Contra Costa Herald

State grant to support concentrated efforts to reduce repeat offenses

Contra Costa County’s Probation Department will get a boost in its efforts to ensure that high-risk, felony and repeat DUI offenders are complying with court orders and keeping it safe on the roadways.  The County has been awarded a $373,541 grant to help the Probation Department target potential repeat offenders.  The grant comes from the state’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS.)

“We are grateful for the continued partnership with the Office of Traffic Safety, which now spans more than ten years,” said Chief Probation Officer Todd Billeci.  “The oversight and assistance of OTS, coupled with strong working relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies, allows the Probation Department to closely monitor and rehabilitate offenders.  The goal is to protect the public and reduce the traumatic impact impaired driving causes across our community.”

During 2014/2015, 21 people were killed and 449 injured in Contra Costa County alone because of collisions tied to alcohol and other drugs.  The grant puts a special focus on high-risk repeat offenders.  It will allow the Probation Department to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions.  Tactics will include unannounced home searches, random alcohol and drug testing, and special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs.

“Probation orders help ensure that these offenders are not a risk to themselves or others,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “By working on compliance, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, with the assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will be helping keep the streets across Contra Costa County safe for all.”

While alcohol remains the biggest factor in DUI crashes, the Contra Costa County Probation Department supports the new effort from OTS that aims to boost awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”  Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing on their own, as well as in combination with alcohol and other drugs, leading to a DUI arrest.

Funding for the California Office of Traffic Safety grant is through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Feet First Foundation and Toys for Tots presents Sparring Expo, a holiday event on Saturday December 16th, 2017.

Hosted by Sean Sharkey and Christian Sharkey, the event will raise funds to help at-risk youth in Contra Costa County in the fight against human trafficking – saving lives one by one.

Sponsored by Urban Barber College, Toys for Tots by U.S. Marines, Fightkore Gym, & Feet First Foundation

Special Guests include Pro Fighters Angel Cordon and Tino Avila plus a Special Guest.

Doors Open at 5:00-7:30 pm. Live Boxing Expedition with local fighters follows a Holiday Reception 7:30-9:00 pm. The event will include small plate appetizers and drinks

at 816 Main Street in Martinez.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and get 1/2 off ticket, and are available here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feet-first-foundation-and-toys-for-tots-present-sparring-expo-tickets-39945407790

For more information about Feet First Foundation, visit their website or Facebook page.

Some of the Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates proudly display toys they made for children in the county. Photos by CCCSheriff

County’s collaborative program celebrates its 26th year of bringing joy to local at-risk children

By Jonathan Lance, Communications Specialist, Contra Costa County Office of Education

For the 26th straight year, a number of representatives from Contra Costa County non-profit agencies were on hand today for the annual Marsh Creek Detention Facility’s Toy Show to fulfill their at-risk children’s Christmas wish lists. The representatives were able to choose from numerous newly handcrafted toys and bicycles refurbished by the facility’s inmates. These gifts will then be given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the upcoming holidays.

All of the attendees were absolutely awestruck when walking into the Detention Center’s wood shop, which had been turned into an elaborate, colorful Santa’s Workshop. Coordinated by Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) teacher Paul Turner and with the help of some of his students, their beautiful bicycles and toys were on display among Holiday decorations. Joining the non-profit-agency representatives were Contra Costa County’s Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata and Sheriff David Livingston, as well as numerous representatives from both agencies to celebrate this longtime partnership that benefits the community.

Both Superintendent Sakata and Sheriff Livingston spoke to the large gathering about the extremely successful partnership of the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s (CCCOE) accredited shop classes being taught in a Contra Costa County Jail. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful agency collaboration that creates such value to our county,” said Superintendent Sakata. “With this project, these adult students will certainly bring a brighter Holiday Season to many children throughout our community.”

Sheriff Livingston agreed about the long-standing successful partnership during his morning welcome, and thanked the many representatives with the CCCOE and the Sheriff’s Office. “This outstanding event always officially kicks off the holidays for me,” said Sheriff Livingston. During his offer of gratitude to a number of attendees, he added a special message, addressing the inmates, who were also present at the event and had recently been working on the toys and bikes, “I want to thank you gentlemen and those before you that have been working diligently on this year-long program. You’ll bring a lot of joy to our community’s kids with your woodshop skills”

Contra Costa County non-profit organizations participating in this special event included: Bay Area Housing District, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brighter Beginnings, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program, El Cerrito Rotary, Friends of Oakley, Pittsburg Police Department, Shelter Inc., The Salvation Army-Antioch Corps, Shepherd’s Gate, La Casa, and VESTIA, Inc.

This year, these organizations were able to choose from more than 1,500 handcrafted toys and 90 bicycles refurbished by inmates from the facility. These toys and bikes are being donated to children served by these organizations for the upcoming holidays. A dedicated group of Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates have been working on this project for the past year. They have been extremely busy fixing up used bikes to look and ride like brand new, and crafting colorful and beautiful wooden toys, such as, motorcycle rocking chairs, spinning carousels, cars, doll houses, baby cradles, toy tractors, train sets, and more. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), located within the jail facility.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

During the 2016-17 school year, over 3,000 adult inmates (throughout the three Contra Costa detention facilities) were enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs, including basic literacy and GED or HiSET high school equivalency preparation, to vocational programs, including woodshop, construction, and state-of-the-art computer training. By the end of the school year, 37 student-inmate(s) received their high school equivalency certificate (Hi SET) and 29 received a high school diploma. In addition, there were 328 students who demonstrated learning gains in reading or math, and 317 students earned a certificate of completion in computer applications. Another course directed by the CCCOE is the DEUCE Program (Deciding, Educating, Understanding, Counseling, and Evaluation). These three-part classes (90 days) focus on substance abuse prevention. Last year, 78 students completed at least one of the three phases, and 350 students graduated from DEUCE. The parenting class teaches vital parenting skills to women and men, with 140 certificates issued last school year through the COPE: Counseling Options and Parent Education or Parenting Inside/Out programs. Three years ago, the CCCOE opened a new re-entry class at the West County Detention Facility. The re-entry class offers workforce readiness, career exploration, soft skills workshops, and a nine-week cognitive-behavior-change program called Transitions. Currently, 218 inmates are enrolled in the re-entry course. These classes help to provide education and skills needed for successful transition back into the community.

New state law has moved up the date to start petition in lieu of filing fees to December 14th

Attention to those Contra Costa residents looking to run for office: The date to start collecting signatures to run for office has been moved up two weeks and will begin on December 14th.

Candidates seeking to run for state, federal and county offices in 2018 have the ability to start the process early and gather signatures of registered voters to reduce the filing fee. Each qualifying signature brings down the final cost for filing.

A bill recently signed into law changed the state’s Election Code and moved the timeframe for candidates to collect these signatures in lieu of the filing fee.

The Contra Costa Elections Division is offering appointments to interested candidates on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Documents for those with appointments will be prepared ahead of their appointment time.

The process should take no more than 20 minutes. Walk-ins are always welcome. To schedule an appointment please request a date and time at candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or call 925-335-7800.

The filing fees vary by office. Information about the filing cost for specific offices is available on the Contra Costa Elections Division website at www.contracostacore.us.

Signatures collected in lieu of fees count toward any signature requirement for that office.

More information about the filing process is also available online at www.contracostacore.us.

Photos courtesy of CCCSheriff.

Sheriff David Livingston congratulations one of the graduates.

From the CCC Sheriff Facebook page

The 184th Basic Academy Class of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Law Enforcement Training Center graduated on Thursday, Nov. 9th at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.

The 26 graduates represent the following law enforcement agencies: California Alcoholic Beverage Control, Berkeley, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Daly City, Marin County Sheriff’s Department, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, and San Pablo.

Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston administered the oath to the Office of the Sheriff graduates following the ceremony.

Congratulations to all the graduates!

From CCC Sheriff Facebook page

Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff dispatchers and deputy sheriffs were among those who were recognized with the Siren Team Award at the recent EMS Survivor’s Reunion in Walnut Creek. The event reunites individuals who experienced a near-fatal incident with the public safety and medical personnel who played a significant role in their survival. These personnel include 9-1-1 dispatchers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMTs, paramedics, and hospital emergency department staff. The reunion celebrates the gift of life and recognizes the amazing men and women who protect it.

The incident they were honored for involved Darren Grisham, a six-year-old Orinda boy who was trapped under a vehicle after he was accidentally run over by his father, Gabriel. It happened on June 20, 2017 and Gabriel called 9-1-1, according to other news reports.

An Office of the Sheriff dispatcher took the call, sent help to the scene, and kept the parents calm. Orinda police officers were first on scene. Firefighters from the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Protection District (CON Fire) arrived and lifted the car off the boy. Paramedics treated the boy who was taken to Children’s Hospital Oakland by ambulance.

The boy suffered several broken bones and injuries to his head and neck. He was released from the hospital just four days later.

This was truly a team effort among the Office of the Sheriff, CON Fire, AMR, and Children’s Hospital Oakland that resulted in a successful outcome.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Morgan Territory Road residents celebrate its reopening with a barbeque on Sat., Nov. 18. Photo by Scott MacIntyre.

After being closed since February due to a large landslide during winter storms, Morgan Territory Road reopened on Saturday, November 18 at 5:00 p.m. The County’s contractor, Flatiron West, Inc. started the repair project in July. The project included installation of two structural retaining wall systems, excavation and backfill between the walls, reconstruction of pavement, drainage improvements, and pavement striping. The project also included the relocation of water, electric and telephone utilities to accommodate construction. This quality repair project represents the efforts and cooperation of many project partners as well as local, state and federal efforts to expedite this repair project.

Residents who live along the road celebrated with a neighborhood barbeque. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 2 at 10:30 am. The ceremony will take place on Morgan Territory Road at a county owned property opposite Oak Hill Lane to celebrate project completion.

Damage from vehicle crash into building in Blackhawk on August 18, 2017. Herald file photos courtesy of CCSheriff

From CCC Sheriff Facebook page

The reward being offered in the August 18, 2017 vehicle collision into an office building in Blackhawk has doubled to $5,000. The reward, being offered by an insurance company, is for the positive identification and arrest of the suspect in this case. (See related article)

On that evening at about 10 PM, a black, newer-model Land Rover with paper plates collided into the office building located on Executive Parkway, across from Blackhawk Plaza. There was major damage to the office building.

The vehicle then fled and crashed into two parked cars on Center Way near the Chevron Station in the town of Danville.

The Land Rover was driven by a white male described as being in his early 50’s wearing a floral Hawaiian shirt. There was also a white female passenger possibly named “Gloria”. According to witnesses, the Land Rover was later towed from the corner of Indian Rice Road and Goldenrod Lane in Danville.

The male driver was last seen waving down cars on Crow Canyon Road. It is believed the occupants had just left a free concert at Blackhawk Plaza.

If anyone has any information about the vehicle (which should have sustained major damage), its occupants, or the name of the tow truck company, please contact the Blackhawk Police Department at (925) 736-1018.  You can also call the anonymous tip line at (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Contra Costa faith leaders speak to striking machinists at Henkel in Bay Point. Photo courtesy of CC Central Labor Council

By Margaret Hanlon-Gradie

Contra Costa faith community leaders had strong words for Henkel Bay Point this week when they joined striking Machinists in their fight for safe workplaces and a fair contract against Henkel Corporation. On Tuesday, Reverend Will McGarvey, Community Presbyterian Church and executive director of the Interfaith Council, Reverend Charles Glasper, True Light Missionary Baptist Church, and Senior Pastor Quentisha Davis Wiles, Pittsburg United Methodist Church walked the picket line and offered their prayers and solidarity to the strikers. The three faith leaders shared the letter they and 16 other Contra Costa faith leaders had written to Henkel, (also see below) demanding respect, dignity and safety for the workers and community.

“It is every employer’s duty to treat their workers with respect. The Henkel Corporation, however, ignores workers’ health and safety, promotes a culture of indignation, and consistently diminishes the workers’ ability to care for themselves. This is not how we are told to treat our fellow man. This is not God’s plan,” reads the letter.

The faith leaders addressed the strikers, offering material support for the upcoming holidays and invited strikers to call on their church families for assistance with the upcoming holidays.

“Be encouraged because what Henkel is attempting to do is wrong. Morally, ethically, and legally, it’s wrong…. so today I want to ask you to keep standing tall,” said Pastor Quentisha Davis Wiles.

The over 80 manufacturing workers have been on strike at Henkel Bay Point for 30 days. The workers are fighting for safety and respect at the workplace and have received support from much of the community. “We’re eternally grateful for the enthusiastic support we are receiving from the faith community. These faith leaders are putting their attention on the health of our spirits, as well as, our bodies, the two things this company has attempted to break,” said Henkel employee Will Morris.

Hanlon-Gradie is the Executive Director for the Contra Costa Central Labor Council.

Asking for “Freedom to Spend Time with our Families”

By Margaret Hanlon-Gradie

Forget Black Friday! The Contra Costa Central Labor Council with Making Change will stage a protest on Monday Nov. 20 to tell Walmart to observe the spirit of Thanksgiving and allow workers time to spend with their families.

Action will be held Monday, November 20th between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm at 1021 Arnold Drive in Martinez.

According to the Making Change website, their “vision for American workers – in grocery, retail, and in our communities – is respect and dignity at jobs that pay fairly and guarantee workers a voice.

Working together with Walmart Associates, local UFCW members, and leaders in communities across the country, the Making Change at Walmart campaign is challenging Walmart to share our vision for a new way forward—a way that lifts all of us up.”

According to their website, the Labor Council represents 80,000 working families standing together for good jobs, healthy communities, educational opportunity, and a brighter future for people in all industries and kinds of work.

Hanlon-Gradie is Executive Director of the Contra Costa Central Labor Council.