Antioch

Antioch Mayor Says “All Options” on the Table to Reduce Violence

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On Wednesday, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thrope and the Antioch Police Department held a press conference to provide an update on recent violence in the city of Antioch.

Captain Joe Vigil, join Hernandez-Thorpe, stated no arrests have been made in the 15 recent shootings and confirmed there have been no shootings in past 72-hours. He also confirmed the department is staffed with 74-officers.

Vigil also confirmed the city stands at 12-homicides in 2024. According crime data, Antioch is around 10 homicides on average per year over the last decade.

Hernandez-Thorpe says going forward they will be providing a daily briefing on social media so that residents are informed while extra patrols will continue in the Sycamore community.

“Those that are creating this havoc, understand that we are not letting up and the police department is keeping their eyes open to find you and hold you accountable,” stated Hernandez-Thorpe.

At the next council meeting, he will propose the city fund $100k for additional overtime for “other agencies”. The agencies were not identified but the goal was to add extra patrols. He also said one agency has taken Antioch up on the offer.

“We will also be moving forward with a parking permit program for the Sycamore area, Pepper Tree and Lemon Tree area. We have allowed that to fester for some time so now its time to try to begin restricting those areas to simply residents,” explained Hernandez-Thorpe. “We have allowed people to come from the outside and take over the streets for drug activity and its slowly going to come to an end.”

He also stated he has called on the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to support them with Safe Streets Task Force—a letter was sent Monday. He has continued to call on the California Highway Patrol for additional support—the support is ongoing but not consistent.

“Let me speak very clear to the people who have been wreaking havoc on our community. We are going to find you. We are going to hold you accountable, and you will pay the price for what you have done,” says Hernandez-Thorpe. “The day you find yourself in court, I will be right there in your sentencing hearing to ensure they lock you up and put you away for a long time.”

He added he would continue to pursue tougher actions if needed.

According to Vigil, a two-man crew has been out at Sycamore over the past week and that crew has been extended for the next several weeks. They have also been working with community partners, faith-based groups and others to find solutions. They have also looked out to regional partners and other agencies.

He confirmed no arrests, but they are getting close on several shooting cases and potentially have suspects.

Sycamore Square

Mayor says if it was up to him, he would completely shut down Sycamore Square and move the businesses elsewhere. Says he is 1 vote out of 5 and doesn’t have the support to do that.

In response to 2021 press conference, mayor says long-term solution is hiring more police (city has hired 40). He also says last two-years where text messages resulted in FBI Investigation which reduced police staffing levels and special units.

All Options on Table

When questioned on what a curfew would accomplish when shootings do occur during the day, Hernandez-Thorpe said he was not ready to comment because they were not at the point yet where a curfew would be proposed.

Hernandez-Thorpe proclaimed no one was blind to what has been going on in Sycamore for decades and they have been focused on gun violence prevention. He said also said they are developing the “gun violence prevention program”.

Reiterates goal to have 115 officers within the Antioch Police Department.

When asked when the city will take “more extreme measures”, Hernandez-Thorpe responded that all options are on the table.

“Everything is on the table. I don’t think any idea is off the table. Some people are saying we shouldn’t do curfews, we shouldn’t do National Guard, if we can’t curb the violence, we have to take every measure necessary to protect peoples lives,” said Hernandez-Thorpe. “Someone said the National Guard will not come, it doesn’t mean I am not goi to ask. We have to do something. Every tool, every option is on the table. Nothing should be taken off.”

 

The press conference comes days after Hernandez-Thorpe issued a statement on social media over the weekend saying all shootings were related and retaliatory in nature. Antioch Police then corrected the mayor in their own press release stating there had been four new shootings that were un-related and could not say for certain they were gang related.

Thorpe also proposed over the weekend:

  • Extra patrols on Sycamore Drive,
  • Calling for Contra Costa County District Attorney to support Antioch Police through Safe Streets Task Force – calling for immediate help.
  • Calling for mutual assistance from regional law enforcement partners to add more patrol to Sycamore and Cavallo
  • Calling on Governor Gavin Newsom for California Highway Patrol (CHP) support.
  • Will begin looking into community led solutions
  • Antioch could restrict access to Sycamore Community
  • Antioch could restrict access to Cavallo Road
  • Antioch could enact a curfew
  • Calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to call on the National Guard

Timeline:

Recent Shootings:

  • Sept. 22 –Two Wounded in Rite Aid Parking Lot: Two people were wounded in a shooting that accorded in the Rite Aid parking lot at A Street and E 18th Street at approximately 9:15 am in the City of Antioch. Both victims were transported by AMR to an area hospital and no details have been released. Its unclear what led to the shooting.
  • Sept. 21 – At approximately 9:00 pm Saturday, Antioch Police responded to Sycamore Drive for a report of a shooting. Preliminary information was no one was struck by gunfire. However, several businesses were struck.
  • Sept. 20 – Antioch Shooting Victim Dies, Search for Suspect Underway
  • Sept. 19 – Police Say Man Shot Thursday Night in Brentwood
  • Sept. 17 – Antioch Police Issue Statement on 12 Recent Shootings:  On September 2nd, 21-year-old Elijah Scales was shot and killed in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. Since the homicide, Antioch PD has responded to nearly a dozen shootings that may be related. Eight of the shootings have occurred in the past five days. Details for each shooting are noted below.
  • Tuesday, 9/3, 7:26 pm (2100 block of Peppertree Way) – Report 24-7865. Multiple firearms were used to fire at least 32 bullets. A 31-year-old man was shot in the leg.
  • Wednesday, 9/4, 8:59 pm (2100 block of Peppertree Way) – Report 24-7898. 11 bullets were fired from multiple guns. The gunfire struck a nearby building.
  • Saturday, 9/7, 9:31 pm (Sycamore Drive at Peppertree Way) – Report 24-7991. 29 bullets fired from multiple firearms. A 52-year-old woman was shot in the leg while in the parking lot of Sycamore Square.
  • Thursday, 9/12, 8:21 pm (2100 block of Lemontree Way) – Reports 24-8193 and 24-8194. At least 26 bullets were fired. The gunfire struck two nearby homes. One resident was grazed by a stray bullet and suffered a minor injury to his neck that didn’t require medical attention.
  • Thursday 9/12, 8:31 pm, (1000 block of Fitzuren Road) – Report 24-8195. At least three bullets were fired. The gunfire struck a nearby business.
  • Thursday 9/12, 8:32 pm, (2900 block of Pear Street) – Report 24-8197. At least three bullets were fired
  • Sunday 9/15, 9:10 pm, (Sycamore Drive at Peppertree Way) – Report 24-8309. At least 13 bullets were fired. A nearby home and unoccupied vehicle were struck by gunfire.
  • Monday 9/16, 2:40 am (600 block of G Street) – Report 24-8316. Multiple firearms fired at least 12 bullets
  • Monday 9/16, 4:54 pm (Contra Costa County Fairgrounds) – Report 24-8353. Multiple firearms fired at least 30 bullets. A man was shot on the Fairground property. The man is currently in critical condition. The fairgrounds fall under Contra Costa County jurisdiction, so the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this matter.
  • Monday 9/16, 7:46 pm, (L Street at William Reed) – Report 24-8356. Multiple firearms fired 50 or more bullets. Two nearby businesses were struck
  • Monday 9/16, 7:48 pm, (1800 block of Cavallo Road) – Report 24-8357. At least four bullets were fired. A 58-year-old man was shot while attending a memorial gathering at this location for Elijah Scales. The man is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.

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9 comments

Frank 09/25/2024 - 1:27 pm
Well we now know that a fire has been lit under Lamar. It took many shootings, death and last of all an election year. SOB now everything is on the table. Start serving warrants and send a message because I'm sure all the thugs weren't at the council meeting. I bet there was individuals that had lost family members under this regime. I hope they remember to vote for change in Antioch.
MODERATE 09/25/2024 - 1:52 pm
Well, Lamar, this is an occasion when the city council actually OUGHT to be having emergency meetings to implement some of these "options that are on the table." Action - not more talk on social media.
WPR 09/25/2024 - 3:47 pm
Well how about that all it took was 11 murders the mayors name and picture in Daily Mail article that went worldwide. Coverage of a made crisis could severely limit a career in politics. Fully staffed APD is 115 officers and that shortfall in number of officers should be the ONLY point of focus for both mayor and city council. A $30,000 signing bonus for new officers is an absolute insult considering city of Alameda signing bonus is $70,000. Increasing signing bonus will save city money by having 115 officers overtime will be reduced and crime will be reduced. Perhaps simple economics is something mayor and woke city council members. . By electing a woke majority city council decline of Antioch accelerated, Over 1,000 vehicles stolen this year and with only 75 police officers closure rate on any criminal case is probably low further emboldening criminals. Simple reason for large number of side shows in Antioch is participants know there are not enough officers on shift and to confront such large numbers of people to do so endangers officer safety. . Citizens of Antioch here's something you can do keep Antioch in the news cycle. Anytime you see problems let national media know. Negative media coverage is a great motivator of politicians who fancy themselves God like. . George Soros-backed PAC spent $1MILLION on woke California DA's campaign, records show amid soaring crime: Burglary is up by a third, car theft climbs by a fifth and rapes surge by 7.5% in Bay Area city https://tinyurl.com/2xc4akvz
Tim Z 09/25/2024 - 4:58 pm
Is one of the options a new mayor?
Big Daddy 09/25/2024 - 10:10 pm
This clown has spent the past few years claiming that crime is down and put a tied the hands of APD. Now that we’re approaching election time “all options are on the table” to deal with the crime… He’s going to provide “daily briefings”…. You’re too late Mr Mayor! Politics and public service is not for you Thorpe!
RS 09/26/2024 - 3:02 am
Fake Mayor Thorpe is at it again. What's worse about this time is the proximity of elections around the corner. If he gets re-elected (let's all pray that does NOT happen!), he'll go back to his normal behavior. No, NO, NO --- vote this dude out before he makes it impossible to be a resident of this city.
sudsy 09/26/2024 - 1:47 pm
What about the rest of Antioch? Hope the Police will also take care of the rest of Antioch (not only Sycamore corridor). It would take every officer on every shift to just take care of Sycamore and to hell with everyone else? This character (polite name for him) needs to get lost.
3henry21 09/27/2024 - 1:21 pm
I was driving home yesterday from Kaiser Deer Valley, and there was a big "Thorpe for mayor" campaign banner laying on the ground in the gutter, I was quite amused because that's exactly where he belongs, not the mayor of this city. The press conference is an obvious grand standing as the election draws near, he hopes to do something now that will erase voter memory of the years of failure. Unfortunately, there is most likely a percentage of voters that it will work with. I only hope that percentage is not large enough to get him re-elected. The Sycamore corridor is getting the most attention right now, but as previous said, it's not the only section of town that needs attention. He laments and complains about the coming loss of the Antioch Amtrak station, but he refuses to see or acknowledge the problem in "Rivertown". Driving through there, you are greeted by many vacant buildings, with boarded up store fronts from broken windows, the parking lot that adjoins the Antioch Lumber building is occupied by shady characters engaged in who knows what. The man (and the city council) can't even take care of the area just a few blocks away from their offices... pathetic. Every option is on the table? Does that include him walking out the front door one last time after the election? I hope so.
D Williams 09/28/2024 - 7:52 am
How is Thorpe our mayor? Thousands paid for his sexual harassment problems, DUI convictions. We need a quality person as mayor not a drunken perv.

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