Beginning Saturday, February 17, 2024, the Antioch Library will be closed until further notice.
The Contra Costa County Library has made this difficult decision after repeated dangerous incidents in the last few months that have threatened the safety and security of patrons and staff.
During the closure, the Library will be working to implement further security measures so we can reopen as soon as possible. These will take some time to complete, and we do not have an estimated date for reopening. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress.
HOLDS
If you have questions about library materials on hold, please contact us.
RETURNS
The book drop will be closed. Please return books to the Prewett Library, Pittsburg Library, or any other Contra Costa County Library. You may also hold onto your returns until after the Antioch Library reopens. The Library will automatically extend the due dates on your materials.
We apologize for the short notice and the inconvenience but the safety of our patrons and staff is a top priority.
UPDATED Story: County Librarian Made Decision to Close Antioch Library for Safety Concerns
On Saturday, the Contra Costa County Library shed more light as to why they abruptly shut down the Antioch Library in the City of Antioch.
According to Brooke Converse, Contra Costa County Library Public Information Officer, she said they did not reach out to the City of Antioch over safety concerns, but due to another serious incident earlier this week the County Librarian made the unilateral decision to close the library immediately so increased security services can be implemented. — click here
Editors Note:
The Antioch Police Department has updated its crime data for 2023 where they saw an increase in total offenses by 1,127.
With a police force that is understaffed, the city saw 131 additional burglaries, 166 additional larcenies, 45 more robberies, 399 more vandalism, 595 more vehicle thefts and 48 more weapon violations in 2023 when compared to 2022.
Here is a look at the crime data as provided on the city of Antioch website.
| 2022 | 2023 | +/- | |
| Murder | 9 | 10 | +1 |
| Negligent Manslaughter | 2 | 3 | +1 |
| Justifiable Homicide | 4 | 1 | -3 |
| Rape | 43 | 33 | -10 |
| Robbery | 166 | 211 | +45 |
| Aggravated Assault | 513 | 436 | -77 |
| Burglary | 428 | 559 | +131 |
| Larceny | 1480 | 1646 | +166 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 650 | 1245 | +595 |
| Arson | 16 | 8 | -2 |
| Simple Assault | 944 | 1029 | +85 |
| Intimidation | 77 | 55 | -22 |
| Bribery | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Counterfeiting/Forgery | 21 | 9 | -12 |
| Vandalism | 673 | 1,072 | +399 |
| Drug/Narcotic | 78 | 61 | -17 |
| Drug Equipment | 21 | 24 | +3 |
| Embezzlement | 7 | 17 | +10 |
| Extortion/Blackmail | 1 | 5 | +4 |
| Fraud | 587 | 428 | -159 |
| Gambling | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Kidnapping | 36 | 24 | -12 |
| Pornography | 6 | 8 | +2 |
| Prostitution | 1 | 1 | – |
| Sodomy | 6 | 10 | +4 |
| Sexual Assault w/object | 7 | 1 | -6 |
| Fondling | 49 | 33 | -16 |
| Incest | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Statutory Rape | 11 | 3 | -8 |
| Stolen Property | 115 | 101 | -14 |
| Weapons Violations | 173 | 221 | +48 |
| Human Trafficking, Commercial Sex Acts | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Human Trafficking, Involuntary Servitude | 2 | 0 | -2 |
| Animal Cruelty | 3 | 3 | – |
| Total Group A Offenses | 6130 | 7257 | +1,127 |
*2023 crime data is based on unaudited RMS data at the time of report generation and is subject to change
In August, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe claimed sideshows were down while in September claimed crime was down—even after data was provided by Antioch Police in a mid-year report which showed a 31.09 percent increase in crime which included 33.3% increase in homicide, 47.2% increase in robbery, 62.5% increase in burglary, 19.4% increase in theft, 85.7% increase in auto theft.
12 comments
There’s maybe 3 people in Antioch that will be inconvenience by this. If it was a liquor store or a smoke shop Antiochers closing, they would be up in arms.
SMH. Parking lot is full most time every day. Maybe it’s a Park and Ride? Might be time for you to back away from the key board and the belief that we want to hear read opinion on all things Antioch.
SMH. Parking lot is full most time every day. Maybe it’s a Park and Ride? Might be time for you to back away from the key board and the belief that we want to hear your opinion on all things Antioch.
Antioch is becoming Oakland 2.0 – the danger zone. Basic everyday routines are being restricted due to crime. How pathetic. Meanwhile…back at city hall, more fluff.
This town has been reduced to lawlessness. No one should have to fear for their lives at work. The Mayor and City Council have utterly destroyed Antioch
Thorpe is a hugely bad actor. Everything he says and does will be scrutinized before the elections WHEN WE WILL BOOT HIM OUT!
smh…
If anyone was watching the city council meeting Tuesday, you would have thought I was a party as they appointed their cronies to a kangaroo court to oversee police officers. Their focus continues to be off, they should be using that time to discuss how to make the city safer and instead hold real criminals accountable.
”after repeated dangerous incidents in the last few months that have threatened the safety and security of patrons and staff” I wonder who is causing these problems? I wonder what the schools are like that your children attend? You get what you deserve Antioch.
This is very sad news, though I’m not surprised. Clearly there needs to be oversight so when an elected official(s) isn’t mentally competent to serve the city they were elected to serve, the people have some protection from the insane choices said incompetent elected official(s) makes.
Trying to influence the vote?
Antioch politics?
Make our schools safe is their pitch.
Anyone else think it is strange library near two schools closes due to crime weeks before measure B is to be voted on?
Twenty years ago my kids and I were at the Antioch library once a week, and it saddens me greatly that such a valuable resource is now gone for today’s kids living in that area. Books could very well be the only way out for some Antioch youth, and it’s just one more way of reducing their odds.
The crime statistics are probably not accurate, as I’m certain many victims don’t call the police, knowing full well there aren’t enough to go around and most likely nothing will be done. I’d love to hear why, exactly, the cops who have been put on leave but haven’t been charged with anything haven’t been brought back on duty. What am I missing here??
Comments are closed.