Brentwood Press 07.08.16

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Vol. 18, No. 28

YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Annual All aboard! crime report a mixed bag by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer

While a recent police department performance report revealed that certain crimes rose in 2015 as compared to the year before, city leaders feel that the force is right on track. The annual update showed a 14.7 percent increase in violent crime, although the spike is mostly attributed to a 58-case rise in simple assaults - classified as those that do not cause serious injury and without use of a deadly weapon. Several members of the Brentwood City Council said that public safety remains its top priority, and current and future reinforcements should help crimefighting efforts. “We just added a second motorcycle unit, a K9 and a detective that we hadn’t had, so we are being a little proactive,” said Mayor Bob Taylor. The report highlighted an increase in rape cases, arsons, serious assaults, nonresidential burglaries,

A Step Back In Time

T

rain rides, water games, balloon clowns and more were the order of the day during the recent Stroll Festival at The Streets of Brentwood. The fun included live bands, street entertainment, food trucks and beer and wine pavilions.

Photo by Tony Kukulich

see Crime page 22A

Holiday fires stretch resources by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

Photo by Susannah Meyer

A grass fire along Vasco Road, above, kicked off a string of Fourth of July weekend fires, leaving fire crews severely strained.

A series of fires over the Fourth of July weekend left Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) crews severely strained and residents from Oakley to Discovery Bay without coverage for periods of time. Two separate fires burned 13 acres of grass and light brush along Vasco Road, approximately one half mile north of the county line, on Saturday morning, July 3, closing traffic in both directions for hours. Responding companies included Calfire and Alameda County. According to ECCFPD Battalion Chief Brian Helmick, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no injuries were

reported. That evening, a suspected fireworks-induced fire caused approximately $100,000 worth of damage to Town and Country Roofing Inc., on Elkins Way, in Brentwood. The blaze began with a fouracre vegetation fire on both sides of Marsh Creek Road and Hansen Lane and traveled to Elkins Way, where it consumed the supply yard of the company. The blaze took 12 hours to extinguish to ensure all hotspots in the building were subdued. No injuries were reported. For ECCFPD Fire Chief Hugh Henderson, the weekend was a series of difficult, dangerous see Fires page 22A

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July 8, 2016

Dr. Peter Makari shares knowledge of Middle East with Contra Costa County residents.

The storied history behind Grand Island Mansion still captivates and thrills. Page 6A

Veteran Of The Year 2016

Antioch’s Stephen P. Todd honored for service to his country and community. Page 5A

An Olympic Reunion

Heritage High School trio of swimmers reunite at Olympic Trials. Page 1B Calendar............................. 15B Classifieds............................ 8B Cop Logs............................. 14B Entertainment..................21A Food.....................................20A Health & Beauty...............10A Milestones.........................23A Opinion...............................16A Pets......................................24A Sports ...................................1B

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Landscape expert Joseah Rosales shares details of conservation methods.


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