Contra Costa Herald

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

2017 National Night Out, Tuesday, Aug. 1

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National Night Out. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

The 34th Annual National Night Out (NNO) for unincorporated Contra Costa County residents is set for Tuesday, August 1, 2017.

NNO is a community-building campaign started by the National Association of Town Watch that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live. NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

NNO is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for (and participation in) local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit, and establish police-community partnerships. We encourage you to get involved and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Neighborhoods can participate by having block parties, cookouts, flashlight walks, and youth programs. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office will try to stop by some neighborhoods to interact with residents and share crime prevention tips. These events are fun, effective, and inexpensive ways to interact with your neighbors and law enforcement while strengthening those relationships and learning about crime prevention.

If you are planning a National Night Out event in the unincorporated areas, we would like to try to stop by and say hello.

Please register your event at https://natw.org/registration and email Specialist Carlye Slover at cslov@so.cccounty.us with the street location and time of your event and we will do our best to pay you a visit.

Sheriff gets green light to build $95 million West County jail project

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The white topped buildings show the approved expansion of the West Contra Costa Detention Facility.

Supervisors consider Grand Jury Report on East Contra Costa Fire Protection District

By Daniel Borsuk

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston exited the County Administration Building in Martinez the victor on Tuesday when county supervisors voted 4-1 to spend $25 million in general funds towards the construction of the controversial West Contra Costa County Reentry, Treatment, and Housing Facility in north Richmond. Only District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond voted no.

As the Sheriff left the building, a cluster of opponents to the project, chanted, “We Shall Overcome.”

Supervisors had agreed to spend county funds of which $15 million comes from the General Fund Reserve, $4.5 million from the Sheriff’s Plant Acquisition Account, and $2.5 million from the 2011 Local Revenue Fund upon learning the county was awarded $70 million in Senate Bill 844 Jail Construction funding from the California Board of State and Community Corrections on June 8.  In addition, $3.2 million of 2011 In-Kind Match Land Value funds will be allocated for the project.

Two years ago Livingston was unsuccessful in securing SB 844 funding for the jail project when the county’s application was disqualified by the state corrections agency, but this time around the county’s application sailed through without difficulty, he told supervisors.

“It comes as no secret that I will vote no on this project,” said Gioia.  “Spending $15 million of general fund money is inappropriate.”

The supervisor said this jail project has started a movement to “shift money from enforcement to prevention” in the community, a statement a number of community speakers had pleaded supervisors do numerous times over the past several months.

See the Sheriff’s presentation to the Supervisors, here: West County Detention Facility expansion presentation

Obviously, the community push to spend county public money on community health programs instead on a county jail project that would provide mental health services for inmates fell apart.

Board Chair Federal Glover of Pittsburg disagreed with Gioia, saying, “I’m always on the prevention side.  This will give those in our jail a pathway.  They need programs where they can get another opportunity and find necessary tools to make it in the world when they are released.”

“We need to find ways to prevent and divert people from going to jail,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood.  “People want services, not jail cells.  I understand that.”

Even then Burgis decided to spend the general fund money to construct the jail addition in north Richmond.

For five minutes District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville read a list of community based behavioral health organizations such as the North Richmond Center for Health, West County Health Center, Bay Point Family Health Center, Pittsburg Health Center and Willow Pass Wellness Centers which all receive a piece of the $253 million in public funds that the board of supervisors spends each year.

While Andersen listed the county backed mental organizations, opponents turned their backs to her in protest.

“I want you to know I have been out in the community,” said Andersen,” I’ve talked to people on both sides of the issue.  There are many people who want this project to move forward, but are not here to speak.  Those of you with your signs don’t want to listen to the truth.”

District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff concurred with Andersen.  “I’ve been in public office 14 years,” said  Mitchoff, “We have been listening.  This board has been putting millions of dollars into mental health programs in our communities.”

Mitchoff also said the board of supervisors had nothing to do with the April 2015 closure of Doctor’s Medical Center in San Pablo, a topic that infrequently popped up sporadically during the public hearings.  The San Pablo hospital closed in April 2015 when a parcel tax measure placed by the hospital’s owner, the nonprofit West Contra Costa Health Care District, failed to gain a two-thirds voter approval in a May 2014 ballot by mail election.

There were plenty of speakers voicing disapproval over the jail project.  Sixty-five of the 70 speakers opposed the jail project.  Some speakers urged supervisors to delay making a decision over concerns the supervisors were being influenced to approve the funding because Sheriff Livingston had secured the SB 844 funding from the state.

Supervisors did not elaborate, but they said they were not swayed by the Sheriff-Coroner Office to approve the local funding portion for the jail project.

Gordon Miller insisted public money should be spent on mental health programs outside the jail.  “It’s like putting lipstick on a pig,” he said in reference to the planned West Contra Costa County Reentry, Treatment and Housing Facility project.

“I want to understand why four out five of supervisors are on the wrong side on this issue,” said Kaiser nurse Susie Riley.  “Mental health is the civil rights issue of our time.”

But County Mental Health Commissioner Karen Cohen of Walnut Creek, a mother of a mentally ill child, called on supervisors to approve the $25 million allocation so that the county can build the 416-bed jail expansion.  “Do the right thing and move the project forward,” she said.

The project will provide 416 beds of which 320 beds will be for high security prisoners and 96 beds for behavioral health inmates, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston told supervisors.  The new facility will replace 420 beds in the existing Martinez jail.

While informing supervisors his department does not conduct United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps or participate in any other ICE activities, Livingston said his department has since 1992 provided beds for ICE arrestees.

“We receive $6 million a year in revenue from the federal government for that ICE contract and I won’t walk away from that kind of money,” Livingston said.

Grand Jury Report on East Contra Costa Fire Protection District

County officials will respond to at least two recommendations and one finding the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury has requested the board of supervisors respond to concerning the financially troubled East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

Supervisors accepted the report at Tuesday’s board meeting, but did not comment on the report.

After closing five of the eight fire stations under the ECCFPD’s jurisdiction in 2009, the grand jury listed nine recommendations of which the county is responsible to respond to two recommendations.

One recommendation states: “The County should consider adopting a policy to collect impact fees from all developers of residential and commercial properties to fund capital improvements that will be needed to open future stations.”

The second recommendation the county needs to respond to states, “The County should consider adopting a policy to enter into agreements with all developers to establish Community Facility Districts to provide operating revenue for ECCFFD.”

The Grand Jury also wants the county to respond to a finding, “The County does not always require developers of residential and commercial properties establish Community Facility Districts.”

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies arrest suspect in El Sobrante shooting

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On Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at about 11:13 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a shooting on the 5700 block of Nottingham Drive in El Sobrante.

Deputies discovered several gunshots were apparently fired and that a home was struck by a bullet. A person who lived nearby was identified as a suspect. Several attempts were made to get him to surrender, but he did not comply. The Office of the Sheriff SWAT Team along with negotiators was called to the scene.

At about 4:50 AM today, the suspect was located nearby and taken into custody without incident. He is identified as 37-year-old Robert McKay of El Sobrante. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: shooting into an uninhabited dwelling, exhibiting a deadly weapon, vandalism, and obstruction. He also had an outstanding arrest warrant. McKay is being held in lieu of $140,000 bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 313-2500. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592.

Supervisors give green light for $60 million Bay Point apartment project

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Rendering of the approved apartment project in Bay Point.

By Daniel Borsuk

Two years in the works, a 193-unit apartment development planned near the intersection of Willow Pass Road and Port Chicago Highway in Bay Point should finally break ground next spring, now that the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $60 million project on Tuesday.

Supervisors listened to Bay Point resident CeCe Valenzuela and several other residents attempt to block the residential development by appealing a County Planning Commission decision granting permission for Meta Corp. to construct the apartment development consisting of eight three-story buildings.

Valenzuela charged the development planned by Meta Corp. will worsen traffic, local schools, air quality, and disrupt tenancy levels.

Valenzuela also criticized the development’s landscape and recreational plans as being inadequate for a development that could accommodate as many at 500 tenants.  The project will have a 25,180-square foot outdoor swimming pool and recreation area.

“This development is overwhelming and very massive” Valenzuela said.  The 193 apartment units would one, two, three, or four bedroom units.   Nineteen units would be set aside for low income tenants.

Development architect Ralph D. Strauss disagreed with Valenzuela saying “The number of people in the units will be professionally managed.”

“This apartment project is the last thing Bay Point needs,” said Bay Point resident Welbon I. Salaam.  “This will impact our local school, worsen an area already with a high crime rate and slow down even more the police response time.”

Bay Point resident Douglas Parker opposed the apartment development based on the fact far more people will live in the apartment units than permitted.  “To suggest that the new apartments will house 2.5 people per unit is a gross under estimate,” he said. “The reality is that these units will house multiple families and overtax any already congested neighborhood.”

“This apartment development will negatively impact three elementary schools and a middle school in the area,” said Bay Point resident Judy Dawson.

In the end, supervisors sided with the developer noting that the high demand for affordable housing in the Bay Area overshadows most other needs including stores, roads, schools and jobs.

During his 17 years on the board, Board Chairman Federal Glover said he has seen a number of potential commercial and residential projects for the Bay Point site come and go, but this apartment development is one he can live with.  “I’m impressed with this development,” Glover said. Glover’s district represents Bay Point.

Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill said she’d vote to deny the appeal and vote in favor of the project because the development will not severely impact traffic, there will not be a significant increase in student enrollment at nearby Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools, and most importantly there is a need for more affordable housing.

“We need to push for affordable housing,” she said. “Each community needs to take on its share of housing.”

Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond also called for more affordable housing.

“One of the top issues in the Bay Area is the need for more affordable housing,” he said.  “This development will help contribute to the housing shortage.”

Meta Corp. Senior Vice Present Aaron Mandel said when construction gets underway, he expects the project to generate 500 construction jobs during the construction period.

See the complete agenda item on the project, here.

Sheriff Crime Reports Contract

In other Board action, by a unanimous vote, supervisors approved a two-year $386,173, contract with Admin, Inc. to provide administrative support services for the Sheriff-Coroner.  The contract will allow the Sherriff-Coroner Office to relieve one sworn officer from non-administrative duties, getting crime reports requested by the general public. The contract will be effect from March 1, 2017 to Feb. 28, 2019.

Sheriff’s Detectives arrest Bethel Island man for attempted murder and child molestation

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Richard Wasso

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division have arrested 45-year-old Richard James Wasso of Bethel Island for attempted murder and numerous counts of child molestation.

This follows an investigation that started late last month after a report about alleged acts of molestation of a minor was made to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. Detectives confirmed the female victim’s allegations and also discovered that Wasso had tried to kill her.

Wasso was arrested yesterday without incident. Wasso is a registered sex offender listed on the California Megan’s Law Website. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on an attempted murder charge and multiple counts of child molestation. He is currently being held in lieu of $7,440,000 bail.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims where Wasso previously lived or spent time in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Santa Clara Counties. The cities include Manteca, Stockton, Ceres, Modesto, Gilroy and Morgan Hill.

Anyone with any information about Wasso is asked to contact the Special Victims Unit of the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2625. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.

Bay Point man arrested in child molestation, pornography case, Tuesday morning

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Pablo Ruiz. Photo by CCCSheriff

On Tuesday morning, March 21, 2017, law enforcement officers arrested 33-year-old Pablo Ruiz of Bay Point for child molestation and distribution and possession of child pornography.

This follows a ten-month investigation lead by detectives from the Sexual Assault Unit of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff. In April 2016, investigators from the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force were contacted by authorities in Lynchburg, Virginia, who had identified Ruiz as a suspect who was trading child pornography over the internet. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office took over the case. Investigators served a search warrant at Ruiz’s residence and collected a significant quantity of computer evidence. A short time later, evidence was uncovered that Ruiz had sexual contact with at least one minor.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has charged Ruiz with five counts of child molestation, aggravated possession of child pornography and nine counts of distributing child pornography. Ruiz is currently being held at the Martinez Detention Facility in lieu of $1.5 million bail.

Detectives believe there may be other victims. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to please contact Detective Norvell at 925-313-2625. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

The prosecution is a result of an investigation by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Antioch, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department and District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Alameda Co. Deputy Sheriff, Antioch resident, who died last week to be eulogized at Concord Pavilion, Friday

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Deputy Michael Foley. photos courtesy of the Alameda Co. Sheriff’s Office

By Allen Payton

The funeral service for Michael Foley, an Alameda County Deputy Sheriff and Antioch resident, will be held this Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Concord Pavilion.

The 60-year-old was struck by a bus at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Wednesday, February 22 and died from his injuries, the next day. Foley worked for the Concord Police Department for 29 years, prior to his service with Alameda County.

A message was posted on the Sheriff’s Facebook page on Thursday: “It is with great sadness we report that Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Michael Foley has died from his injuries. Mike started his law enforcement career in 1978 as an Officer with the Concord Police Department. After a long and successful 29 year career there, he retired and was hired by ACSO in 2007. Michael was one of the hardest working Deputies on this agency. He used his experience and wisdom to mentor countless numbers of young officers throughout his career. He was an extremely kind man who loved his family, friends, co-workers and community. He believed in public service and making the world a better place. All of us who were touched by his life will never forget him. He is a role model and a great example for others to follow. Our hearts are broken today. Please keep Mike and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Sheriff’s escort for Deputy Foley’s body on Sunday, Feb. 26.

On Sunday, Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs escorted Foley’s body from John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau, according to a post on the Alameda County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

He is survived by his wife Tammie, and children Michael and Tonya. A GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit the Foley family and verified by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. http://www.gofundme.com/deputy-mike-foleys-family-fund According to that site, Foley “chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college.”he chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college. After 29 years with the Concord Police Department, he chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college. We are hoping to lighten the burden of this sudden loss. After 29 years with the Concord Police Department, he chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college. We are hoping to lighten the burden of this sudden loss.

In addition, the San Francisco Police Credit Union has established an account under the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County Charitable Foundation for the benefit of Deputy Sheriff Michael Foley. Contributions may take place in person at a local branch, mail or electronically utilizing account #1387350 S5 M Foley Memorial Fund.  Funds may be forwarded to SFPCU via mail or electronically as follows:

ACSO DSA Charitable Foundation for Michael Foley 2550 Irving St San Francisco, Ca 94122 Acct#1387350 S5 Routing#321076496

Teen arrested for filming others in locker room at Walnut Creek health club

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On Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at about 11:40 AM, the Office of the Sheriff was dispatched to a report of harassment that occurred at a fitness center on the 2800 block of Jones Road in unincorporated Walnut Creek.

A Deputy Sheriff spoke to the male victim who was apparently secretly recorded with a cell phone while in a locker room. This happened on February 20, 2017. The video and photos were posted to Snapchat.

The Deputy contacted the 17-year-old suspect, who is not being identified. The suspect was later arrested for invasion of privacy. He was cited for violation of California Penal Code 647(j) and then released to his parents. The investigation into this incident is continuing.

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

Suspect in 2015 North Richmond murder arrested in Mexico

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The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff announced, on Friday, that a suspect wanted in connection with a murder committed in North Richmond on November 26, 2015 is now in custody.

Guillermo Sanchez was wanted for the killing of 23-year-old Isela Moreno of North Richmond. On Thanksgiving Day 2015, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a re-port of an unknown problem/disturbance at a residence on the 400 block of Market Avenue in North Richmond. The caller advised that there was an injured person. Deputies arrived on scene and found a female who was bleeding from multiple stab wounds. The fire department and an ambulance were called. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim was later identified as Moreno.

Homicide Detectives from the Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division identi-fied the suspect as Sanchez, who fled to Mexico. Detectives worked closely with the U.S. Marshals Service and on January 24, 2017, the U.S. Marshals San Diego Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Northern District of California in coordination with the government of Mexico effected the arrest of Sanchez in Guadalajara. He was returned to California.

The 22-year-old Sanchez was booked for murder at the Martinez Detention Facility. He is being held in lieu of $2,050,000 bail.

 

Two men from Oakley, Pittsburg arrested in Antioch following high-speed stolen car chase, Saturday night

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The stolen car recovered on Eagleridge Drive in Antioch by County Deputy Sheriffs and Antioch Police following a high-speed chase, Saturday night, Jan. 28. 2017. photo by Allen Payton

By Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Saturday, January 28, 2017, at about 8:22 PM, a deputy sheriff observed a stolen vehicle travelling in the area of Somersville Road in Antioch.

Office of the Sheriff helicopter STARR3 was overhead as the deputy followed the vehicle on surface streets. A traffic enforcement stop was initiated at Buchanan Road and San Jose Drive in Antioch once Antioch PD units were in position to assist. The suspect vehicle failed to yield, leading the deputy and officers on a pursuit.

STARR3 stayed overhead following the pursuit.

The pursuit continued onto eastbound Highway 4 and then exited onto Hillcrest Avenue. In the area of Eagleridge Drive and Eagle Court, the two suspects fled on foot trying to hide in backyards. One person driving by who called the Herald said it looked like there were about 10 police and sheriffs vehicles on the scene.

One witness said he saw Sheriff’s Deputies and Antioch Police capture the two men in the backyard of a nearby home after they ran from the suspect vehicle. STARR3 directed ground units to where both suspects were hiding on Owl Court. They were taken into custody.

They are identified as 31-year-old Herbert Williams of Pittsburg and 29-year-old Etuate Faiva of Oakley. Both were booked on numerous charges: vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evasion, obstruction, and probation violation.

Both are being held at the Martinez Detention Facility without bail.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.