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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 12, No. 6
Violence down, property crime up by Justin Lafferty
“ I’m impressed that the police department
Staff Writer
In response to reductions in staff, the Antioch Police Department made a decision in 2010 to focus mainly on crimes in which residents’ lives were at stake, such as homicide, rape and robbery. The priority shift, along with the rejiggering of beats, helped the city reduce violent crime by 46 cases (5.3 percent) in 2011 over the previous year. “I think just our successes in apprehending and prosecuting people that are responsible for violent crimes is phenomenal,” said Acting Captain Leonard Orman. “Some of these things we had started doing in 2010, but things take time to have an effect. I’m hoping that 2011 was the result of things that we started doing in 2010.” But the changes also meant that more property crimes were reported.
is able to do as much as they are. Obviously the theft numbers are not what we’d like to have, and that is indicative of the fact that we have less police officers, but that will change once we start increasing the officers.
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Mayor Jim Davis Antioch’s sworn police officers, who have seen their ranks thinned from 126 to 94 over the past few years due to budget cuts, believe that what the department has done to keep residents safe was a sound choice. According to recent statistics, the city encountered a 25.1-percent spike in property crimes such as theft, burglary and arson. One of the most dramatic spikes was in theft. Antioch was hit with 522
more cases of theft last year, a 49.8percent increase. Burglaries were up 22.8 percent. The department also reported 19 more incidents of arson compared to 2010, a 51.4percent rise. Orman pinpointed two causes of the increase in property crime: lack of staffing, and lenient terms of parole. Most of those arrested for crimes such as theft and burglary are repeat offenders. Some residents, such as Bev-
erly Knight, believe the crime problem is even worse than what’s reported. “People don’t call the police because in their daily routine they see traffic violations, vandalism, beggars everywhere – the police do nothing,” Knight wrote in an e-mail to The Press. “These are the things that need to be addressed. When the bad guys see no enforcement of little things, they think they can do whatever they want.” Antioch saw eight fewer homicides in 2011 than in 2010. Rapes were reduced by 11, robberies by 23 and aggravated assaults by four. Throughout 2011, Police Chief Allan Cantando announced at City Council meetings that the efforts of his officers were making a difference and that violent crime was declining. Mayor Jim Davis commended the hard work done by Antioch ofsee Crime page 26A
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February 10, 2012
Wealth watch
Our Money Matters section offers insights on how to cultivate and keep your hardearned cash. Page 1B
Resignation to inevitable After five months of storm and stress, a Discovery Bay official is calling it quits. Page 3A
Surviving separation
County budget looks solid for now by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of David Piepho
Federal Glover and Mary Piepho were sworn in as vice chair and chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. County Supervisors recently announced that next year’s budget looks healthy.
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Though unofficial and preliminary, Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa had some good news to deliver at a recent Board of Supervisors retreat: the county’s budget looks solid for now, and Twa doesn’t foresee the need for any staff or service reductions in the upcoming fiscal year, which starts June 1. Contra Costa County District III Supervisor Mary Piepho, who represents much of East County, emphasized that this is a preliminary look at the upcoming budget, but was happy with Twa’s report. The county’s situation could always change, as the state faces its annual budget crisis, making for a moving target at the county and city levels. “He thinks we’re going to be in decent shape but is cautiously opti-
mistic,” Piepho said. “It’s definitely the first bit of good news we’ve had in many years. Our employees and department heads deserve significant recognition.” Twa’s presentation pointed to the phasing out or elimination of several expenditures through labor negotiations with the county’s 7,662 employees to show that the coffers look healthier heading into fiscal year 2012-13. The county budget dealt with a $29.2 million pension cost increase in 2011-12, a cost that won’t be factored into the upcoming budget. County employees will also be put back on furloughs, saving roughly $8.2 million in payroll. Twa also believes property tax revenues will flatten out, not decline, in the upcoming fiscal year. Property tax, see Budget page 26A
His family lives a state away, but this Antioch wrestler is demonstrating a firm grip on stability. Page 19A Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 17B Cop Logs ............................ 22B Entertainment ................. 23B Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty ..............16A Milestones ........................12A Money Matters .................. 1B Opinion ..............................18A Sports .................................19A
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Cookie monsters Winning wardrobe Heart’s content go to news/WebExtras!
The Girl Scouts are celebrating their 100th birthday with a new treat.
go to news/press releases A clothing drive will help women receive professional business attire.
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Zumbamaniacs broke a sweat and boosted funds for women’s health.