Contra Costa Herald

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

Pittsburg Police join statewide operation to combat human and sex trafficking

By Leave a Comment

Dozens rescued, hundreds arrested

By Pittsburg Police Department

On January 29th, in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Pittsburg Police Department personnel took part in a statewide human trafficking operation. Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is an annual multi-agency initiative that focuses on rescuing victims of human trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, and identifying and arresting their captors. Police agencies and other trafficking task forces throughout the state joined in the operation this year to continue a no tolerance focus on human trafficking and sex crimes.

This year, the Pittsburg Police Department joined with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, and over 100 other agencies throughout the state of California to combat Human and Sex Trafficking. This statewide Task Force is an example of how individual law enforcement agencies can work together to be more effective when they join together.

As the operation took place throughout the state, Pittsburg Police Detectives were hard at work in our own community, making three arrests related to human trafficking crimes. In addition, several other suspects in human trafficking cases were identified. These arrests are part of the over 450 arrests and 39 rescues that were made throughout the statewide operation.

We were proud to do our part in making Operation Reclaim and Rebuild a big success in Contra Costa County.

 

Sacramento man dies in solo crash on Hwy 4 in Pittsburg Monday morning

By Leave a Comment

By CHP Contra Costa

Monday morning, Jan. 25, 2021 at about 7:58 am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo overturned vehicle crash on Hwy-4 eastbound, just east of Loveridge Road in Pittsburg. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a solo black Nissan Ultima had overturned along the right shoulder area and the driver (41-year-old male from Sacramento) had been ejected from the Nissan and sustained fatal injuries. The solo male driver was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of his identity.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision, but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it and have not spoken yet with CHP, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Oakland woman dies in solo crash off Hwy 4 between Antioch and Oakley early Sunday morning

By Leave a Comment

By CHP Contra Costa

Early this morning at about 2:45am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle crash on SR-160 northbound, at Main Street. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a solo black Hyundai Elantra had veered off the roadway into the center median and collided into the center concrete guardrail. It then plunged down onto Main Street located below SR-160.

The solo female driver (25-year-old woman from Oakland) was ejected from the Hyundai and sustained fatal injuries. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of her identity.

Alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in this collision, but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it and have not spoken with CHP, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Oakland woman dies in solo crash off Hwy 160 between Antioch and Oakley Sunday morning

By Leave a Comment

By CHP Contra Costa

Early this morning at about 2:45am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle crash on State Route 160 northbound, at Main Street. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a solo black Hyundai Elantra had veered off the roadway into the center median and collided into the center concrete guardrail. It then plunged down onto Main Street located below SR-160.

The solo female driver (25-year-old woman from Oakland) was ejected from the Hyundai and sustained fatal injuries. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of her identity.

Alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in this collision, but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it and have not spoken with CHP, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

 

Suspect arrested in Monday Bay Point homicide of Pittsburg man, bail set at $1 million

By Leave a Comment

By CCCSheriff at Vine.com

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The suspect in the Bay Point homicide that occurred on Monday, January 18, 2021, has been arrested.

On Monday at about 6:36 PM, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to the 2100 block of Willow Pass Road in Bay Point regarding a man who was shot.

Deputies found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. They rendered medical aid until the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The victim was identified as 42-year-old Tresylan Shelton of Pittsburg. An autopsy found he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Sheriff’s Office detectives investigating the homicide identified the suspect as 27-year-old Jerome Goodwin of Bay Point. They obtained an arrest warrant for him.

On Saturday, January 24, 2021, detectives traced Goodwin to a motel on the 4000 block of Alhambra Avenue in Martinez. At about 4:50 PM, Sheriff’s Office SWAT team served the arrest warrant and took him into custody without incident.

Detectives interviewed Goodwin and he was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for murder. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa paid jobs program begins Saturday, Jan. 23

By Leave a Comment

Workforce Development Program offers part-time employment and training in Pittsburg

The Workforce Development Program at St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County is a paid job training program that helps the unemployed re-enter the workforce and find stable employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen millions suddenly find themselves out of work. In these hard times, it is more important than ever that job applicants understand workplace expectations and have the soft skills to be a contributing employee.

The 24-week program teaches participants the skills and techniques to find a job and be successful in the workplace, offering training in resume development, interviewing, and organizational skills in a supportive and compassionate environment. Mandatory orientation sessions will take place on Saturday, 1/23/21 & Tuesday, 1/26/21 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at 2210 Gladstone Drive, Pittsburg. To register call (925) 439-5060.

The Workforce Development Program aims to help tear down the barriers that stand in the way of employment for individuals who have struggled to obtain and maintain employment. Participants work with mentors and take weekly classes to develop workplace skills. A new class of participants is selected every six months.

Participants gain paid, part-time, (22.5 hours per week), work experience in a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store or SVdP’s trucking and transportation department. Additional training in retail operations including cash register operations, inventory display and optimization, and warehouse operations is also provided.

James Neitte, a graduate from SVdP’s 2017 WFD cycle, said, “SVdP was kind of a last-ditch effort for me. Going through that program really changed my life.” Convicted of multiple felonies in 2011, Neitte has maintained a steady job since graduating from the SVdP program in 2017.

The program is located at 2210 Gladstone Drive in Pittsburg.

St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County has provided safety-net services in the county for over 57 years, serving 100,000 people annually and distributing over $1M of direct financial assistance and over $1.5M of in-kind aid. Over 750 SVdP volunteers and a small staff lead operations in Contra Costa including the SVdP Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, 28 branches, and 3 Thrift Stores. One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, St. Vincent de Paul is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of more than 800,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 155 countries on five continents.

Sheriff’s Office investigates Monday shooting death of Pittsburg man in Bay Point

By Leave a Comment

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff

On Monday, January 18, 2021, at about 6:36 PM, Muir Station deputy sheriffs were dispatched to the 2100 block of Willow Pass Road in Bay Point regarding a man who was shot.

Deputies found the victim who suffered from gunshot wounds. They rendered medical aid until the fire department and an ambulance arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The victim is a 42-year-old resident of Pittsburg. He is not being identified at this time. An autopsy this morning found he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Hayward man arrested for armed hostage incident in Discovery Bay Monday morning

By Leave a Comment

From Vine.com through CCCSheriff’s website.

A felon on parole for kidnapping, Sheriff’s SWAT Team assisted by Antioch Police and CHP

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff

Monday morning, Jan. 18, 2021, at about 5:49 AM, Delta Station deputy sheriffs responded to multiple reports of a person pointing a gun in the Starbucks located at 14804 Highway 4 in Discovery Bay.

There were reports that there were several people inside the store at the time the suspect entered.

One customer ran into one of the bathrooms, locked the door, and called Sheriff’s Dispatch.

At the time, it was first believed the employees were possibly hiding in a back office, but it was later discovered they had escaped out the backdoor shortly after the suspect entered the business.

Deputies quickly set up a perimeter and made announcements for the suspect to surrender.  The suspect was seen pacing back and forth inside. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Antioch Police Department and the CHP. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded.

At about 7:04 AM, the suspect opened the back door and eventually stepped outside.  A react team of deputies entered through the front door and was able to rescue the customer who was still inside the bathroom.

The suspect was initially non-compliant, but eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. A loaded handgun was found in one of the bathrooms during a safety sweep of the business.

The suspect is identified as 29-year-old Lamont Dwayne Lomack of Hayward. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: false imprisonment, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition by person prohibited, carrying a loaded firearm, brandishing a firearm, and parole violation. Lomack is currently on parole for kidnapping. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

 

Antioch’s Markstein Sales Company combats slavery, human trafficking, appeals to other business leaders to get involved both locally and nationally

By 2 Comments

Owner Laura Markstein places a sign on one of the company’s trucks. Video screenshot.

Through partnerships with New Day for Children and the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Markstein is making a difference to stop this growing crime against children

Help Stop Human Trafficking by reporting a tip or seek help by calling the National Hotline at 1-888-373-7888

By Rebecca Butler

ANTIOCH, Calif. – As part of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January,  Markstein Sales Company (Markstein), a woman-owned and operated wholesale beverage distributor in Northern California, today appealed to business leaders around the country to join in its fight against slavery and human trafficking.  As a long-time supporter and sponsor of the New Day for Children organization that provides funding to help American children who have been recovered from sex trafficking, Markstein has also now joined a nationwide campaign with the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) where beer distributors, who collectively visit more than 600,000 retail establishments across the country, can play a vital role in identifying and reporting suspicious activity often unseen by the typical public.

“Rapidly escalating profits, the internet, limited police resources, and unaware communities have created a perfect storm for the child sex trafficking industry here in the United States. It is the second fastest growing criminal industry in our country, and one that employs sophisticated business practices and is highly lucrative,” said Sharon Wood, Executive Director of New Day for Children. “Today, the U.S. Justice Department estimates that 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked for sex in the United States. Through partnership with businesses, such as Markstein Sales Company, we can provide the funds and resources needed to transition many of these children to safe housing and therapeutic care, and help prevent it from happening to another one of our children.”

Human trafficking is a growing problem in the U.S., with more than 11,500 human trafficking cases reported in 2019 alone. California has consistently had the highest human trafficking rates in the United States with 1,507 cases reported in 2019. To help combat this, Markstein is installing signage on all of its 75 vehicles that are typically on the roads of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties 14 hours per day, six days per week. The goal of these signs is to raise awareness locally and to provide easy access to hotline information for people that suspect or know of human trafficking cases. Markstein is also providing personalized training, leveraged from both NBWA and New Day for Children, for all truck drivers and merchandisers so they know what to look out for on their daily routes and in the businesses they serve.

“While our work to end human trafficking began at the local level, this is a national problem that needs all business leaders to stand up and make a difference. I am calling on all companies to get involved locally with groups like New Day for Children and nationally with efforts like those sponsored by the NBWA,” said Laura Markstein, President of Markstein Sales Company. “Whether that involves a sign in a highly visible location or extra eyes and ears for identifying and reporting suspicious behavior, there are many companies such as beer distributors that are in a very public and unique position where they can make a significant difference to fight this cause.”

“Beer distributors have behind-the-scenes access to the prime locations where traffickers could be exploiting victims – from bars, restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, to package stores, sports arenas and grocery stores,” said Lauren Kane, Vice President of Communications, National Beer Wholesalers Association. “We commend the work Markstein Sales Company has already been doing locally with programs like New Day for Children. Combining this with their commitment to the NBWA Distributors Against Human Trafficking campaign, means they have the opportunity to significantly impact the fight against human trafficking. Beer distributors in other states have seen a 175% increase in calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline after they started educating their employees and putting signage on their trucks. We are confident Markstein’s efforts will bring similar life-changing results to California.

Call to Action

  • If you are a beer distributor, join the campaign being spearheaded by the NBWA to build awareness and provide training to educate employees on recognizing and reporting the warning signs of human trafficking.
  • If you are any other type of company that has vehicles, products or buildings that are constantly in the public eye, leverage your visibility to do your own campaign and encourage others in your industry to follow suit.
  • Support and sponsor New Day for Children. This nationally recognized charity provides support and assistance to American girls, ages 10-18, who have been recovered from the despair of sex trafficking. Your financial support can provide safe housing, school, medical, mental health care, equine therapy, and much more.
  • Take off the blinders.  If you think this is not happening in your community, you are wrong.  Every state, county, city, and town needs to help combat this nationwide crisis.  This Markstein video outlines the problem and the ways companies and individuals can make a difference.

“I am proud to work for a company that provides the tools and training to turn an average workday into an opportunity to help in a big way,” said Dustin Miller, Commercial Driver, Markstein Sales Company. “As I go about my daily routes, I feel more empowered than ever before to play a part in preventing and stopping these horrible crimes against both children and adults.”

New Day for Children is a nationally recognized 501-(c)3 charity that provides support and assistance to American girls, ages 10-18, who have been recovered from the despair of sex trafficking.  Your financial support provides safe housing, school, medical, mental health care, equine therapy and more. New Day for Children collaborates with quality programs for the children’s care. In this video you will see one such facility with New Day supported girls.

About Markstein Sales Company

Markstein Sales Company is a fourth-generation, woman-owned and operated wholesale beverage distributor based in Antioch, Calif. Founded in 1919 with just a horse, a wagon and six cases of beer, Markstein is now in its 101st year and distributing over four million cases annually to 1500 retailers in the Bay Area. The company’s portfolio is composed of multiple world-class beers including the Anheuser-Busch InBev and Constellation Brands family of beers, several high-quality craft beers and many others. Markstein is known for outstanding customer service, dedication to their employees and commitment to the community. The company continues to rank as best in class by retailers and is one of the top ten largest Woman Owned Businesses in the Bay Area. More information can be found at https://www.marksteinsalescompany.com.

 

Dredging up the past at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

By 1 Comment

Sand and water dredged from the San Joaquin River are pumped onto Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge in October. The water will return to the river through outfall pipes, leaving the sand behind. Credit: Mark Hayes/USFWS

Sand from the Port of Stockton is restoring a unique refuge

By Brandon Honig, External Affairs Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Over thousands of years, the shifting sands of time built dunes that reached 120 feet high and stretched for two miles along the San Joaquin River, about 35 miles east of San Francisco. Isolated from similar habitats, the Antioch Dunes slowly developed species found nowhere else in the world.

The gradual shifting of sand, however, was replaced by a rapid effort to turn it into bricks in 1906, after a devastating earthquake and fires demolished buildings in San Francisco. As industry depleted the sand over the next 70 years, the dunes’ unique species struggled to survive on dunes that eventually topped out at 50 feet.

Now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and Port of Stockton are trying to turn back the clock, one load of sand at a time. Since 2013, the Port has pumped nearly 92,000 cubic yards of sand — enough to fill more than 6,500 dump trucks — onto the dunes to support three endangered species: the Lange’s metalmark butterfly, Antioch Dunes evening primrose and Contra Costa wallflower.

There may be fewer than 50 Lange’s metalmark butterflies remaining today, down from an estimated 25,000 between 50 and 100 years ago. The butterfly is only found at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Steve Martarano/USFWS

“The population of Lange’s has been trending downward for a couple of decades now,” said Mark Hayes, a biologist with the Service’s San Francisco Bay-Delta Office. “We counted about 10 butterflies in 2020, and the total population is very likely less than 50 currently. This is precariously low.”

The orange, black and white butterfly with a wingspan of 1 to 1.5 inches, whose population likely numbered 25,000 less than a century ago, was listed as endangered in 1976. The white-petaled primrose and yellow-petaled wallflower followed with listings in 1978.

The Service established Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge for the three species in 1980, making it the first national refuge for insects and plants. At the time, the 55-acre urban refuge with two non-adjacent units was also the nation’s smallest.

partnership with the Port of Stockton. The landscape to the right shows refuge land that has not yet been restored with sand. Credit: Brandon Honig/USFWS

“This is a very industrial neighborhood we’re tucked into,” Louis Terrazas, a wildlife resource specialist for the refuge, said of Antioch Dunes. “There’s a shipyard on one side, a gypsum-processing plant, an old water-treatment facility over there and two strips of land owned by Pacific Gas and Electric.”

As sand disappeared in the 20th century, non-native grasses and plants took hold, crowding out the primrose, the wallflower and the Antioch Dunes buckwheat, which is the only plant where the Lange’s butterfly will lay its eggs. In the early 2000s, a series of wildfires further cut the butterfly population, leaving only about 100 alive in 2010 — all on the refuge’s 14-acre eastern unit.

With no butterflies to protect on the western unit, the Service decided to overhaul that site and try to restore the conditions that had once enabled the dunes’ endangered species to thrive. Refuge staff began looking for sources of sand in 2012 and were soon contacted by the Port of Stockton.

Beachgoers lounge on an Antioch, California, sand dune in the early 1900s, before much of the sand was mined for building materials. Credit: Contra Costa County Historical Society

The Army Corps of Engineers dredges sand from the San Joaquin River each year to clear passage for cargo ships, and the Port is responsible for finding sites to place the sand. The Port typically sent sand to nearby Sherman Island, but saw an opportunity to make a real impact at Antioch Dunes.

“Our board has been pushing us to reach out and find projects like this — ways we can go above and beyond the normal regulations to try to have a beneficial impact on the [Sacramento-San Joaquin River] Delta,” said Jeff Wingfield, the Port of Stockton’s director of environmental and public affairs. “It costs us a little extra in time and prepping the site and some other little work, but for us it’s important to beneficially reuse the material.”

Since the Port’s first delivery in 2013, the evening primrose has experienced a huge jump in numbers, Terrazas said, and the wallflower and buckwheat are also reappearing. Eventually the refuge hopes to re-establish the Lange’s butterfly on the western unit as well.

The Contra Costa Wallflower, right, and Antioch Dunes evening primrose live side by side at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, the only national refuge established to protect plants and insects. Credit: Susan Euing/USFWS

To fully restore the refuge’s dune system, the Service could continue taking sand deposits for a couple of decades, Terrazas said, which might not be possible without the Port partnership.

“We bought some sand from another site in 2009, but it was really expensive, and the sand material had some non-native species in it,” he said. “We decided it was not the best method of restoring the site.”

The endangered Antioch Dunes evening primrose has shown a huge jump in numbers since dune-restoration began in 2013. Credit: Steve Martarano/USFWS

Under the current method, the Port provides and delivers clean sand, and it doesn’t cost the Service a dollar. USFW staff devotes a great deal of time to this project, but the sand itself and the labor to place it at the Antioch Dunes are donated.

“Restoring the dunes is vitally important to the refuge’s ecosystem and could be the key to long-term preservation of its endangered species,” Hayes said. “We value our partnership with the Port and hope this continues as we implement our restoration plan.”