Contra Costa Herald

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

STAND! for Families Free of Violence to hold panel discussions on preventing domestic violence April 30, May 7

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Interrupting a lethal moment: A multi-disciplinary panel discussion highlighting collaborative approaches to intervene in potentially lethal domestic violence in Contra Costa.

In Brentwood and San Pablo

This informative event will be held in three locations throughout the county to share information on how STAND!, law enforcement, and medical professionals are working together to interrupt high-risk events and interactions between intimate partner victims and offenders.

Panelists include Ashley Palomino, STAND! Intervention Support Services Manager, local law enforcement representatives, and medical experts in emergency treatment of domestic violence patients.

Registration is free. Register at http://standforfamiliesfreeofviolence.ticketspice.com/lap-speaker-series.

Oakley to celebrate 25th anniversary of cityhood beginning with Birthday Party May 4

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The City of Oakley, incorporated in July 1999, is one of California’s youngest cities. Residents enjoy a charming area with an abundant housing supply, quality schools, and a friendly atmosphere that truly make Oakley, “A Place for Families in the Heart of the Delta.” Learn more at either www.ci.oakley.ca.us or www.facebook.com/CityofOakley.

Alexis Gabe homicide to be featured in “On the Case with Paula Zahn” April 24

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From City of Oakley

In 2022, our community was gripped with the disappearance of Alexis Gabe, who was a local resident of ours. Our police department became deeply involved in her disappearance and quickly began operating as if Alexis met with foul play. This case ultimately became a case involving several jurisdictions in California and the State of Washington.

The suspect was the ex-boyfriend of Alexis and he was killed during the investigation, further hampering the efforts of local law-enforcement. Partial human remains were found in Amador County later that year and positively identified as those of Alexis. (See related article)

Alexis’ case will be featured on the program “On the Case with Paula Zahn” on April 24, 2024. The program will feature interviews with family members of Alexis and Oakley Police personnel. To see the program, you will need to be able to tune into the Investigation Discovery Channel (ID Channel).

 

Some Antioch Police officers in racist text scandal fired, some back to work

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Investigation continues, expected to conclude next week

“…some officers have returned to work or will be returning, although some have been terminated.” – APOA attorney Mike Rains

UPDATE: As of Friday, April 12, 2024, APD has 77 current sworn officers of which 50 are on full duty status.

By Allen D.  Payton 

Following up on a February Herald article about the Antioch Police Officers still on paid for the investigation into the racist text scandal since last March, questions were emailed on Thursday evening, Feb. 8, 2024, to City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed and Human Resources Director Ana Chavez asking:

“How long can police officers or any city employee remain on paid administrative leave?

Since most of the officers merely received but didn’t send any of the text messages, what possible disciplinary actions can be taken against them? 

When will the officers who merely received but didn’t send any text messages return to work? Have any of them yet? If so, how many?

Can the investigation just go on indefinitely and the taxpayers continue to pay the officers on leave to not do their jobs?

Can’t the officers return to work as each one is deemed to have not committed any fireable offense?

Or do all of them have to wait to return to work until after the entire investigation has been completed?

Have any disciplinary actions been taken against any of the officers, yet? If so, how many? What did they include?

Have any of you been approached or pressured by any of the council members to keep the investigation open and not allow the officers to return to work – other than the public statements by the mayor and Councilwoman Torres-Walker that they want all of them fired?” (See related articles here and here)

No responses to those questions were received from the three city staff members.

At that time, 31 sworn officers were on some form of leave, most of whom were for the text investigation and only 50 on the force were actively working. As previously reported, most of the officers caught up in the scandal only received some of the text messages but didn’t send any. (See related articles here, here and here)

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in response to a resident claiming none of the officers were still on leave due to the text scandal, questions about the officers on leave were asked of Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, Acting Police Chief Brian Addington and Mike Rains, attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association.

They were asked if that statement was correct, if all the officers had returned to work and if any of them had been terminated.

Reed responded simply, “The process is still ongoing.”

Addington wrote, “That is incorrect, but I can’t comment further.”

However, Rains shared more details writing, “We have not resolved all the cases. Some are resolved, and some officers have returned to work or will be returning, although some have been terminated.”

“I won’t discuss the outcome of administrative cases until all are concluded, probably in a week – 10 days,” he added.

According to a post by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe on his official Facebook page entitled, “April Police Staffing Update” of the 115 sworn officer positions approved in the city budget, there are currently 89 sworn officers including nine Community Service Officers on the force. Of that amount 39 are patrol officers. His report also shares that there are six officer candidates currently in the Police. Academy and seven more are preparing to enter the academy this month.

But it doesn’t mention how many sworn officers are currently active. A question was emailed early Thursday afternoon to both Reed and Addington asking how many of the 80 non-CSO sworn officers are currently active.

UPDATE #1: They did not respond before end-of-business hours on Thursday. However, when asked if he had any comment, APOA Vice President Sgt. Loren Bledsoe responded, “The APOA cannot comment on personnel matters; however, we look forward to the conclusion of the investigation so we can focus on rebuilding.”

UPDATE #2: On Friday, Acting Chief Addington provided the following department staffing details, writing, “As you may be aware, staffing levels can change daily. With that said, as of today, APD staffing levels are as follows:

115 – Authorized sworn staff

77 – Current sworn staff

5 – Modified duty (working but not able to work at full capacity)

22 – On some form of leave

50 – Full Duty Status

39 – Assigned to Patrol – 33 officers, 4 sergeants, 2 watch commanders

7 – Assigned to Investigations – 1 lieutenant

4 – Command Staff

7 – Community Services Officers (4 vacancies).”

Los Medanos College celebrates “50 years of excellence in education”

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Unveils anniversary logo

By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, Calif. – Los Medanos College (LMC) this year celebrates its golden anniversary, and to kick off recognition of its 50 years of excellence in education, workforce training and innovation, the college released its 50th Anniversary logo.

The golden logo harkens back to LMC’s retired brand. At the center, the stylized compass rose in which each direction spells LMC is indicative of its mission to help students find their future. While that mark has gone out of use, it remains a sentimental favorite among alumni and long-time residents of the East Bay community.

The anniversary logo’s looping five and zero of the 50 touching the inner golden circle conveys the infinite search for knowledge and truth, and unwavering service for the greater good. The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) opened Los Medanos College in Pittsburg in 1974 to serve east Contra Costa County. Today, its service area includes Pittsburg, Antioch, Bay Point, Clayton, parts of Concord, Brentwood, Oakley, Knightsen, Bethel Island, Byron, and Discovery Bay. It is the third of three colleges within 4CD.

“Over the past five decades, LMC has grown and adapted to the needs of our students and the greater community,” President Ralston said. “Our program offerings have grown to over 90, we’ve added the new state-of-the-art Brentwood Center, and we have established ourselves as a cultural focal point for the community. Looking ahead to the next 50 years, we are focused on continuing this legacy with our alumni leading, innovating and shaping a sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.”

For LMC, 2024 will be a golden year of celebrating its collective successes and achievements. LMC in the past year has emerged in the Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges for the fifth consecutive time. The college is among the best community colleges for math, according to BestAccreditedColleges.org, and LMC athletes consistently win the conference and make it into post-season play.

Stay tuned for upcoming events throughout the year.

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Community Ready Corps to hold Positive Pull-Up Initiative to address crime, blight in Pittsburg, Antioch April 7

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Oakland-based Black self-determination organization to cleanup streets, provide free food, prizes

Community Ready Corps (CRC), based in Oakland, California, supports low-income families by participating in the Positive Pull Up Initiative this weekend, promoting cleaner and safer neighborhoods by finding solutions to local problems throughout the East Bay. CRC will organize street cleanups, provide free food, and prizes.These events are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday at various locations, and the media has been invited to attend.

Pittsburg/Antioch
Sunday, 12:30 PM –  2 PM – W. 10th & Black Diamond Street, Pittsburg

Sunday, 3:30 PM –  5 PM –  Sycamore & Peppertree, Antioch

“CRC is committed to debunking the doom loop narrative as part of our Positive Pull-Up Initiative advocating for solution-focused strategies. As I’ve said before, every city has problems however, Oakland’s legacy is about showing the world that whenever something goes wrong, our communities will pull together to fix the problem,” said Tur-Ha Ak, founder of CRC. “The impacts of the pandemic have spiked crime, homelessness, and blight.  Let’s not forget food insecurities for struggling families in disenfranchised neighborhoods mostly who are Black and Brown. This Saturday and Sunday, CRC is dedicating critical services and having fun while doing it.”

Information on CRC’s Positive Pull-Up Initiative can be found on CRC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. The group’s social media posts, showing dozens of Black community members cleaning up the streets with a large Black garbage truck (affectionately called “Big Black”), have been shared hundreds of times and inspired others to join them. It also includes CRC members providing gift cards, fresh produce and prizes to support low-income families in Oakland.

About CRC

CRC is independently funded and has taken no government subsidies to provide necessary materials and equipment, such as their garbage truck, to tackle public safety concerns. Community Ready Corps (CRC) is a Black self-determination liberation organization that combats white supremacy and works to build capacity in nine specific areas: Self Defense & Safety, Economics & Prosperity, Family Systems & Stability, Traditions & Ways, Technology & Efficacy, Education & Competence, Art & Media, Politics & Governance, and Health & Well Being.

LMC to honor five recipients of 2024 César Chávez: Honoring a Legacy awards April 5

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Award for Exemplary Community Service, East County Educator Award, Spirit Award

By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College (LMC) is pleased to announce honorees of the 2024 César Chávez: Honoring a Legacy Awards Celebration. Honorees will receive recognition at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5 in the Student Union Conference Center, 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg.

This event celebrates the life of labor leader and human rights activist César Chávez and recognizes East Contra Costa County community members who follow his example of service, activism, and non-violent social change. Event details are posted at www.losmedanos.edu/chavez.

 

This year’s honorees:

Concepcion James, chair of United Latino Voices of Contra Costa County, earned the César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service forher long-standing commitment to service and for demonstrating the core values modeled by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.

Rosa Armendáriz, interim dean of Equity & Inclusion at LMC, and Jessica Linares Boyle, Puente counselor at LMC, earned the East County Educator Award for demonstrating the qualities of César Chávez and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students of color and those from low-income families.

Teyoltlahui Gonzalez, a student leader from Pittsburg High School and Gabriel Perez-Cano, a student leader from LMC, earned the César Chávez Spirit Award in recognition of their efforts over the past year to affected change through advocacy and social justice.

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Maya Cinemas Pittsburg holds scholarship drive through April 15th

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Get free passes for donating to Maya Community Foundation

By Greg Heckman, Director of Marketing, Maya Cinemas

Maya Cinemas, known for developing movie theatres in underserved communities with state-of-the-art presentation, first-class amenities and community involvement, is offering free movies passes for donations to the Maya Community Foundation. Beginning on April 1st and running through April 15th, movie-goers can make a donation at any Maya Cinema and receive 1 free movie passes (valid 4/1/24 – 5/15/24) for every $10 they donate and 3 passes for every $25. One hundred percent of donations will be granted as college scholarships to members of the communities surrounding the theaters. Scholarship applications are live at wearemaya.org/scholarship-applications.html and will be open until May 30th.

The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas’ theatres serve. The foundation is dedicated to fostering and supporting under-served, low-income communities through a variety of programs.

Donations can be made in-theatre at any of Maya’s six locations:

Pittsburg, CA – 4085 Century Boulevard

Salinas, CA – 153 Main Street

Delano, CA – 401 Woollomes Avenue

Fresno, CA – 3090 East Campus Pointe Drive

Bakersfield, CA – 1000 California Avenue

North Las Vegas, NV – 2195 North Las Vegas Blvd.

“Support of higher education is an important building block. The Maya Community Foundation and Maya Cinemas endeavors to enrich the community through several efforts with education being a primary focus.” said Heidi Garcia, Maya Community Foundation.

ABOUT MAYA CINEMAS

Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2000 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, multi-plex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities.  Maya Cinemas offers first-run Hollywood movies and unique content through its Canal Maya program in high-end theaters focused on quality of design, state-of-the-art film presentation technology, and providing first-rate entertainment with superior customer service.  The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas serve.

Fugitive task force arrests Antioch man for violating federal supervised release, failure to appear on gun, drug charges

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U.S. Marshals and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies on the scene of the arrest on Almondwood Drive in Antioch on Wed., March 27, 2024. Photo by Allen D. Payton

Wanted by Pittsburg Police, has history of arrests

By Allen D. Payton

On Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service with the help of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a wanted fugitive, Timothy Demetrius Jeffrey of Antioch, on Almondwood Drive in Antioch for escaping federal custody. According to a resident who lives in the neighborhood officers could be heard yelling through a loudspeaker, “You are surrounded. Come out with your hands up.”

According to Abigail Meyer of the United States Marshals Service Office of Public Affairs, “The Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) arrested Timothy Jeffrey, 43, on both his federal Supervised Release Violation warrant and Pittsburg PD Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant, the original charges for both were distribution of dangerous drugs. In addition, his FTA included charges for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of large capacity magazine, and resisting arrest.

The PSWRFTF requested assistance from local law enforcement and a Contra Costa Sheriff’s K9 officer assisted with the rear perimeter.”

According to localcrimenews.com, Jeffrey was arrested by Pittsburg Police on April 25, 2023 for the aforementioned charges. He had previously been arrested on Feb. 29, 2016, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for federal (21 U.S. Code Section 846) attempt  and conspiracy charges. Jeffrey was also arrested in Jan. 2010 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for vehicle theft.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch, 200-pound suspect who is Black, (born 4/24/80) is being held in Santa Rita County Jail in Dublin on no bail.

One man arrested at drug lab in Brentwood, couple also sought

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Max Hayworth and Danielle Kumerow in a Facebook post on May 24, 2022. Source: Kumerow’s Facebook page. (No photo could be located of the suspect arrested)

Maxwell Michael Hayworth, Danielle Kumerow are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, child endangerment.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at about 9:52AM, detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on the 800 block of Shasta Daisy Drive in Brentwood.

During the search, they found a DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) manufacturing laboratory. While processing the lab, a team from the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program found a possible explosive compound stored in three containers.

The Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad responded to the location. Officers suspected the compound was TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide), which is a highly volatile explosive compound. It was determined that two of the containers could be moved to another location for detonation, while one needed to be detonated in place. Nearby residents were evacuated.

The three containers were later detonated without incident. One person was arrested: 29-year-old Jonathan Thomas McCarthy (born 2/18/95) of either Oakley or San Jose. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for an outstanding arrest warrant for parolee at large. The Sheriff’s Office is still looking for two suspects:

-44-year-old Maxwell Michael Hayworth of Brentwood

-42-year-old Danielle Kumerow of Brentwood

Both are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, and child endangerment.

The six-foot, two-inch, 230-pound McCarthy is currently at the West County Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. at an out of county court. According to recentlybooked.com, he was also arrested in Napa County on Sept. 19, 2023 for a probation violation.

According to localcrimenews.com, Hayworth was arrested by the CCC Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 10, 2024, for multiple weapons drug charges. He was arrested again on March 13, 2024, by Martinez Police for drug possession and burglary. But he bonded out of custody the next day.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident or the location of the suspects is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance: Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad, Brentwood Police Department, FBI, JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force), Con Fire, AMR, and Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.