Police launch new public safety survey tool

From Staff Reports

ANTIOCH Police have launched a new survey tool in their latest effort to help enhance public trust and safety.

Antioch police partnered with Zencity, an Israeli-based software company to launch a public survey tool that will help the department better understand the needs of their community such as their concerns, attitudes and their overall trust in police officers. The survey tool will also enhance the department’s responsiveness to those stated priorities.

“We are showing a dedication to work in partnership with our community by gauging their feelings about safety and our delivery of police service,” Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford said in a statement last Friday. “This partnership with Zencity will be a great step toward understanding the needs and concerns of those we are privileged to serve.”

The survey started on Friday, gath-

Brentwood

Feb. 12, 12:31 a.m. A hit-and-run with no injuries was reported on Brentwood Boulevard. Someone hit the reporting party’s vehicle and took off.

Feb. 12, 3:16 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 12, 5:06 p.m. A case of disturbing the peace was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.

Feb. 12, 5:56 p.m. A suspicious person was reported on Balfour Road. A male was reported to be on the side of a building and was trying to get in the scissor lift with a knife. This incident ended in an arrest.

Feb. 12, 6:26 p.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported on Brentwood Boulevard. An unknown male jumped into the reporting party’s vehicle.

Feb. 12, 8:59 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported on Campanello Way.

Feb. 13, 2:50 p.m. A restraining order violation was reported on Second Street.

Feb. 13, 4:25 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Balfour Road. A customer was approached by someone and believes they were distracting her, because when she turned around her purse was open and her wallet was gone.

Feb. 13, 5:14 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Sand Creek Road. An upset customer stole the store’s phone.

Feb. 13, 6:25 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 14, 12:54 a.m. A petty theft was reported on Sand Creek Road. About $300 worth ering responses from residents in both English and Spanish, appearing in digital ads throughout the various social media platforms.

The new effort by Antioch police to try to better understand their community comes about six months after a joint FBI and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office investigation began into eight Antioch police officers for crimes of “moral turpitude.” of items were taken and the person fled in a 2014 Honda Civic.

“I applaud forward-thinking leaders who understand that effective public safety in 2023 requires building trust with the community they serve as part of an overall effort to reduce crime,” Zencity CEO Eyal Feder-Levy said in the statement.

Zencity is a community-input platform used by local governments designed to hear more from residents to get meaningful and actionable insights. Zencity states that it does not collect information such as their name, address or any other identifying information.

Feb. 14, 7:44 a.m. A commercial burglary was reported on Sunrise Drive/Brentwood Boulevard.

Feb. 14, 8:55 a.m. A restraining order violation was reported on Fourth Street.

Feb. 14, 9:16 a.m. A commercial burglary was reported on Armstrong Way/Raven circle. A storage shed was broken into during the night.

Feb. 14, 12:36 p.m. A hit-and-run with no injuries was reported on Sand Creek Road. The reporting person came out from the store and the vehicle had already been hit.

Feb. 14, 1:18 p.m. A petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. A person walked in with an empty bag, filled the bag with merchandise and then left.

Feb. 14, 1:49 p.m. A fight was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.

Feb. 14, 2:28 p.m. A vehicle theft was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.

Feb. 14, 3:20 p.m. A suspicious person was reported on Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 14, 4:27 p.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported on Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 14, 4:56 p.m. A hit-and-run with no injuries was reported on Balfour Road/Highway 4.

Feb. 14, 8:12 p.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported on Monarch Terrace. The reporting party says she woke up to someone inside her house carrying a flashlight, who then left through a bathroom window.

Antioch

Feb. 12, 3:09 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported at the 0 block on Bryan Avenue.

Feb. 12, 10:06 a.m. An aggravated assault was reported at the 1000 block on Claudia Court.

Feb. 12, 11:15 a.m. A simple assault was reported at the 2200 block on San Jose Drive.

Feb. 12, 12:26 p.m. An unwanted guest was reported at the 1000 block on St. Frances Drive.

Feb. 12, 12:27 p.m. A vehicle theft was reported at the 600 block on Doolittle Way.

Feb. 12, 1:05 p.m. An aggravated assault was reported at the 2700 block on Delta Fair Boulevard.

Feb. 12, 1:45 p.m. A simple assault was reported at the 2200 block on Lemontree Way.

Feb. 12, 1:57 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported at the 2800 block on Point Arena Court.

Feb. 12, 2:16 p.m. A vehicle theft was reported at the 1700 block on Mahogany Way.

Feb. 12, 2:20 p.m. A simple assault was reported at the 2800 block on Gentrytown Drive.

Feb. 12, 7:21 p.m. A collision with minor injuries was reported on W. 10th Street/O. Street.

Feb. 12, 7:51 p.m. A hit-and-run with injuries was reported Golf Course Road/Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 12, 10:44 p.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported at the 500 block on B Street.

Feb. 13, 12:08 a.m. A commercial burglary was reported at the 4700 block on Sterling Hill Drive.

Feb. 13, 3:24 a.m. A weapons violation was reported at the 2400 block on Starlight Lane.

Feb. 13, 6:04 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported at the 4000 block on Rimrock Drive.

Feb. 13, 8:01 a.m. A commercial burglary was reported at the 4300 block on Hillcrest Avenue.

Feb. 13, 8:08 a.m. A vehicle theft was reported at the 200 block on Marble Drive.

Feb. 13, 8:19 a.m. A commercial burglary was reported at the 4100 block on Lone Tree Way.

Feb. 13, 8:23 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported at the 2300 block on Sycamore Drive.

Feb. 13, 8:53 a.m. A vehicle theft was reported on Laurel Road/Canada Valley Road.

Feb. 13, 9:08 a.m. A commercial burglary was reported at the 4600 block on Golf Course Road.

Feb. 13, 10:45 a.m. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at the 300 block on L Street.

Feb. 13, 11:57 a.m. A vehicle theft was reported at the 1600 block on Mt. Hamilton Drive and close businesses due to COVID 19, we have slowly been draining money from our bank account as we continued to maintain the building per our lease and pay our monthly and annual bills. Our membership has dropped as we have seniors that are still not willing or able to be around large gatherings or meetings. Currently, we have 242 paid members at $15 a calendar year, and 18 Golden members that are 90 years or over and are free. Most of our activities and classes have been reinstated with less participation. In the past, our largest income was casino trips, which we were not able to continue.”

Feb. 13, 11:57 a.m. A suspicious person was reported at the 800 block on W. 1st Street.

The letter noted that should the Senior Center close, “All services, classes and support for our seniors and the community will come to a screeching stop as our non-profit senior center will be bankrupt and closing the doors. Costa Café will no longer be able to provide hot meals in Oakley and/or a weekly supply of frozen meals every Wednesday. The Oakley Veterans, Delta/Oakley Lions Club, 4-H and Meals on Wheels will have to find a new home as we allow them use of the building for no charge. Food Bank would have to find another group of volunteers and location.”

The city’s grant comes with conditions. The Senior Center “must demonstrate measures taken to increase financial stability (increase in revenue streams and decrease

Brave from page 1 in costs) and provide a May update to the Council on measures that were taken, as well as measures that are planned and implementation strategies to continue moving forward in a positive manner,” according to the staff report.

The grant for the Senior Center is drawn from portions of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds since the money was first received in July 2021. A total of $6,514,000 has been allocated, leaving $3,663,190 remaining to be allocated. Funding must be obligated by the end of calendar year 2024 and expended by the end of calendar year 2026.

Attracting more tourists

The Council also voted to approve ARPA spending $300,000 for the city’s Tourism Fund. The staff report on the allocation said the city would like to establish a tourism fund, which will focus on strengthening and re-establishing our brand around the Delta and sport, recreation and fishing related activities. There are some immediate needs for the fund, which include the sponsorship of fishing tournaments, marketing and advertising related to tournaments and the broader scope of establishing Oakley as the Bay Area’s premier destination for water - related activities.

The Council also approved spending $60,000 for free recreation classes to Oakley youth.

The spending list of ARPA allocations came following a positive report on the city’s things have not been easy the past six months; Munoz said that some days are more difficult than others.

“There are days when I go into my closet and cry,” she said. “That releases my stress, and it helps. However, our support network has been incredible. So many of our friends and family members have brought us meals and have visited Cristian to cheer him up. He loves that. The community of Brentwood has supported our family tremendously. We are so grateful.”

Cristian underwent surgery to remove the tumor and one of his kidneys, then began radiation. Next was chemotherapy. Initially, he traveled to Oakland once a week to receive his chemotherapy treatments, but now they are every three weeks.

Water from page 1 for the meeting. While chromium metal and chromium-3 are considered to be non-toxic, chromium-6 is considered a carcinogen.

Publisher Greg Robinson

Controller Sandie McNulty

Editor Chris Campos

Interim Production Manager Eric Kinnaird

Ad Services Manager Connie O’Neill

Founder & Publisher Emeritus Jimmy Chamoures

Advertising 925-634-1441, ext. 115

Classifieds 925-634-1441, ext. 142

Editorial 925-634-1441, ext. 110

Delivery Questions 925-584-7773

Subscription Questions 925-634-1441

Editorial email editor@brentwoodpress.com finances from Finance Director Tim Przybyla. His Mid-Year Review stated “that if we remain disciplined, as the Council has directed and as incorporated into the city’s financial policies, the city’s operations are and can remain balanced over time.”

He also said that in addition to the 30% Emergency Reserve Fund minimum, another $1 million was reserved at the end of fiscal year 2021/2022 to provide a further buffer in case the housing market or the economy declines.

The opening public comment period at the start of the Tuesday meeting kicked off with three residents speaking out in opposition of the proposed cannabis dispensary from the Continente Ranch recently submitted to the city.

Led off by Orchard Park Middle School Principal Gretchen Gaudy, all three speakers condemned the proposed plans for the cannabis farm site which “is right around the corner from our school with four-year-olds roaming our campus within sight,” as Gaudy said. She was followed by Carol Manning and Lindsay Wisely who repeated their outrage that the city would consider approving any such business within its borders.

Council member George Fuller once again attempted to gain his colleagues’ support to bring the cannabis proposal directly before the City Council, thus bypassing the city Planning Commission. “This proposal is bound to incur the ire of the people one way

“That gives him a good two weeks where he feels normal,” Munoz said. “He is sick a little when he does receive his chemo, maybe four to five days, but other than that, he’s doing really good … he’s still weak and his strength is not here, but mentally and spiritually, he’s doing good.”

One silver lining Cristian has found through all of this is he likes being ‘famous.’ With family, friends and the East County community rallying round for support, he has received his fair share of attention, including being chosen as the Brentwood Tunnels of Joy Fundraiser Recipient in December, as chronicled in a Press story.

Munoz said Cristian now only has two more chemotherapy treatments left. In April, he will meet with his doctors at Kaiser and – they hope – ring the bell to signal himself as being in remission.

“If anyone has any doubt about the confidence of the information I’m providing,” Tsubota said as he picked up his water bottle, “this is Brentwood water. I drink this every day here at work and I turned out fine.”

Tsubota finished the presentation by taking a big drink from the bottle.

Although the chromium-6 level in Brentwood’s water is below both the current and suggested state standards for maximum contaminant level, it is above the public health goal of 0.02 parts per billion suggested by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in 2011.

A public health goal is not a regulatory standard, according to a fact sheet prepared by the office. It is considered a step in the process of developing an enforceable standard that is set by the California Department of Public Health for drinking water that public water systems must meet. The 0.02 parts per billion represents “the estimated ‘one in one million’ lifetime cancer risk level,” according to the fact sheet. This means that for every million people who drink two liters of water or another,” Fuller said. He further insisted that the issue should be brought directly before the city’s voters. His proposal once again failed to gain any traction with other Council members.

In other actions taken Tuesday night, the City Council:

• Approved a $204,000 contract to remodel the Human Resources Department offices; Approved a rewrite of the city’s personnel rules “to make it align with current best practices”

• Approved $700,000 in ARPA funds for “a dynamic, new Citywide Retail and Industrial Revitalization Grant program to help fund façade and building improvements.” The program is intended to stimulate private investment, to improve both the physical appearance and the quality of tenants in retail and light industrial areas throughout the city. The program will offer reimbursement grants for exterior improvements and/or tenant improvements;

• Approved the Final Map for Subdivision 9311 (located east of Jersey Island Road, west of Bethel Island Road and south of Dutch Slough Road) of 334 acres into 276 single family residential lots consistent with the approved East Cypress Corridor Specific Plan The project area is also previously known as the Dal Porto Property North Property.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Doctors will continue to monitor Cristian closely. But after five years of clean scans and labs, he could be considered cancer-free. The family is making plans for a vacation once their cancer journey ends, and Cristian looks forward to returning to school in the fall.

Like other kids his age, Cristian enjoys listening to music and playing video games. He said he hopes to inspire other young cancer patients on his journey.

“I would advise other children battling an illness to stay strong and find a hobby that will distract your mind,” Cristian said. “If you don’t like your medication, just plug your nose and take it. My goals for the future are to be healthy and strong, and to continue to play sports. My illness has taught me how much my family and friends love and care for me.” To comment, visit www.thepress.net with that level of chromium-6 daily for 70 years, no more than one person would be expected to develop cancer from exposure to chromium-6.

The fact sheet emphasizes that a public health goal is not a dividing line between safe and dangerous levels of a substance.

“Drinking water can still be acceptable for public consumption if it contains contaminants at levels higher than the PHG,” it reads. “A PHG is a health-protective level of a contaminant in drinking water that California’s public water systems should strive to achieve if technically and economically feasible.”

Following Tsubota’s presentation, the council sought ways to further reduce levels of chromium-6 in the water, as well as other potential contaminants such as microplastics.

Mayor Joel Bryant asked what it would cost to reduce or eliminate chromium-6 from the well water system as well as what the process would be, but no analysis had been done on either according to Tsubota. He suggested that it may be cheaper to shut down the wells and treat more surface water. Other potential solutions brought up during public comments included reverse osmosis systems, but would also need further analysis.

Following the presentation, the report on chromium-6 was accepted unanimously by the council. According to the agenda packet, Brentwood will continue to monitor both federal and state updates to water quality standards. The city will update its own testing and reporting in accordance with any changing standards and encourages anyone with concerns or questions to contact the Public Works Department at 925-516-6000.

“I have 100% confidence in our water quality as it is right now,” Tsubota reiterated.

Other topics discussed at the Feb. 28 meeting included the Trinity Estates housing development and a farewell to Tsubota, whose departure from city employment after 10 years was announced by Assistant CIty Manager Darin Gale following Tsubota’s presentation. The full meeting can be watched online at https://bit.ly/3JdiTfX

To comment, visit www.thepress.net