By Pittsburg Police Department
Early Wednesday morning, Feb. 3, 2021, shortly after 10:30 A.M Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the 1500 Block of Jensen Drive on the report of a man possibly injured and laying in the street. As officers arrived on scene, they located the man and found him to be suffering from two gunshot wounds to the upper torso. The man stated he was in an altercation with another subject prior to the shooting. Officers immediately started life saving measures until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to an area hospital and is listed in critical, but stable condition.
Pittsburg Police Department Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the location to assist in the investigation. From initial information it is unknown why the man was shot, but it appears the man and the suspect know each other, and this is an isolated incident. Detectives are currently contacting witnesses and obtaining statements. Additional information is not available at this time.
The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.
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Officers will be on high alert for impaired drivers this weekend
By Jaime Coffee, Information Officer II, California Highway Patrol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Football fans may have to come up with a new game plan for this year’s Super Bowl festivities, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) still reminds everyone to put safety first.
California’s public health recommendations encourage residents to gather outdoors and with no more than three households. In addition, Californians should stay close to home and limit non-essential travel to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. If you must travel, the CHP wants to remind you of some important traffic safety tips to help you arrive safely: drive sober, avoid distractions, always buckle up and leave plenty of time to get to your destination.
“The Super Bowl is one of the most celebrated sporting events of the year, and I am encouraging Californians to celebrate responsibly,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “If you choose to drink, do not get behind the wheel. Designate a sober driver.”
CHP officers will be on high alert for impaired drivers this weekend. Alcohol is not the only substance that can lead to an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). Cannabis, prescription medications, and illegal drugs can all impair your ability to drive.
According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, four people died in alcohol-involved collisions in California on Super Bowl Sunday in 2020, and 120 people were injured. In addition, the CHP made more than 300 DUI arrests that day.
The public can help keep California roadways safe by calling 9-1-1 if they suspect an impaired driver. Callers should be prepared to give the vehicle’s description, location, license plate number and direction of travel.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
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By Brooke Converse, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Library
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has appointed Alison McKee as the next County Librarian. Ms. McKee has been with the Contra Costa County Library since 2002 and was appointed as interim county librarian in October. She previously served as deputy county librarian and has held positions including library assistant, librarian and senior community library manager in her tenure.
“It is exciting to join my colleagues in unanimously appointing Alison McKee as our next County Librarian,” said Diane Burgis, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “As an integral member of our library team, Alison will hit the ground running. She knows our library system and is able to continue to focus her and her team’s efforts on reopening our beloved libraries.”
As county librarian, Ms. McKee will oversee the library budget as well as many big projects including an upgrade of the Library’s IT security system and moving the library to a state sponsored broadband network that will increase internet speed at the libraries ten-fold. As deputy, she tackled some difficult and important projects including, project managing the launch of the new website, helping to launch the Library’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, opening the new Brentwood Library, and the project to build the new Pleasant Hill Library.
Ms. McKee looks to build upon the Contra Costa County Library’s reputation by working to implement many new modern library services and initiatives, promote library resources, and coordinate with city and town partners to improve and upgrade library facilities.
“I am honored to serve this county and its many diverse communities,” McKee said. “I know the public misses coming into our libraries and I pledge to continue to work hard to navigate the Library through these challenging times so that we can welcome our library patrons back inside as soon as possible.”
Ms. McKee holds a master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s in music performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The County contracted with Teri Black & Company, LLC to conduct the nationwide recruitment. Invitations and recruitment brochures were sent via traditional and electronic mail to 300-400 potential candidates and the recruitment garnered 29 applications. Four semi-finalists were forwarded to the County Selection Committee. After a series of interviews Ms. McKee was chosen for the position and unanimously appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
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450 arrests, 39 rescues by more than 100 state, federal and local agencies and tax forces
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County
Contra Costa victim service providers and law enforcement agencies participated in the 7th Annual statewide “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild” enforcement event organized by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce. This operation focuses on rescuing victims of sex trafficking, identifying and arresting their abusers, and disrupting demand for these vulnerable victims. This is the third straight year that Contra Costa has participated in the operation, since organizing its own Human Trafficking Taskforce. (See press conference video.)
“Our collective goal to end human trafficking and exploitation locally and statewide is evidenced in our unified regional and state-wide approach to combat these heinous crimes. The trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims will not be tolerated in Contra Costa or California,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.
Participating agencies made five arrests and rescued three victims in enforcement action occurring in East and Central Contra Costa County. Statewide, a total of 450 arrests and 39 rescues were made by more than 100 state, federal and local agencies and taskforces.
Contra Costa law service and service provider agencies included:
- Contra Costa Human Trafficking Taskforce
- Pittsburg Police Department
- Brentwood Police Department
- Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
- Walnut Creek Police Department
- Richmond Police Department
- San Pablo Police Department
- California Highway Patrol
- Contra Costa County Probation Department
- Community Violence Solutions
- Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Contra Costa’s Human Trafficking Taskforce brings together local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecution partners who enhance collaboration with victim service partners in order to investigate and prosecute all forms of trafficking our community in a trauma-informed manner while connecting survivors to culturally-competent services and support.
To report suspected trafficking, call the Human Trafficking Tip Line and leave a message: 925-957-8658
To get help, call Community Violence Solutions 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-800-670-7273
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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Supervisors question if it will help in high minority areas; form Measure X Sales Tax Advisory Committee; appoint new County Librarian
By Daniel Borsuk
An announcement that the Contra Costa Health Services will share a $40 million state grant with Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccinations, stirred Contra Costa Board of Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond to question whether the state aid will actually make a difference in leveling the inequity playing field where low vaccination rates under 6 percent persist in high minority parts of supervisorial District 1, District 3, and District 5 have not progressed while the vaccination rates in communities that have populations that are predominately white and wealthier are at nearly 20 percent vaccination rates.
“I acknowledge the good and hard work of the county, but we’re still not getting enough doses from the state,” said Supervisor Gioia at the supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday when Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth introduced Gilbert Salinas as the county’s equity officer.
Salinas said he will coordinate the work of 24 adult ambassadors to reach out in areas with high minority and elderly residents, particularly in the three supervisorial districts where vaccination rates are now less than 10 percent – 5 percent in Bethel Island, 6 percent in Oakley, 5 percent in Bay Point – while in wealthier and more Caucasian areas the vaccination rates have been 19 percent in Walnut Creek, 15.3 percent in Orinda, and 18 percent in Danville.
District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville said while her colleague Gioia focuses on black and Latino residents in high minority communities of Richmond, El Cerrito, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and Bethel Island, she said, “We also need to focus on the most at risk, and that includes the seniors at Rossmoor.” Her comment did not draw much reaction from colleagues or the public.
“I appreciate you (i.e. Supervisor Gioia) for bringing up this inequity issue, but this is an issue in slow motion. We have the sites and the staff. We just don’t have the supplies,” said board chair Dianne Burgis of Brentwood.
“I want to see the gap closed,” said vice chair Federal Glover of Pittsburg. “It’s a question of how we close the gap. Let’s close the gap. There are major equity issues that we need to address including the high percentage of evictions in these areas.”
Contra Costa Health Services Director Roth said the county might be turning the corner in its fight against Covid-19 as countywide hospital intensive care unit occupancy is falling from a high of 296 patients to a current occupancy of 172 patients. She also said of one million doses given in California, 127,560 doses had been administered in Contra Costa County.
Form Measure X Sales Tax Advisory Committee
Supervisors voted 4-1 with District 3 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff casting the dissenting vote, to form a 17-member Measure X Advisory Committee to advise the board of supervisors on how to spend an estimated $50 million in annual tax revenues for a wide range of county services. County voters last November passed Measure X, a ballot measure authorizing a ½ cent sales tax be levied countywide, exempting food sales. Collection of the sales tax begins in April and will be available for distribution in the fiscal year 2021/2022.
For a while Supervisors Mitchoff and Gioia squared off arguing over the pros and cons of two different models whereby volunteers serving on the Measure X Advisory Committee would advise the board of supervisors on public services. Gioia supported a 95% option and 5% option while Mitchoff favored a 50% -45%-5% formula.
“I am trying to avoid conflicts,” said Mitchoff. “There needs to be more of a level playing field. Fifty million dollars is a lot of money. I want the advisory committee to do some work. We are creating another layer for county staff to work with.”
Gioia’s proposal attracted the support of supervisors Burgis, Glover and Andersen. Appointments to the committee will be announced at a future meeting.
Appoint McKee County Librarian
Deputy County Librarians Alison P. McKee was appointed on a 5-0 vote to fill the post of County Librarian that was vacated by the retirement of former County Librarian Melinda Cervantes last year. The county will pay McKee $281,442 in annual cost for the post of which $51,568 is pension cost.
McKee holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Music Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Extend Eviction Protection and Rent Freeze
Supervisors passed Ordinance No. 2021-04 that extends a temporary eviction moratorium for certain residential and tenants and prohibits residential rents increases through June 30, 2021. The Urgency Ordinance also continues a temporary eviction moratorium on commercial tenants through March 31, 2021.
“Even as Covid-19 vaccines distribution gives us hope to ending the pandemic, we recognize the needs of Contra Costa residents and businesses,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis. “We encourage residents to stay vigilant and to seek resources. We will get through this together.”
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Dozens rescued, hundreds arrested
By Pittsburg Police Department
On January 29th, in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Pittsburg Police Department personnel took part in a statewide human trafficking operation. Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is an annual multi-agency initiative that focuses on rescuing victims of human trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, and identifying and arresting their captors. Police agencies and other trafficking task forces throughout the state joined in the operation this year to continue a no tolerance focus on human trafficking and sex crimes.
This year, the Pittsburg Police Department joined with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, and over 100 other agencies throughout the state of California to combat Human and Sex Trafficking. This statewide Task Force is an example of how individual law enforcement agencies can work together to be more effective when they join together.
As the operation took place throughout the state, Pittsburg Police Detectives were hard at work in our own community, making three arrests related to human trafficking crimes. In addition, several other suspects in human trafficking cases were identified. These arrests are part of the over 450 arrests and 39 rescues that were made throughout the statewide operation.
We were proud to do our part in making Operation Reclaim and Rebuild a big success in Contra Costa County.
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At their Board meeting on February 2, 2021, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Urgency Ordinance No. 2021-04 that continues a temporary eviction moratorium for certain residential tenants and a moratorium on certain residential rent increases through June 30, 2021. The Urgency Ordinance also continues a temporary eviction moratorium for certain commercial tenants through March 31, 2021. Ordinance No. 2021-04 supersedes Ordinance No. 2020-29.
“Even as COVID-19 vaccines distribution gives us hope to ending the pandemic, we recognize the need to continue protections for Contra Costa residents and businesses,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis, Board Chair. “Now is not the time to let down our guard against the virus. We encourage residents to stay vigilant and to seek resources. We will get through this together.”
Read the full document Ordinance No. 2021-04 (PDF). Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding this ordinance on the County website soon.
For information and resources, visit Contra Costa County at www.contracosta.ca.gov. For COVID-19 updates, visit Contra Costa Health Services at cchealth.org/coronavirus. If you have questions about the coronavirus, contact the multilingual Call Center at 1-844-729-8410, open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. For assistance after hours in multiple languages, please call 211 or 800-833-2900 or text HOPE to 20121.
Read MoreBy Timothy Leung, Public Information Officer, 4CD
In a report to the Contra Costa Community College District (District), the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Commission) has announced continued full accreditation of the District’s three colleges, but has also issued a warning to the District. The warning is the lightest sanction level that can be issued; however, District leadership has already started working on serious solutions. Five concerns have been raised by the Commission, four of them connected to Governing Board behavior that was widely reported by local media throughout 2020.
“I applaud our colleges who are doing tremendous work to increase the success of our students,” says Chancellor Bryan Reece. “To be clear, the Commission’s findings have nothing to do with teaching or our ability to provide the support our students need. Nevertheless, we accept the findings and are ready to roll up our sleeves and begin the hard work in addressing the areas of improvement around District governance.”
The five areas of improvement are:
- Standard III.A.5 (District Requirement 1): In order to meet the standard, the Commission requires that the District develop a process by which all classified employees are regularly and systematically evaluated.
- Standard IV.C.3 (District Requirement 2): In order to meet the standard, the Commission requires the Governing Board should follow its Board policy related to the Chancellor’s evaluation process.
- Standard IV.C.7 (District Requirement 3): In order to meet the standard, the Commission requires the Governing Board act consistently with its adopted policies and bylaws, and regularly assesses these policies and bylaws.
- Standard IV.C.11 (District Requirement 4): In order to meet the standard, the Commission requires the Governing Board uphold and adhere to their adopted code of ethics policy-BP 1010.
- Standard IV.C.12 (District Requirement 5): In order to meet the standard, the Commission requires the Governing Board delegate full responsibility and authority to the Chancellor to implement and administer board policies without board interference and hold the Chancellor accountable for the operation of the District and colleges.
“The Governing Board and our community members have been frustrated with these issues for a while and we take these findings seriously,” says Board President Andy Li. “We have already begun working together to address these issues, and I am confident the trustees will continue making progress toward addressing the Commission’s areas of improvement.”
With four of the five areas for improvement attached to the Governing Board, and one to the District Office, the Commission did not find areas of concern in the three colleges. In fact, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College were officially commended for best practices.
Diablo Valley College received a Commendation for exceeding the following accreditation standard:
Standards I.B.5, II.A.2, II.C.1 (College Commendation 1): The Commission commends the College for its use of data to assess the accomplishment of its mission through its program review process in order to continuously improve courses, programs, and student services.
Los Medanos College received a Commendation for exceeding the following accreditation standard:
Standard III.A.14 (College Commendation 1): The Commission commends the College for its robust offering of professional development opportunities in support of its mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives based on the use of data throughout College processes, including equity-centered practices.
A summary report highlighting the District’s progress in addressing the five areas is due to the Commission by October 2021, followed by a site visit from a peer review team to ensure continued progress is being made.
The Commission conducts accreditation for all community colleges in California (and other areas as well). Colleges are evaluated on a six-year cycle, and will soon transition to a seven-year cycle. During these comprehensive evaluations, the Commission also includes a review of the District Office and Governing Board, but their accreditation decision is applied to the colleges themselves.
About the College District
The Contra Costa Community College District (District) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The District serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.
Read MoreBy Hercules Police Department
On January 29, 2021, at 11:19 am, an officer located a vehicle associated with multiple thefts from The Home Depot throughout the state.
On January 28, 2021, Hercules Officers were alerted of a suspect known throughout the state to steal items from The Home Depot and then make returns on some of the items stolen to make back the money for the purchased item. The Home Depot has been working cases for this suspect for over three years and believes he has stolen over $4.5 million from The Home Depot. Since September of last year, it is confirmed that the suspect had stolen over $500,000 from multiple different Home Depot stores up and down the west coast.
An officer located the suspect vehicle, a 2006 Ford Econoline Van, backed into a 1500 Sycamore Avenue parking stall. Officers waited for the man, identified as Miguel Alderete, age 49 of Hercules and Los Angeles, to return to his vehicle, where he was contacted and detained. His vehicle’s search resulted in approximately $10,000 of stolen merchandise from The Home Depot in the van. The occupants of the van were arrested and transported to jail.
A multi-state organized retail theft crew was apprehended after four years of stealing from The Home Depot. The estimated loss during that time is about $4.5 million. This crew averages about $105,000 per month in thefts.
After eluding multiple agencies, Hercules Police were able to catch the culprits, including a second suspect, identified as Antonio Marquez, age 56 from Southern California, in a shopping center across from The Home Depot. The crew had approximately $10,000 of merchandise in their possession from thefts that day in Tracy, Fairfield and Vallejo.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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Less than 5% immunization compared to 11-13.8% in Alamo, Lafayette and Walnut Creek where the population is older.
The county is distributing the vaccine primarily to residents 75 years and older, said Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano – “I really do believe we are at the turning of the tide of this pandemic at this point.”
Annual Board Retreat held virtually
By Daniel Borsuk
During the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors annual retreat Tuesday, Jan. 26, the county’s top health official made a major admission, saying her department will investigate questions into claims of unequal distribution of COVID-19 vaccination injections in areas with high populations of Black and Latino residents.
Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth was put in the hot seat by District 1 Supervisor John Gioia who, like last week, raised similar questions as to why the COVID-19 vaccine is being unequally distributed in the district he represents. His district includes the cities of Richmond and El Cerrito and other communities with high percentages of minorities who are more prone to be stricken with coronavirus, than in other communities that tend to be wealthier and have higher percentages of white residents.
Gioia also cited other high percentage minority communities like Antioch, Bay Point, and Pittsburg in supervisorial District 5 for exposing residents to the COVID-19. District 5 is represented by Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg who did not comment on the issue.
Gioia said the vaccination rate in Antioch is five percent, in Bay Point it is 4.3 percent, in Richmond it’s 4.5 percent, while in Alamo the vaccination rate is 11 percent, 12 percent in Lafayette, and 13.8 percent in Walnut Creek.
“You make a very important point. The early data is showing an inequity,” Health Director Roth said. “We hear your request for a more specific plan.”
Last week, when Gioia raised the same inequity issue, Roth did not acknowledge the Supervisor’s issue as significant enough for possible further study.
Discussion about the vaccine inequity distribution issue arose at the same time Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s administration announced it would boost the supply of COVID-19 vaccines by about 16 percent for the next three weeks. White House officials said the order would buy enough additional doses to vaccinate most of the U.S. population with a with a two-dose regimen by the end of summer. Contra Costa County Health officials were unavailable to comment about that development. Like all counties in California, vaccine distribution is overseen by the state.
However, during the Health Services COVID-19 Response Update to the board, Dr. Chris Farnitano, the county’s health officer, pointed out that the county is distributing the vaccine primarily to residents 75 years and older. Of 93,000 doses administered, 61,000 have been given to citizens older than 75 years, he explained.
“I really do believe we are at the turning of the tide of this pandemic at this point,” Farnitano also stated at the end of the presentation.
Retreat Highlights
During their remotely held retreat, the supervisors were presented glimpses of the 2021 budget, economic forecasts, future capital improvement projects, redistricting, economic development, and developments planned at the two County-owned airports in Byron and at Buchanan Field in Concord.
Among some of the highlights of the presentations were:
- Supervisors expressed their preference for the potential construction of a 20,000 square foot, two-story office building with 80 underground parking spaces to be built at 651 Pine St., the former site of the 12-story McBrien Administration Building that will be demolished now that that county’s new four story $95 million administration David Twa Administration Building has been completed and is open for limited occupancy due to COVID-19.
“The economy will be roaring back,” forecast economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg. He made the prediction despite the fact that California faces a $54 billion budget deficit, “public transit like BART is going to have a tough time getting out of this thing, but electrically powered cars I see coming down the pike.”
- Former County Administrator David Twa will oversee work on the county’s redistricting process, a process that occurs every 10 years to adjust supervisorial district boundaries. The complex process involves conducting public hearings and meeting state and federal guidelines that are dependent on when the federal government releases 2020 census data. There is concern that due to COVID-19, the availability of census data might be delayed.
- The two county airports at Byron and Buchanan have generated a 9% increase in revenue for the county since 2017. The Byron airport recently landed, said Airports Director Keith Freitas, a vertical take landing aviation company. There are 10 ongoing development projects at the airports including fire station No. 9 and a new administration building at the Buchanan Airport in Concord.