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Martinez mayor explains background of BLACKLIVESMATTER street mural

July 9, 2020 By Publisher 4 Comments

The BLACKLIVESMATTER mural on Court Street in Martinez. From @mtz.for.black.lives on Instagram.

City will consider program for future “murals or other expressions on public property in support of social justice and racial equality.” – Mayor Rob Schroder

The following statement by Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder was issued on Tuesday providing the background to the BLACKLIVESMATTER mural on Court Street: Statement from Rob Schroder – BLM Mural

July 7, 2020

Dear Martinez Community:

Recent events in our community have highlighted both racial tensions and matters of free speech. I write to you today to provide a full account of these events and to address questions that we have been receiving at City Hall the last few days. My hope is that this information will both inform our community and provide clarity on the facts and how we plan to move forward together.

On the evening of June 27, the Martinez Police Department responded to a report of anti-black hateful flyers posted on sidewalks near downtown. These offensive flyers threatened to harm those supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

In response to these flyers, I issued a statement on behalf of the City Council on June 30, 2020 stating:

“The fact that something so morally offensive as the two flyers found in the edges of our downtown area exists is just wrong and morally repugnant. It offends me personally; it offends our entire City Council and frankly is offensive to the community at large. Martinez does not tolerate hate-related crimes and as a community, we need to stand together to promote unity and acceptance of all people. This hateful, hurtful, and offensive act does not and will never define our City.”

Members of the community approached the City asking permission for a temporary public mural in the Downtown. The specific request noted: “Given the hateful rhetoric on the flyers this past weekend, an affirming message in support of Black lives, facilitated and approved by the city . . . is appropriate.” The community group, Martizians for Black Lives, who painted the mural, obtained a special event permit with the City that provided specifics for the project, including the materials used, the artwork to be painted and the protocols involved to ensure social distancing during the event. The group asked for an expedited review by the City to allow for this mural to be painted in a timely manner, so it could serve as a response to the offensive flyers from the weekend before.

Concurrent with review of this permit, on July 1, the Martinez City Council took urgency action and adopted by unanimous vote a resolution on equity and justice for all. The resolution states in part that as “…city leaders, we must and will listen to the voices of those in our communities who have suffered bias and have been treated unfairly. We must hear their words and turn them into effective action to protect the civil rights of every person.”

Consistent with this resolution, on July 2, our City Manager approved the Black Lives Matter (BLM) mural to be painted on Court Street. Approval of the use of our streets sends a message to all that African-Americans and other people of color are equal members of our community and hateful rhetoric will be actively rejected by our City. Feelings that isolate a single race with hate violates our values as a community and our civic institutions.

Since the mural has been painted, an attempt to paint over the mural and a separate incident that resulted in the brandishing of a firearm at the mural site have taken place. It is my sincere hope that our community’s expression of support for some members of our community does not unnecessarily stir up anger in others.

The City of Martinez has received new requests to use City streets to share other ideas or murals. The consideration of such requests is significantly different than the BLM mural at issue now. The City made a determination that a swift response to hateful rhetoric required a more timely consideration of the BLM permit. Doing so was consistent with and in furtherance of the City Council’s commitment to support equity and justice for all and to send a clear statement rejecting the prior week’s hateful flyers. The City supports the intended message of the BLM mural, namely, that all persons, no matter their race, are entitled to be treated with equality in our society. The City will be considering developing a program by which it will consider the future placement or erection of permanent murals or other expressions on public property in support of social justice and racial equality.

These are challenging times in our nation, our state, and our City. I am proud of our community and our shared belief in the equal worth of all people, and our City’s efforts to set an example of how we live up to that moral imperative.

With Respect for All,

Rob Schroder

Mayor

Two Martinez residents charged with hate crime for defacing Black lives matter street mural

July 7, 2020 By Publisher 1 Comment

White couple paints over Black Lives Matter street mural

An unidentified white couple was recorded painting over a Black Lives Matter street mural located in front of a Bay Area courthouse.

Posted by Corey L. Teague on Sunday, July 5, 2020

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Martinez, Calif. – Today, Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Martinez residents Nichole Anderson (42-years old) and David Nelson (53-years-old) with three misdemeanor counts, including a hate crime, for their alleged actions on Saturday, July 4, when defendant Anderson covered up a mural with the words BLACK LIVES MATTER in all capitals, with black paint. Nelson directly aided in the alleged criminal conduct. The incident was captured on video by witnesses.

On July 1, a local Martinez resident applied for a permit to paint a Black lives matter temporary mural on Court Street in downtown Martinez in front of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. The permit was approved by the City of Martinez and it was painted on July 4.

Nelson and Anderson arrived at the scene of the mural after it was completed with paint supplies. Anderson started to paint over the yellow letters “B” and “L” in the word “BLACK.” She used black paint and a large paint roller to do so. The video has been shared widely by witnesses and shared on social media.

“We must address the root and byproduct of systemic racism in our country. The Black lives matter movement is an important civil rights cause that deserves all of our attention,” stated Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. “The mural completed last weekend was a peaceful and powerful way to communicate the importance of Black lives in Contra Costa County and the country. We must continue to elevate discussions and actually listen to one another in an effort to heal our community and country.”

In total, both defendants are charged for the following alleged offenses:

Violation of Civil Rights, PC 422.6(b)
Vandalism Under $400, PC 594(a)
Possession of Tools to Commit Vandalism or Graffiti, PC 594.2(a)

If convicted, both defendants face up to a year in county jail. The alleged offenses are exempt from a specific bail amount due to the current county bail schedule in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Case information: People v. Nicole Claudia Anderson and David Richard Nelson, Docket Number 01-194031-1

Danville woman dies in fatal rollover crash off road on Mt. Diablo Saturday

July 6, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Front page of Mt. Diablo State Park brochure.

Vehicle plunged 300 feet down; removal may require helicopter

By Allen Payton

According to Cameron Morrison, Supervising State Park Peace Officer,

“On July 4th at around 2:47 pm we received a 9-11 call of a vehicle over the edge on Summit Road,” he said. “Three officers responded. I responded from the summit from Mt. Diablo and was the first one on scene.

From Summit Road I could see an SUV several hundred feet down the hillside and I made my way down,” Morrison continued. “When I got down to where the vehicle was located, I found a woman in her 70’s who had been ejected from the SUV.”

“We provided medical care for her. At approximately 3:30 pm San Ramon Valley Protection Fire District personnel arrived and at that time they pronounced her deceased,” he stated.

“There was nothing that was found that would indicate that there was any intoxication of any kind,” said Morrison. “We found where she left the road. You can see the tracks and right below you can see the broken brush and trees. It’s an extremely steep roadside.”

On Monday, the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as “Julie Watson, a white female out of Danville.”

Vehicle Removal May Require Helicopter

Asked about the removal of the SUV, he responded, “We are working with her insurance agency regarding removing the vehicle. It’s about 300 feet at elevation from where it went off the road, but about 700 feet from the road. It will be very difficult for a tow truck company to have enough cable to reach.”

“We are also concerned about the resources of the park. We have a variety of sensitive species of plants. We don’t want to damage the side of the road, either,” Morrison explained. “So, we’re trying to look at getting it out with the least amount of impact on the park as possible.

“All of the roads were built back in the ‘30’s. So, the edges of the road are not engineered like normal roads. If we disturb that, we could lose the whole road in the winter,” he continued. “It’s possible it will have to be removed with a helicopter. We had the same thing happen with an airplane crash in the park a couple years ago.”

Martinez hit and run causes major injuries to 7-year-old boy, CHP asks for public’s help

July 5, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

White van is vehicle of suspect in Martinez hit and run, Thursday. Photos by CHP.

By CHP – Contra Costa

Late Thursday afternoon, July 2, 2020 at approximately 4:09pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a hit and run with major injuries to a 7-year-old child that was riding his scooter. This occurred on Vine Avenue between Leslie Avenue and Merle Avenue in the city of Martinez, sometime between 3:48pm-3:56pm. This white van (in black and white photo) was captured on home surveillance traveling south on Vine Avenue, struck the boy on the scooter, and fled the scene. The boy was airlifted by helicopter to Oakland Children’s Hospital and we’ve learned although he suffered major injuries, thankfully he is in stable condition.

Security camera screenshot of suspect’s van.

The black and white photo is the actual suspect vehicle caught on surveillance and the second color photo is a very similar looking van also captured on surveillance video within the area.

We are seeking the public’s assistance with information regarding this incident. If anyone witnessed this event, or the suspect vehicle in the area or vicinity during the time of the incident, please contact Contra Costa CHP at (925)646-4980 and leave your information for investigating Officer Garduno. Or if after hours, please DM (direct message) our FB page here with your contact info.

Pleasant Hill man sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography

July 1, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Daniel Joseph Feliciano. Photo by CCDA.

OAKLAND – Daniel Joseph Feliciano was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, U.S. District Judge.

Feliciano, 30, of Pleasant Hill, pleaded guilty to the charge on March 3, 2020. According to his plea agreement, Feliciano admitted that he recorded a video of a 9-year-old minor in a sexually explicit act and produced an image of a 5-year-old seated on a bed with the minor’s genitalia visible. Feliciano knew the two victims were minors and he created the images using his cellular phone.

In addition, Feliciano admitted that he possessed approximately 205 images or videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The government filed additional papers arguing that Feliciano possessed more than 21,000 images of child pornography, including images of sexual abuse of a toddler-aged child and other children younger than 7 years old. (Please see related article)

A federal grand jury indicted Feliciano on December 19, 2019, charging him with two counts of producing and possessing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). Feliciano pleaded guilty to both counts.

In addition to the prison term, Judge White also sentenced the defendant to a 10-year period of supervised release and scheduled a hearing for September 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to resolve issues concerning restitution. The defendant will begin serving the sentence immediately.

This prosecution arose from a Cybertip on October 4, 2019, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to the discovery of potential exploitation material being stored in a cloud storage account later traced to Feliciano.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez Gonzalez, Kay Konopaske, and Kathleen Turner. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

Martinez leaders launch Homeless Action Coalition to ‘fill the gaps’ in essential services, address housing crisis

June 16, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Non-profit will also assist local response to COVID-19 in city’s homeless encampments

Today, Tuesday, June 16, 2020 the Martinez Homelessness Task Force, led by City Councilmember Noralea Gipner and a coalition of community and faith leaders, announced the next phase of its work with the launch of the independent Homeless Action Coalition (HAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community benefit organization.

“Most of us take the basics for granted. But many of our neighbors don’t have that luxury,” said Gipner, President and CEO of the HAC. “Imagine not being able to wash your hands, have a warm dinner or fall asleep feeling safe each night. That stress takes a toll and can make it a challenge to heal trauma and enter the workforce. Our coalition is going to ensure all of Martinez’s unhoused residents can land on their feet and transition into housing.”

With more than 150 unhoused residents living in encampments, embankments and parking lots, Martinez has one of the highest per capita homelessness rates in Contra Costa County. With such great need, Martinez leaders were compelled to act.

Over the past year, community groups and the Martinez Homelessness Task Force have partnered to address urgent needs, most recently operating a weekly homeless service center at the Martinez Waterfront Park. There, the Bay Church and other faith partners offered showers, laundry service and toiletries. The Martinez Police Department and Contra Costa C.O.R.E. connected people to shelters and other public resources, while Contra Costa Health Services provided a free mobile clinic. Community volunteers offered haircuts and organized a clothing exchange program. Prior to COVID-19, 30-40 individuals participated in these services every week.

Moving forward, the Homeless Action Coalition will serve as a hub for these resources, coordinating strategy and funding within Martinez and its adjacent communities.

Since officially incorporating as the successor organization to the Martinez Chamber Development Corporation this past Winter, the HAC has built an internal infrastructure with a Board of Directors, a Faith Community Advisory Committee and an effective fundraising apparatus, raising nearly $30,000 from individual donors, faith organizations and labor groups prior to its formal launch today.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HAC has already deployed four sanitation stations throughout the city to provide residents with safe and reliable access to bathrooms. It has also organized essential services for the city’s waterfront encampment, providing food, clothing, tents and other supplies to residents who agree to abide by county health rules and self-govern the area to ensure resident safety.

Once the pandemic subsides, weekly group services will return and the HAC will embark on a series of innovative projects to help unhoused residents start new careers, access affordable housing and connect with mental health services.

“By listening to the people we serve, staying nimble and recruiting our neighbors to help out, we believe we’ll be able to have a real impact,” said Jonathan Bash, Chair of the HAC board of directors. “Our region’s housing crisis is complicated, as are the structural roots of poverty. We can’t do this alone. We need people to get involved in the way that works best for them: donate, volunteer or advocate for those who need a voice.”

Residents, business owners and community leaders who wish to get involved can learn more by visiting www.homelessactioncoalition.org.

Con Fire and Concord Police arrest transient woman for Concord RV fire

June 11, 2020 By Publisher 1 Comment

Emergency crews extinguish RV fire on Port Chicago Highway under the Hwy 242 overpass. Suspect Jade McCoy, a Concord transient was arrested. Photos courtesy of ConFire.

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Con Fire

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced today the arrest of a suspect in the recreational vehicle (RV) fire that burned under Highway 4 in Concord earlier this week.

The fire in question took place June 8, 2020 with the first call coming in at 3:27 p.m. An investigation was immediately conducted by the District’s Fire Investigations Unit, and Concord Police with a suspect identified and arrest made without incident on June 8 just after 5 p.m.

Arrested was Jade McCoy, a Concord-area transient, date of birth April 22, 1993. McCoy, who was on probation from a previous arson conviction for setting an exterior fire in 2019, was arrested after investigation by FIU and Concord PD revealed she intentionally set the fire in the RV. McCoy and her boyfriend had been living in the RV parked on Port Chicago Highway under Highway 4. The arson occurred after a verbal altercation between the two parties. Her possible involvement in other recent fires in the area is currently under investigation.

McCoy is in custody in the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Detention Center in Martinez. Concord Police filed the case with the District Attorney on June 9 and action is pending.

Investigation revealed a woman seen at the scene around the time of the fire to be the likely responsible party. A short while later, around 5 p.m., Concord Police located the suspect in the vicinity near Olivera Road and Esperanza Drive. Con Fire FIU investigators responded to that scene, interviewed the suspect and determined she was responsible for the blaze, placing her under arrest. She was handcuffed and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility by Concord Police where she was again interviewed by FIU.

The RV fire was initially reported by several parties beginning just before 3:30 p.m. on June 8. Arriving on scene moments later at 3:41, Con Fire’s Battalion Chief 2 reported a fully involved RV on fire under the highway.

In all, 21 fire personnel from Con Fire and the Military Ocean Terminal, Concord’s Federal Fire Department responded to the fire with two Type 1 fire engines, three Type 3 fire engines, two ambulances, a medical supervisor and a fire investigator. Concord Police and the California Highway Patrol also responded to the scene. At 3:42 p.m., the incident commander reported the fire under control.

There were no injuries to responding personnel or civilians.

Protest in Walnut Creek gets confrontational with police as 6 p.m. curfew sets in

June 1, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Walnut Creek police enforce curfew near City Hall. Tear gas shot at protesters. Herald reporter and other members of the media affected by the gas. Forced to leave the area.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

Report by Allen Payton Videos by Contra Costa Herald staff

WARNING: Graphic language in videos.

A large group of protesters descended on Walnut Creek’s downtown, Monday and held a rally in Civic Park across from City Hall. Things were peaceful with speeches in the park. That was followed by a few confrontations as protesters marched down North Broadway toward a police line. That lasted until the city’s 6:00 p.m. curfew set in and police forced the protesters to leave. Cannisters of tear gas were shot at the protesters, some of whom threw them back at the officers. (See 48-second mark of video above)

Screenshot from Contra Costa Herald staff video of Civic Park rally and speeches in Walnut Creek on Monday, June 1, 2020.

Earlier during a rally in Civic Park, near the iconic gazebo, speeches were given and responsive chants of “no justice” yelled out by one person, with “no peace” yelled by the crowd, followed by “no racist” by the leader and “police” yelled by the crowd in response.

Protest in downtown Walnut Creek right now. Exclusive to the Herald.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

At one point, a few police officers took a knee to the delight of the crowd who cheered, and some of the protesters showed their appreciation for the officers demonstrating their solidarity with fist and elbow bumps.

Walnut Creek police kneel with protestors.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

Protest in Walnut Creek continues — graphic language warning.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

There were chants of “no justice, no peace, prosecute the police,” “hands up, don’t shoot,” the responsive chants of “say his name” and “George Floyd”, as well as “I can’t breathe” – Floyd’s final words – as the protesters stood or kneeled in front of the police line on North Broadway. They were then warned about the 6:00 p.m. curfew and told a few times “you have five minutes to leave” by a voice over a loudspeaker. That’s when things took a turn for the worst with police resorting to firing tear gas cannisters at the protesters forcing them to disperse from the intersection of the North Broadway and Civic Drive. Some of the cannisters were tossed back at the police.

Full nighttime closures of State Route 4/Interstate 680 connector ramps through Sunday, May 31

May 29, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are constructing the first phase of a multi-phased project to improve safety and help reduce congestion at the Interstate-680/State Route 4 Interchange in central Contra Costa County. In order to facilitate a key phase of construction that will shift traffic onto newly constructed facilities, the agencies are planning significant traffic shifts prior to, during and after the Memorial Day Weekend which will impact SR-4 and both of the I-680 connector ramps spanning Martinez, Pacheco, and Concord. CCTA and Caltrans have scheduled the closures during evening/nighttime hours and over the weekend in order to minimize impacts to the motoring public.

Nightly lane closures of SR-4 (from Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way) and the I-680 connector ramps in both directions (northbound and southbound connectors to SR-4) will continue from May 28 –31, 2020. The work taking place during this time will enable traffic to move onto newly constructed facilities as they are completed, including:

Northbound Interstate 680 connector ramp to Eastbound State Route 4
Westbound State Route 4 connector ramp to Northbound Interstate 680
New Grayson Creek Eastbound and Westbound bridges
Shifting traffic onto the new median concrete pavement widening on State Route 4 between Pacheco Boulevard and Walnut Creek Bridge

Planned closures include:
Thursday, May 28 through Sunday May 31, 2020: Varies by evening, see below for specific times
Nightly full freeway closures for Eastbound and Westbound State Route 4 and full closure of the following ramps:

Full ramp closure of Eastbound SR-4 connector to Northbound I-680
Full ramp closure of Southbound I-680 connector to Eastbound SR-4
Full Ramp closure of Northbound I-680 connector to Eastbound SR-4

Thursday, May 28, 2020: 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Full freeway closure of Eastbound SR-4 from Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way including full ramp closures listed above.

Friday, May 29, 2020: 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Full Freeway closure of Westbound SR-4 between Solano Way and Pacheco Boulevard including full ramp closures listed above.

Saturday May 30, 2020: 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Full Freeway closure of Eastbound SR-4 between Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way including full ramp closures listed above.

Sunday May 31: 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Full freeway closure of Westbound SR-4 between Solano Way and Pacheco Boulevard including full ramp closures listed above.

Motorists are advised to be alert for on-site closure and detour signs, and to Slow for the Cone Zone. Please drive with caution through the detours and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and vehicle ahead of you. Please note that the construction schedule and closure information presented here are subject to change based on weather and other conditions. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work to complete these important improvements.

About the Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project
The Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project will widen approximately four miles of State Route 4 in both directions between Morello Avenue in Martinez and State Route 242 by adding a third lane in the eastbound and westbound directions to improve on-ramp and off-ramp merging. The project also includes widening of five structures, extending eastbound State Route 4’s carpool lane approximately two miles, installation of safety lighting, and replacement of the Grayson Creek Bridge to bring it up to current State bridge safety codes. This segment of work in this multi-phased project will lay the groundwork for future improvements to connector ramps, improve traffic safety and enhance traffic flow.

Fatal collision in Concord claims life of 52-year-old man Thursday morning

May 29, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Concord Police closed Monument Blvd. for four hours following the fatal collision on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Photos by CPD.

By Concord Police Department

On May 28, 2020, at approximately 6:14 AM, Concord PD Officers were dispatched to a report of a solo vehicle collision on Monument Blvd. near Virginia Lane. The vehicle traveled eastbound on Monument Blvd. and veered off the road, colliding with a support pole on the south sidewalk of Monument Blvd., near 1500 Monument Blvd. The male driver, 52-year-old Concord resident, and sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Monument Blvd., between Lacey Lane and Virginia Lane, was closed for approximately four hours. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are being released at this time.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Justin Wilson at the Concord Police Department, 925-603-5962. -482