Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

2 arrests, 3 vehicles seized, 32 citations issued during joint OTS enforcement operation

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Photos: Concord PD

Coordinated effort by Concord & Oakley PD, CHP Thursday night funded by grant from CA Office of Traffic Safety

Pursuit of one vehicle ends in Fairfield

By Concord Police Department

The Concord Police Department partnered with the Oakley Police Department and the California Highway Patrol to conduct a joint enforcement operation throughout the City last night, Thursday, March 7, 2024. The enforcement focus was on reckless driving, illegal side-show activity suppression and enforcement. During the operation, Officers wrote 32 citations, made two arrests and seized three vehicles.

Vehicles seized for reckless driving, or evading law enforcement, are subject to a 30-day hold. Owners can incur costs of nearly $3,000 to have the vehicles released. Simply put, it’s not worth it!

During the operation, a California Highway Patrol Officer attempted a traffic stop for a vehicle driving recklessly. The vehicle fled from the Officers and a pursuit was initiated, ultimately leading to the capture and arrest of the driver in Fairfield.

During a “side show” in the City of Pleasant Hill, thousands of dollars of damage was done to a private parking lot from vehicle’s driving recklessly. This type of driving behavior is not tolerated, and the Concord Police Department is committed to dedicating the patrol and investigative resources needed to apprehend those violators. Even after a side show event, Investigators are tasked with identifying vehicles in violation, conducting relevant follow up investigation, to include vehicle seizure warrants, to seize those vehicles.

These operations are made possible with a grant through the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and in response to a large amount of citizen complaints regarding this type of driving behavior in our City.

The City of Concord has a lot to offer! Please come, visit and enjoy our wonderful City, but do it safely. Multiple operations are planned in the future to curtail unsafe driving behaviors.

Victim in Sunday fatal crash on Hwy 242 in Concord identified

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By CHP – Contra Costa

Sunday morning, Feb. 11, 2024, at approximately 7:36am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a two-vehicle crash on southbound Hwy 242, south of Clayton Road. Our preliminary investigation indicates a BMW SUV, with one occupant, and a Ford sedan, with one occupant, were traveling southbound on Hwy 242. The vehicles collided and the driver of the Ford sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the BMW was not injured.

The victim was identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office as Cassandra Spain, age 62 from Santa Rosa.

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Felony vehicle alert results in stolen gun recovered in Concord

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Photos: Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

Responding to a felony vehicle alert, a graveyard officer located the suspect’s vehicle near our downtown area. Following a high-risk stop, the driver was taken into custody.

But the story doesn’t end there! During the arrest, officers uncovered a stolen, loaded firearm with extended magazines. This quick and decisive action undoubtedly prevented a potential threat to our community.

Concord PD asks public’s help to ID suspect in sexual assault

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Video surveillance photo of suspect in Concord sexual assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Source: Concord PD

Special Victims Unit needs your help

By Concord Police Department

On October 7, 2023, at approximately 10:17 AM, the male in the attached photograph sexually assaulted a female in the pedestrian tunnel under Hwy 242 connecting Franquette Avenue and Market Street. The male may frequent the area around Home Depot (2090 Meridian Park Blvd., Concord).

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this male may contact Detective David Boucher with CPD’s Special Victims Unit at 925-603-5876. CPD Case #23-11048. We also have an anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.

Police seek suspect in fatal Concord hit-and-run on Thanksgiving

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Victim 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.

Concord flight paramedic to be honored as one of 32 Stars of Life

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REACH Air Medical Services flight paramedic Danny Workman. Photo: Global Medical Response

At American Ambulance Association (AAA) Stars of Life Awards Ceremony in D.C.

By Amy Link, Global Medical Response

Danny Workman, flight paramedic with REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) in Concord, was named one of 32 Global Medical Response (GMR) Stars of Life. The Stars of Life program honors EMS first responders who have completed extraordinary acts of service for their patients, colleagues, communities or the EMS profession. Honorees from across the country will be recognized at the American Ambulance Association (AAA) Stars of Life Awards Ceremony, in Washington, D.C. November 5-8.

“This award is among the highest honors an EMS professional can receive,” said Joe Drago, program director for REACH. “In one of the deadliest hurricanes to strike the coast of Florida in recent years, Danny was an integral part of a neonatal team who helped evacuate neonates out of the danger zone.”

Workman said he is honored to be recognized as one of the 2023 Stars of Life. “Serving on a mission to save fragile newborns was a privilege and something I won’t soon forget.”

Each GMR Star of Life represents an incredible story of service and dedication in every area of the EMS industry and is selected by their peers in an extensive nomination process.

Nick Loporcaro, President and CEO of GMR said, “Our Stars are all exceptional EMS professionals who are very deserving of this important recognition. They represent the thousands of GMR first responders who have committed to a profession of service to others. On behalf of all GMR team members, we send our sincerest congratulations and appreciation to all our 2023 Stars.”

About REACH Air Medical Services

REACH Air Medical Services, headquartered in Sacramento, CA, provides critical care air and ground emergency medical services to communities throughout California, Oregon, Nevada, Alaska, Texas, Colorado and Hawaii. REACH employs hundreds of highly trained nurses, paramedics, pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians to provide service to patients using their fleet of medically equipped helicopters, airplanes and ground ambulances. REACH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), which is the gold standard for patient care and safety in the medical transport industry. For more information, visit www.REACHAir.com.

REACH is part of Global Medical Response. With nearly 38,000 team members, Global Medical Response delivers compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency medical and patient relocation services in the United States and around the world. GMR was formed by combining the industry leaders in air, ground, mobile healthcare services, and community, industrial/specialty and wildland fire services. For additional information, visit us on LinkedIn or at www.GlobalMedicalResponse.com. 

 

Police stop 114 vehicles during Concord traffic safety enforcement

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Photo by Concord PD.

Funded by state grant

By Concord Police Department

This past Friday, the Concord Police Department’s Traffic Unit conducted targeted traffic enforcement operations throughout the City of Concord. These types of traffic safety operations are paramount in keeping our roadways safe and educating drivers on safe driving practices. This operation was made possible through a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

During this operation, 114 vehicles were stopped for various vehicle code violations. Offices focused their attention on the most egregious violations and found one driver speeding on Ygnacio Valley Road at 86 MPH in a 45 MPH zone!

Concord City Council selects new master developer for base reuse project

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The former Concord Naval Weapons Station land south of Highway 4. Photo: Brookfield Properties presentation

Brookfield Properties plans to develop the 2,300 acres of former Naval Weapons Station in 5 phases

By City of Concord

The Concord City Council, sitting as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA), interviewed and designated Brookfield Properties as the preferred master developer for Concord’s Base Reuse Project.

At a special meeting on Aug. 26, the LRA received a presentation from Brookfield about their plan to develop 2,300 acres of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

Following Council questions and public comment, the LRA voted unanimously to select the global real estate developer for this project.

The Concord Base Reuse Project Area Plan. Source: Brookfield Properties presentation

With an office in San Ramon, and part of New York-based developer and real estate conglomerate Brookfield Partners, the developer agreed to a variety of requests including designating at least 25% of the housing as affordable and hiring 40% of its construction workforce from within the county. They propose a multi-phase approach beginning with connecting the community to the nearby BART station within the first phase of construction,

The next steps include outlining the terms of an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) and a “term sheet”, a document that establishes procedures and standards for the negotiation of a comprehensive proposed Disposition and Development Agreement and drafting a Specific Plan for the property.

The Concord Base Reuse Project Phases. Source: Brookfield Properties presentation

Previously, the council had selected Lennar in 2020 and Seeno’s Concord First Partners in 2022 as master developers.

The city council acting as the LRA is expected to consider the ENA at a meeting tentatively scheduled for Sept. 19.

A recording of the Aug. 26 meeting and supporting documents can be found online.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Suspect arrested for armed robbery of mail carrier in Concord

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By Concord Police Department

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, you may have seen a large Concord Police Department presence in the Blackfield Drive area of Concord and later in the City of Vallejo. We’d like to tell you why.

One of our local US Postal Service mail carriers was robbed at gun point while delivering mail to our residents of Concord. Through witness statements, video surveillance, and other investigative leads, our Patrol Officers and Detectives of our Investigations Division identified the suspect vehicle and involved persons.

Last night at about 10 PM, our Patrol officers located the suspect vehicle driving in Concord and initiated a high-risk felony stop on Blackfield Drive with the assistance of STARR 3, Air Support Unit – Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff. Several subjects were detained and taken into custody for various crimes.

Our Detectives also identified a related suspect house in the City of Vallejo and our Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT Team served a search warrant early this morning, resulting in the recovery of evidence related to the armed robbery.

We would like to thank our residents in the community who called in suspicious activity in their neighborhood and provided valuable information to our investigators.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no other information is being released at this time. If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Rutland, Major Crimes Unit – Investigations Division at (925) 603-5853 or the Anonymous Tip line at (925) 603-5826