Editorial: National Night Out Showcases Antioch Will Fight to Improve City

Last night was National Night Out across the United States where police and the community get together and build camaraderie to help make neighborhoods safer and better places to live.

At a time where the “Main Stream Media” is attacking police and questioning their every move, last night showcased the opposite is happening on the streets—at least in the City of Antioch where people showed support to officers.

Originally, I had planned to hit an event starting with Pittsburg and working my way east with stops in Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood. However, yesterday morning a comment was posted on our social media page that stated the following:

“Don’t go out after dark in Antioch.”

My immediate response in my head was why do people have to always have to talk negative about Antioch. At that point, my game plan changed. I would instead hit at least 4-events in Antioch to showcase nothing bad would happen after dark.

And guess what. Nothing bad happened after dark.

I found residents to be more than welcoming, happy, and showcasing enthusiasm of how great the City of Antioch could become while talking with neighbors about how they can make both their neighborhoods and entire city better.

My first stop was Lake Alhambra where attendees had tacos and provided a jumpy for youths. Ken Turnage stopped by and provided a brief history lesson as that was his old stomping grounds.

Martha Parsons was kind enough to introduce me to many of the neighbors who said were tired of the local violence and change was needed immediately because they love their community and do not want to move. The event had more than 50 people in attendance with folks encouraging positive change in the area.

My second stop was a home at C St. & 15^th Street where Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock stopped by.

In speaking with Sandra Kelly, she was brain storming ideas of how to make the area around D Street a better place for everyone—she realizes this takes her entire neighborhood to want to get involved. The highlight of this stop was the 25-residents or so wanted to be the change they want to see happen and were not going to let negativity get in the way.

The next stop was Matterhorn Ct. This was unfortunately the shortest stop due to a possible structure fire across town–it turned out to be a false alarm. However, this was a friendly neighborhood that was very welcoming to me. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Engine 82 was on hand interacting with youths and the neighbors were having a great time being outdoors with one another.

My final stop was Grass Valley Way off Indian Hill Dr and Pawnee Drive where Denise Cantrell put together a shotgun event because she wanted to become involved in National Night Out.

For those of you who never met Denise, a fabulous lady who simply wants to make her community better through cleanups, tree trimmings, and planting flowers prior to big city events. Last night, she wanted to achieve the goal of starting a Neighborhood Watch and was able to start her list. She genuinely wants to look out for her neighbors and community.

In a social media age, which should be considered an “A-D-D Society”, people are free to make blanket statements without consequences about how they are ready to move or the city is going downhill, city staff is this or that, but last night proved through actions many people are willing to fight for their community. Many are tired of the negative tones against the City. Many are ready to stand up to the nonsense and work with police to improve the hidden gem within the Bay Area.

Remember, there is a complete difference between writing about what happens within a city versus taking an opinion and trashing a city through ones words or social media postings.

Yes, the City of Antioch has had its challenges. Yes, the City of Antioch put out a marketing video that left some scratching their heads whether or not it was reality or not–including taking a pot shot at Save the Yard. However, the City should not get punished for putting out a video of where they wish to take the city in terms of perception. Remember, perception is reality and if everyone did their part, the City of Antioch will move towards greatness.

I would also like to point out eastcountytoday.net covers anywhere from 3-10 events each week by Antioch Police coupled with the Antioch Police Briefs. Last week, they had 83-arrests with around 30% of those arrests not even being Antioch residents.

I highly encourage you not to let 83-arrests dictate the perception of the other 113,000 Antioch residents. There is a lot more good going on in Antioch than what is being show across the media.

If you don’t like the change going on, run for city council. Run for school board, get involved in a non-profit. There are many ways to get active and involved which was proven last night.

It was a beautiful thing seeing the relationships built between neighbors, community and police officers. Great memories were created of smiling kids receiving sticker badges, but most importantly there was hope that people working together with a common goal can make a difference in the community.

Last night showcased Antioch residents are ready to stand up for their neighborhoods and fight against the riff-raff; with the right leadership in place people can be mobilized and implement real change across the city.

The success was not all the free food and laughs, but the underlying message is regardless of what is said on social media, Antioch residents are tough, resilient and still love their city. They love it so much, they are willing and ready to fight for it.

Editorial by Michael Burkholder
Publisher of eastcountytoday.net