposal),” Torres-Walker pointed out.
“But this is for the areas we’ve been talking about. They are doing overtime,” the mayor said.
“Some people are not coming in on their day off,” Torres-Walker stated.
“That’s the point of the incentive,” Hernandez-Thorpe explained.
“That would make (section) one moot because they’re already working toward overtime from the direction of the police chief. They’re just not coming in on their days off,” the councilwoman reiterated.
“My goal has always been the outside agencies. That’s the chief’s goal. What I hear the captain saying is for officers to come in on their days off, is that correct?” the mayor asked.
“I don’t support the double-time, but I do support incentivizing outside agencies,” Torres-Walker repeated.
“They already do get the overtime. We’re authorizing double-time,” Vigil shared in response to a question by Hernandez-Thorpe.
“While we may get outside agencies it doesn’t mean we’ll get every single day outside agency support,” the mayor explained. “This is a temporary measure. It is not a forever thing and I think…we’re not just talking about Sycamore, we’re talking about 18th and Cavallo. So, we’re talking about other hot spots in the community, and we don’t want it to spill over.”
“Whatever direction ya’ll want to go in, I’ll support,” Torres-Walker then said. “It’s not additional people. It’s maybe two people, three people.”
“Yes. Two, four,” Vigil responded.
“It’s not in addition. We’re still understaffed,” the councilwoman reiterated. “So, we can temporarily deter violence, then we’re over policing in one neighborhood and under policing in another neighborhood. I will just be interested to see what the results will be.”
“So, if are they coming in with their vehicles are they using our vehicles?
“These are not full shifts, they’re partial shifts around certain days and times,” Vigil said. “We do not reimburse them for after they leave…just for when they’re here and their equipment.”
Ogorchock then moved approval of the funding of up to $500,000 to fund double-time for both Antioch and outside agency officers.
“I get the council’s concerns about the officers’ overtime. We can either vote on these individually or set a parameter around the use of overtime,” the mayor then offered.
“I think it would be easier to vote on them separately,” said City Attorney Thomas L. Smith.
Ogorchock then withdrew her motion. “I still have concerns about the unions and our officers and how it has to be offered to them, first. I have a hard time dealing with the rest of it.”
“It’s not an issue,” Hernandez-Thorpe said. “The outside agencies, I really need the council to support this.”
Wilson then made a new motion to only approve the double-time for officers from outside agencies up to $200 per hour and spending up to $500,000. Torres-Walker seconded the motion.
“So, the goal is, you, mayor is going to go talk to the chief?” Torres-Walker asked.
“The city manager,” the mayor stated.
She will go talk to the chief about the issue of overtime for Antioch’s officers, Torres-Walker explained.
The motion then passed 4-0.
Tobacco Retailer Ordinance Revision
After voting on August 8, 2017, to not allow owners of tobacco retail businesses in Antioch to sell or transfer them to their heirs, the Antioch City Council reversed course during their Tuesday meeting. With very few public comments on the matter and although Barbanica had pushed the issue and the council members proposed postponing the item until he could be in attendance, the council went ahead and barely passed the revisions to the ordinance on a vote of 3-0-1, with Wilson abstaining.
During discussion on the item, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said he was on the council in 2017 when the council voted for the original ordinance, as was Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock. The ordinance passed at that time on a 3-0 vote with Hernandez-Thorpe and Wilson absent from the meeting. It prohibited new tobacco and paraphernalia retailers from opening in the city and those that were legally established prior to the adoption of the ordinance could not be sold or transferred after January 1, 2023. (See related article)
The mayor said the council voted for it because of the problems with youth buying tobacco products and crime at or near the business. But he said to a few of the business owners in the audience, “I’ve been to your business. It’s not a crime hub. But there are some that are in crime hubs.”
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker said she was never in favor of preventing business owners from selling or passing them on to their heirs. Although Wilson said she thought her colleague made a good point about the business owners wanting to create generational wealth, she nevertheless would not support the revision to the ordinance.
“We are open and willing to work with city leaders to identify strategies that can enhance our response to gun violence and improve the overall safety of our neighborhoods.”
On behalf of the Antioch Police Officers Association, we want to address the troubling incidents of gun violence that have recently affected our community. The violent weekend, marked by several shootings, has understandably left many feeling unsafe and concerned about the future. (See related articles here, here and here)
First and foremost, we want to express our deepest sympathy to those who were injured and to their families. Gun violence is a serious issue that impacts not only those directly involved but also the broader community. We recognize the fear and frustration expressed by residents and business owners, including Mr. Loinab, whose experiences highlight the challenges we face in maintaining the safety of our neighborhoods. (See related TV news report and article)
The Antioch Police Department is committed to addressing these incidents with urgency and diligence. Our officers are actively investigating the recent shootings, and we encourage anyone with information to come forward. While we understand that many feel the current situation is dire, we want to assure you that we are working tirelessly to restore safety and security to our community.
We are open and willing to work with city leaders to identify strategies that can enhance our response to gun violence and improve the overall safety of our neighborhoods. Collaboration with city officials is essential in developing effective solutions that address the root causes of violence and ensure a secure environment for all residents.
However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges posed by limited staffing and availability of officers. We commend the Department’s ongoing efforts to prioritize hiring and expand our workforce. This is a crucial step in enhancing our response capabilities, but we recognize that building a fully-staffed department takes time. Adequate resources are essential to ensure that we can effectively patrol our neighborhoods, respond to incidents promptly, and provide the support our community needs.
We urge residents to remain vigilant and support one another while working collaboratively with law enforcement. Community engagement is vital; we need your input, your eyes, and your voices to help us effectively address these concerns.
We are also committed to advocating for additional resources and support from city leadership to enhance our policing capabilities and preventative measures. Your voices matter, and we encourage you to continue expressing your concerns to city officials, as their support is crucial in our fight against violence.
As we move forward, let us remember that change takes time, but together, we can create a safer Antioch. We appreciate your resilience and commitment to our community during these challenging times.
First one on south side of city; victim is 30-year-old man; police see unknown suspect
By Sgt A. Gonzalez #4336, Antioch Police Field Services Division
Antioch police officers are investigating an early Sunday morning shooting that sent one man to the hospital. On September 29, 2024, at approximately 4:01 A.M., Antioch police officers responded to a report of a 30-year-old man who had just been shot in the 2300 block of Huntsman Way at Whitetail Drive. Upon arrival, officers found a victim in the front yard of a house suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. Firefighters and paramedics provided aid, and the victim was transported to a local hospital. The victim is currently in critical but stable condition.
The suspect is currently unknown.
This investigation is in its preliminary stages, and evidence and witness statements are being collected. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released.
It is the 15th shooting in the city, this month, not including one that was believed to be an attempted suicide, two of which have resulted in the deaths of young men. But it’s the first one on the south side of town. Most of the others were in the Sycamore corridor believed to be part of a turf war according to both Interim Chief Brian Addington and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker. (See related articles here, here and here)
Antioch Police Officer with the unregistered loaded firearm and meth discovered in vehicle on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Photos: APD
Outstanding police work by Officers Kawalya and Tryner
By Antioch Police Department
Monday night, Sept. 23, 2024, at about 11 pm, Officer Tryner and FTO Kawalya conducted a proactive traffic stop near G and W. 10th Streets. During the stop, the driver showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for DUI. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, an unregistered loaded firearm, a scale used for weighing illegal drugs, and prescription medications.
If you’d like to join Officers Tryner and Kawalya in keeping Antioch safe, visit www.joinantiochpd.com to learn about our outstanding pay, benefits, and assignment opportunities!
Antioch Police Officer Molina with a stolen gun recovered during a traffic stop on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. Photos: APD
Another gun off the streets of Antioch thanks to call from resident
By Antioch Police Department
On Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, Officer Molina was dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle on San Carlos Drive. Officer Molina contacted the driver who was less than cooperative with the stop and appeared extremely nervous.
When the driver was removed from the vehicle a loaded STOLEN firearm fell from inside the vehicle and landed on the ground!
It’s good police work and calls from citizens like this one, that will help to turn the tide on violence in our community.
