By John Gioia, Supervisor, District One, Contra Costa County
I want to invite you to my annual Holiday Party and Community Open House to support Verde School on Thursday, December 7th at 5:30 PM at my District Office, 11780 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, Suite D.
Let’s chat about what we’re grateful for and what we can do together next year to make an impact. We’ll enjoy desserts, appetizers, and refreshments with neighbors.
Thanks to the great work of parents, educators, and students, Verde School is a shining light in North Richmond. We are proud to support the success of these children. We need your help again this year to provide every student with a new book and rain jacket.
Please help us raise $2,000 by the end of the week, towards our total goal of raising $7,000. Your donation will allow us to order the rain jackets in time to spread holiday joy at Verde School.
Your donation can be mailed to my office at 11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D, El Cerrito, CA 94530 with a check payable to the non-profit “CHDC of North Richmond” c/o Verde School Drive. You can also donate online, click here.
A warm thanks in advance for your help and support! See you at our party on December 7th!
All donations must be received by Friday, December 8th.
If you have questions, please contact Tania Pulido in my office (510-942-2225) or tania.pulido@bos.cccounty.us
Read MoreAnytime, day or night, people in Contra Costa County can now access immediate support during a behavioral health crisis. Starting Dec. 1, Contra Costa Health’s A3 program will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People facing a behavioral health, mental health or substance use crisis can call the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center 24/7 at 844-844-5544 for care over the phone and have an in-person team dispatched to them if needed.
“Using our new Measure X sales tax funds to make immediate mental health crisis response available anytime to all Contra Costans will improve quality of life and reduce the harm caused by mental health challenges,” said Supervisor John Gioia, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Having round-the-clock mental health services available throughout Contra Costa has been a long-time need and we are proud that we can now provide these vital services at any time.”
The need for A3’s robust, immediate response is evident, with behavioral health issues the third most common call ambulances respond to in the county. People needing behavioral health crisis support can call A3 to talk to trained professionals who can provide care over the phone and connections to follow-up care or send a team to respond in person when needed. Most callers’ needs are resolved over the phone.
“About one in five adults in Contra Costa County struggles with behavioral health issues, but the stigma around mental health and addiction can make it hard to seek help. Too often, people suffer through a behavioral health crisis in silence. Expanding A3 to respond around the clock makes it easier for people experiencing behavioral health problems, and their loved ones, to get the professional, caring support they need,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis.
A3 has grown from a pilot project in 2021 to now operating 24/7. Currently, A3 responds to about 200 calls and dispatches 30 mobile teams per week. They helped over 2,900 callers in 2022 and expect that number to grow to more than 4,500 people this year.
“Behavioral health crisis care is more accessible than ever before in Contra Costa County, thanks to the vision and hard work of our A3 team and community partners, including people with lived experience, family members, advocates, community groups, law enforcement, cities, fire and emergency medical responders and behavioral health professionals,” said Anna Roth, Contra Costa Health CEO.
A3 is Contra Costa County’s innovative approach to providing timely and appropriate behavioral health crisis services to anyone, anywhere, at anytime in the county. Annual Measure X sales tax revenue supports the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center, mobile response teams and connection to follow-up care for those in crisis.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center at 844-844-5544. Learn more at cchealth.org/a3 or watch a video about the program.
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Concord’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Sing-Along returns to Todos Santos Plaza this Friday, Dec. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join us for this FREE family-favorite event. Visit Santa, feed his reindeer, watch dazzling performances, do some holiday shopping, and enjoy the holidays!
Read MoreOpportunity for public to speak Wednesday, Nov. 29th
In the wake of a recent gun violence threat at Bristow Middle School in Brentwood, Digital4Good has taken a proactive stance to address the issue head-on by organizing an educational initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting a safer environment for students.
On Wednesday, November 29th, Kim Karr, the visionary behind Digital4Good formerly #ICANHELP, will be speaking at Bristow to engage with students, faculty, and the community at
large. The focus of Karr’s presentation will be on fostering understanding, and open dialogue, and providing valuable information about recognizing and responding to potential threats.
Digital4Good has been a support to schools for 10 years in dealing with social media education and Bristow was one of the first rooted schools to use the #ICANHELP programs. Mental health plays a crucial role in the goals surrounding the non-profit and continues to be a topic of conversation at the upcoming forum.
This critical event aims to empower students and the community with knowledge and resources to prevent, identify, and report potential threats of gun violence. Digital4Good believes that education is a powerful tool in creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
The event will include 3 student presentations, staff training and a parent night by Kim Karr, followed by an open forum for questions and discussion. Digital4Good encourages parents, community members, and local media to attend and participate in this important conversation.
Details of the event:
Time: 6-7 pm
Location: Bristow Middle School, 855 Minnesota Avenue, Brentwood
Virtual option will be available
Digital4Good remains committed to fostering safer communities through education, awareness, and community engagement. For more information about the organization and its initiatives, please visit www.icanhelp.net or contact Kim Karr at kim@icanhelp.com.
About Digital4Good
Digital4Good is a non-profit dedicated to educating and empowering students and educators to promote good use of technology, make a positive impact within communities, and help them to become inspirational digital citizens to prevent cyberbullying and other types of abuse.
Read MoreVictim was 86-year-old man
By Sgt Shawn Phalen, Concord Police Department
On November 23, 2023, at approximately 6:49 PM, Concord Police Officers responded to the area of Oak Grove Road and Treat Blvd., on the report of a hit and run vehicle collision. Once on scene, it was determined a second related collision had occurred at Oak Grove Road and Ryan Road. A passenger in one of the vehicles, an 86-year-old male, was transported to John Muir Hospital where he later passed away.
This collision is still under investigation. Any witnesses are asked to contact Motor Officer Oscar Rodriguez at 925-671-5065.
Read MoreBy San Pablo Police Department
Tonight, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, while patrolling the streets Officer Bang noticed a vehicle commit several traffic violations. During the enforcement stop Officer Bang believed the driver was displaying signs of impairment. Officer Ashley arrived to assist with the investigation. Ultimately the driver was arrested for driving under the influence.
In addition to the poor decision to drive, the driver was also inappropriately transporting firearms and what is believed to be cocaine. Both firearms were loaded and under a seat in the vehicle.
We’re happy that no one was hurt in this potentially dangerous situation.
Read MoreSWAT, Walnut Creek PD assist
By San Ramon Police Department
On a recent evening, the Central County SWAT Team assisted Walnut Creek PD with the execution of a high-risk search warrant of known armed-robbery suspects.
The operation was successful, and a suspect was taken into custody for various felony offenses.
Additionally, firearms and stolen merchandise from various victims were recovered. More excellent work from San Ramon PD and our partner agencies.
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Walnut Creek man arrested 86 times since 2017, 41 times in 2023
By Concord Police Department
On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2023, one of our swing shift patrol officers was conducting extra patrols in the area of the Veranda (2001 Diamond Blvd.) when she was notified of a theft that had just occurred. The suspect fled on foot from our officer onto Willow Pass Road and into the parking lot of the Sun Valley Mall. A CPD motor officer attempted to stop the subject, who fled onto I-680. The California Highway Patrol was contacted and momentarily blocked traffic to allow our Officers to enter the freeway and safely detain the male.
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero of Walnut Creek, was arrested on the freeway. Mr. Ortero was transported to the Concord PD jail and later to the Martinez Detention Facility for theft and resisting/delaying a peace officer. This case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.
Thank you to the California Highway Patrol and the Pleasant Hill Police Department for their assistance!
According to localcrimenews.com, Otero has been arrested 86 times since 2017 including 41 arrests in 2023 – sometimes twice in the same day – by multiple Contra Costa and Alameda County law enforcement agencies for a variety of crimes including trespassing, petty theft, public nuisance, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting of less than $950, receiving or concealing stolen property, resisting arrest, robbery, vandalism and giving false information to a police officer. His arrests include three times in 2017; 10 in 2018; twice in 2019; five in 2020; 12 in 2021; and 13 times in 2022.
An email was sent to Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton asking how someone with Otero’s record hasn’t been sentenced to multiple years in jail or prison.
11/29/23 UPDATE: In response, Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo provided the following statement:
“44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero is currently on felony probation for commercial burglary [PC 460(b)]. He was convicted on June 13, 2022, of a felony and was sentenced to 150 days in county jail and placed on two years of formal probation. On the same day, Otero was convicted of a misdemeanor shoplifting offense [PC 459.5] after stealing a gaming controller from a GameStop store. In October 2021, Otero was prosecuted and convicted of two separate counts of misdemeanor vandalism [PC 594(a)]. He was sentenced to 28 days in county jail and a year of probation for the vandalism offenses.
Many of the violations Mr. Otero was cited for in Contra Costa County were low-level, misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing, public nuisance, petty theft, and possession of controlled substances or paraphernalia. Otero’s misdemeanor thefts, for example, include taking a soft drink and candy at a Target store, stealing $27 worth of cosmetics, or shoplifting $50 worth of razor blades.
Our office is working with law enforcement agencies to merge a number of seemingly minor cases for prosecution to seek justice, ensure accountability, and protect our communities. Misdemeanor complaints filed with the court will have multiple incidents that we believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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By Lafayette Police Department
On Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, around 12:53 AM, a Lafayette PD officer saw a vehicle in the area of Mt. Diablo Blvd. near the Highway 24 off-ramp that matched the description of a suspicious vehicle that had been parked in front of a resident’s mailbox a week ago. The officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was on federal probation for mail theft.
The female passenger had methamphetamine next to her seat and lied about her name when questioned. When her true identity was revealed, it was determined she had four outstanding warrants for her arrest.
The other male passenger was in possession of drug paraphernalia, cocaine, and an unregistered Glock pistol.
The male and female were transported and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. When the community is sleeping, our officers are out working!
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By Corporal Andrew Kuhn, Pleasant Hill Police Department
On November 23, 2023, at about 7:45 PM, the Pleasant Hill Police Department received a 911 call of a vehicle that collided into the entrance of Kohl’s, located at 2302 Monument Blvd. Within minutes, officers arrived on scene and located an unoccupied vehicle and extensive damage to the east doors of the business. The business was closed at this time and no employees or customers were present.
During the preliminary investigation, officers discovered three subjects wearing masks entered the business and left with merchandise. The three subjects fled in a white sedan prior to police arrival.
This investigation remains active at this time. If you have any information that may assist investigators, you are encouraged to contact the Pleasant Hill Police Investigations Bureau at (925) 288-4630.
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