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Martinez to Hear Police Department Policies on Immigration Violations

by CC News
Martinez Police

On Wednesday, the Martinez City Council will receive a report from the Martinez Police Department on its policies related to immigration violations.

While there is no data on the presentation to be presented by the police department, they did provide its immigration violations policy and bias-based policing policy.

In the last few days, several police departments issued statements regarding immigration enforcement

Here is a rundown of the meeting:

Reiteration of Resolution No. 025-17 – United Community

The Council is being asked to reiterate its Resolution No. 025-17- United Community which was adopted in 2017. The resolution says the City of Martinez is committed to serving and protecting all of its residents with high value placed on diversity, equality and inclusivity. The city will also not inquire upon a resident’s immigration status in either provision of municipal services or in the course of law enforcement. It also says, the city of Martinez Police Department shall not arrest or detain any person solely for violations pertaining to immigration status.

  1. The City Shall not request or maintain information on citizenship or immigration status of any person unless such inquiry is required by state law, federal law, or judicial decision
  2. The City shall not expend resources to conduct sweeps or other concentrated efforts for the purpose of locating and/or detaining persons who are solely suspected of being illegally present in the United States.

Receive report, hold discussion, and provide direction to staff on the Outdoor Dining and Retail Program.

Check back later as documents have not yet been updated onto the agenda – to be uploaded 2/3/2025


Presentation regarding Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) services in 1st and 2nd quarters of Fiscal Year 2025, discuss, and provide direction:

The City of Martinez contracts with Contra Costa County to provide 20 hours per week of outreach services for unhoused persons. In 2024, 127 people lost their housing in the City of Martinez, which is a 10% increase from the previous year.

The Martinez CORE team provided services to 113 unique (unduplicated) individuals and made 492 contacts. Of those served, 45 individuals reported they lost their housing in Martinez and 61 reported they have roots in Martinez (grew up in Martinez, have family, friends, etc.). Each individual was contacted an average of 4 times during the reporting period. There were 162 warming center placements and 2,655 services provided.

The top three self-reported causes of homelessness of those contacted by the CORE Martinez team are: (1) low income 57% (64 individuals), (2) loss of job 39% (44 individuals), and (3) thrown out 29% (33 individuals).

Call Diversion: CORE diverted 323 calls from Martinez Police Department Dispatch during the reporting period. These responses have allowed Martinez Police Department to take more pressing calls while CORE addresses issues specific to unhoused needs. At the same time, however, the Department has received concerns from downtown merchants that some of these diversions don’t resolve the immediate problems that generated the call.

Here is some data from the CORE team 70-page report which is for reporting period July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024:

Where did you lose housing? (city of Martinez data only)

  • 39.82% – City of Martinez (45)
  • 23.01% – City of Concord (26)
  • 8.85% – Other
  • 5.31% – City of Pittsburg (6)
  • 4.42% – City of Antioch (5)
  • 3.54% – City of Pleasant Hill
  • 2.65% – Alameda County (3)
  • 2.65% – City of Walnut Creek (3)
  • 1.77% – City of Brentwood (2)
  • 1.77% – City of Richmond (2)
  • 0.88% – Knightsen (1)
  • 0.88% – Marin County (1)
  • 0.88% – Port Costa (1)
  • 0.88% – San Francisco County (1)
  • 0.88% – City of San Ramon (1)
  • 0.88% – Solano County (1)

Cause of Homelessness

  • 64 – Low Income
  • 44 – Loss of Job
  • 33 – Thrown Out
  • 28 – Rent Increase
  • 27 – Substance Abuse
  • 16 – Mental Health
  • 13 – Physical Health
  • 11 – Eviction
  • 10 – Divorce
  • 9 – Domestic Violence
  • 1 – Run Away

What brought you to this city (Martinez)?

  • 39.82% – Family/Friends live here (45)
  • 37.17% – I Grew Up Here (42)
  • 14.16% – Just Passing Through (16)
  • 4.42% – My Services Are here (eg., doctor, MH, PO Box, foodbank, church) (5)
  • 2.65% – Other (3)
  • 0.88% – Client prefers not to answer (1)
  • 0.88% – Just released from local hospital (1)

If You Go
Martinez City Council Meeting
February 5 at 7:00 pm
Council Chamber, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94553; and via Zoom
Full Agenda – click here

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