The Antioch Police Officer’s Association would like to take a moment and address concerns regarding crime and the hiring of additional police officers. We are extremely pleased to see the citizens have raised their voices regarding these issues. We appreciate the support we as police officers have received from both the community and our city council. It is grass root efforts that will make this city come together and reduce the crime in our community.
The APOA has had recent meetings with Mayor Harper and other council members in an effort to establish goals and continue to bring more officers to the fight. In the last year, we have made great strides in both hiring of new officers and lowering crime with directed patrol efforts and we are seeing a difference. We believe Mayor Harper and the council are dedicated to giving the Antioch Police Department the resources it needs to reduce crime.
The Antioch Police Department Administration along with the Human Resources Department have been working diligently to conduct interviews and hire the most qualified applicants for the available positions. It is imperative to understand that this is a very long tedious process but crucial to find the best officers. We the APOA want everyone to understand, the crime problem within our community, did not occur over night. The economic downturn, prison release programs, and poorly written propositions are all part of the equation. There is no one person to blame for the crime in our community and this includes Mayor Harper.
The APOA would like to ask the community to come together and use this grass roots momentum to reduce crime. There are several steps you can take which will greatly affect our efforts.
If you see suspicious activity or a crime in progress please call. You can remain anonymous but please remember you are our best witness. Become part of your neighborhood watch program, this will have a direct effect right in your own backyard. Volunteer within the community for events such as neighborhood clean up or become one of our many volunteers in Police Services.
In closing, the APOA feels that we do have the support of the Mayor and council as well as our community. We can see a light at the end of the tunnel and with your help can make great strides in solving this problem.
Thank you,
President;
William Dee
17 comments
This all started when you guys built a high school which you couldn’t fill. Yes the town did need another school, but someone’s great idea of bussing intercity kids to fill it was the downfall of a city I’ve lived all my 50 years in. So yes blame the city of Antioch for again poor management….
Bussing kids in has been folk lore for more years than you can count. I have lived here since 1965 and it never happened. The CITY does not control the school district so don’t blame the city for something it didn’t do. The school district didn’t do any bussing either. We have poor management in this city right now that is for sure. You got one thing right.
The city is 100% to blame. People aren’t stupid the prison release is a new problem but the city of Antioch made it possible years ago for those people to be released to Antioch by providing an abundance of low income housing…… 100% City of Antioch fault
Does the POA take the community for fools? I support our police but this was just a ridiculous letter.
Antioch has not been business friendly = less sales tax revenue. They have expanded more home development than commercial development = less sales tax revenue. The City has failed to create programs to get youths involved in positive things. Antioch encouraged low-income housing development which resulted in less money to spend in the city = less sales tax revenue
Lets not forget, James Davis, Don Freitas, Mary Rocha and others who voted to reduce police services and put Antioch where it is today. To say its not anyone person is correct, but the City has a whole has failed its residents. Wade Harper has not helped the situation.
Sorry Antioch POA but Mayor Wade Harper is part of the problem. Antioch needs strong leadership, not the class clown.
Good comments reality check. However, Don Freitas gave us the largest police force we ever had. James Davis and Wade Harper took it all away.
Get rid of section 8 housing
100% agree with your statement. Antioch is way too welcoming to Section 8 housing people and they bring their troubled past with them as well as litter the surrounding neighborhoods with garbage.
Property values are pretty low because who in the world is going to want to live in a neighborhood that looks like a junkyard.
Get rid of Harper……
The only way to reasonably address this open letter is with facts, something of which is sorely lacking. Each statement made in the original open letter, where warranted, I have a commented:
“The APOA has had recent meetings with Mayor Harper and other council members in an effort to establish goals”
FACT: Since Mayor Harper and the council previously had numerous goals, my sincerest hope is that these new goals will come to fruition. It has been a fact that Mayor Harper and the rest of the council can’t be trusted to follow-up on goals and promises. My question is simple, what are those goals and will the council follow-up now that there is an intense scrutiny on actions being taken?
“continue to bring more officers to the fight”
FACT: The end of 2010, the APD staffing was 98, as of 03/13/2015, it is 87 (minus 7 on medical). That’s an 11% reduction – not increase. There has been no net gain. Harper promised an immediate hiring of 22 sworn officers to sell Measure C. That has never happened. He also promised to hire more officers in 2012. Another promise unfilled.
“In the last year, we have made great strides in both hiring of new officers”
FACT: In the last year, from 86 on March 28, 2013 to the current 87 on March 13, 2015, there has been an increase of 1 officer. Those numbers do not include a reduction for medical leave. An increase of 1 is not a great stride in anybody’s book, especially when compared to the fact were not even close to the 98 of 2010. Currently, of the 87 personnel, 7 are out on medical. That is 80 potential sets of boots on the street, 18 less than the 98 total in 2010.
“lowering crime with directed patrol efforts and we are seeing a difference”
FACT: Yes, given the last year only, violent crime has gone down. However, compare year end 2010 with year-end 2014 and tell me how Harper’s “under his leadership” promise of being tough on crime and zero tolerance has worked out. How about a 27% increase in overall crime. How about a 35% increase in property crimes. Property crimes affect people too!
FACT: Since 2010, when Harper started on the council and making his promises, 50 people in Antioch have died. Those are crime and violent facts people need to remember. Those are the people whose families are wondering where the “zero tolerance” and “tough on crime went”. That also doesn’t include the countless hundreds of intended casualties that turned out to be victims.
“We believe Mayor Harper and the council are dedicated to giving the Antioch Police Department the resources it needs to reduce crime”
FACT: Since Mayor Harper is adamant about taking responsibility and boasting “under his leadership” successes and abilities, can you honestly believe he or the council (which he has been part of since 2010) has been dedicated to giving the APD resources? Certainly not in a timely manner, if at all. Had Harper started when he said he would in 2010, resources could have been acquired then, not 3 years later.
“The Antioch Police Department Administration along with the Human Resources Department have been working diligently to conduct interviews and hire the most qualified applicants for the available positions. It is imperative to understand that this is a very long tedious process but crucial to find the best officers”
FACT: This is true and something that has been known for decades, so why not start hiring when you know you need to, not 3 years later! And Human Resources even states every month, “The City is conducting continuous recruiting in an effort to fill the vacant sworn Police Officer positions authorized in the budget. These efforts have been in place since October 2012, and continue through today.” Does this sound like the Mayor or the council had been dedicated to giving the APD resources? Crime and violence is not new to Antioch and it should have been the #1 priority. It should have started in 2010, basically not the beginning of 2013. The reality is that none of these efforts started until I stood in front of the Mayor and council to advise them that our group was starting a recall. If you doubt that statement go back and view the prior council meetings. The lack of crime and violence being a priority had not been there.
“We the APOA want everyone to understand, the crime problem within our community, did not occur over night”
FACT: This is another “duh” statement. Harper ran on the crime and violence platforms in 2010 and 2012 and the APOA did not endorse him. I would agree that crime and violence not only existed then, I would agree that you did not have the faith in him either until you needed something.
“The economic downturn”
FACT: The economic downturn started in 2007 and was over in 2009. The City of Antioch paid out certainly had the funds in 2010, even though they were not forthright about it and claimed they didn’t have any money, more falsehoods.
The City of Antioch paid, in overtime only, not benefits, base pay, etc.:
$1,130,000 in overtime only to police in 2011,
$1,485,000 in overtime only to police in 2012,
$2,119,000 in overtime only to police in 2013.
Certainly, the City of Antioch had the monetary resources to pay out over $4.734 MILLION in overtime and some of that could have easily been used for hiring additional sworn officers and/or code enforcement, etc. Instead, the citizens were lied to about Measure C and Measure O. Another falsehood. The council’s priorities and spending went to feral cat starvation techniques and force feeding condos down the throats of citizens, while crime and violence continued to climb.
“prison release programs”
FACT: What? The FACT is that Contra Costa County went decades without releasing a single inmate early, but had to start doing so in 2013. “We still have capacity for misdemeanors, DUI,” said
Undersheriff Mike Casten. Why pray tell are you blaming the crime of non-existent criminals. Put those numbers out there where everyone can see them.
“There is no one person to blame for the crime in our community and this includes Mayor Harper.”
FACT: If a person, via campaign promises, writes his/her own job description they have to live with it. You are correct, not one person is to blame. However, when that one person takes ownership and
claims victories “under his leadership” it is all inclusive of not only himself but all he influences – including the council of which he has been a part of since 2010.
FACT: When Harper made operational changes regarding the council and the agenda, then he is responsible for what he claims – “under his leadership”.
FACT: When that very council withheld information to the public of a tremendous series of three payments from the collection of property taxes for a period exceeding 6 months, ergo delaying the
conversion back to “a full-service city” over 9 months, delaying bringing personnel back to full-time, delayed the citizens the right of access to full service – that is hardly anything other than being
dishonest and self-serving. An grand jury investigation needs to be commissioned to find out how and why information was purposely withheld prior to an election which very well could have a reverse effect on the passage of Measure O.
“The APOA would like to ask the community to come together and use this grass roots momentum to reduce crime. There are several steps you can take which will greatly affect our efforts.”
FACT: The fact is there are literally tens of thousands of hours annually, per Chief Cantando, that this community does in support of the City of Antioch, the Antioch Police Department and it’s various programs. This is done out of the goodness in our hearts and desire to have a community that we can feel safe in and be proud of.
“If you see suspicious activity or a crime in progress please call. You can remain anonymous but please remember you are our best witness. Become part of your neighborhood watch program, this will have a direct effect right in your own backyard. Volunteer within the community for events such as neighborhood clean up or become one of our many volunteers in Police Services.”
FACT: Unless I misunderstood what the Chief has recently stated, literally tens of thousands of hours are volunteered annually in support of the APD. In addition, the city is the recipient of the efforts of thousands of individuals, volunteering annually even tens of thousands more. This again is done as volunteer work. People volunteer because they want to and people are doing just that. We all are taxpaying citizens and would like to get a little bang for out buck. When needed we rise to the occasion.
“In closing, the APOA feels that we do have the support of the Mayor and as well as our community.”
FACT: If you truly believe that you have the support of the Mayor and the council, I can only surmise that you are wanting something again. The old adage about the village idiots, etc. seems to be appropriate. The facts speak for themselves. We the people support the City of Antioch and associated services/departments. What you are feeding us is garbage, you know it, we know it, don’t try to pull the wool over our eyes.
The leaders of Antioch have shown time after time after time that they can not prioritize, they are self-serving and can’t be trusted. How is it possible you can display your trust when you knowingly are as unbelievable.
The citizens of Antioch are well aware of the relationship between yourselves and the “leaders” of this community. We know who you did or did not endorse/support with each election and why. When you want something or have something to barter, you lobby. Other than that, your silence is deafening – and appreciated.
The only way to reasonably address this open letter is with facts, something of which is sorely lacking. Each statement made in the original open letter, where warranted, I have a commented:
“The APOA has had recent meetings with Mayor Harper and other council
members in an effort to
establish goals”
FACT: Since Mayor Harper and the council previously had numerous goals, my sincerest hope is that these new goals will come to fruition. It has been a fact that Mayor Harper and the rest of the council can’t be trusted to follow-up on goals and promises. My question is simple, what are those goals and will the council follow-up now that there is an intense scrutiny on actions being taken?
“continue to bring more officers to the fight”
FACT: The end of 2010, the APD staffing was 98, as of 03/13/2015, it is 87 (minus 7 on medical). That’s an 11% reduction – not increase. There has been no net gain. Harper promised an immediate hiring of 22 sworn officers to sell Measure C. That has never happened. He also promised to hire more officers in 2012. Another promise unfilled.
“In the last year, we have made great strides in both hiring of new officers”
FACT: In the last year, from 86 on March 28, 2013 to the current 87 on March 13, 2015, there has been an increase of 1 officer. Those numbers do not include a reduction for medical leave. An increase of 1 is not a great stride in anybody’s book, especially when compared to the fact were not even close to the 98 of 2010. Currently, of the 87 personnel, 7 are out on medical. That is 80 potential sets of boots on the street, 18 less than the 98 total in 2010.
“lowering crime with directed patrol efforts and we are seeing a difference”
FACT: Yes, given the last year only, violent crime has gone down. However, compare year end 2010 with year-end 2014 and tell me how Harper’s “under his leadership” promise of being tough on crime and zero tolerance has worked out. How about a 27% increase in overall crime. How about a 35% increase in property crimes. Property crimes affect people too!
FACT: Since 2010, when Harper started on the council and making his
promises, 50 people in Antioch have died. Those are crime and violent facts people need to remember. Those are the people whose families are
wondering where the “zero tolerance” and “tough on crime went”. That also doesn’t include the countless hundreds of intended casualties that turned out to be victims.
“We believe Mayor Harper and the council are dedicated to giving the
Antioch Police Department the resources it needs to reduce crime”
FACT: Since Mayor Harper is adamant about taking responsibility and
boasting “under his leadership” successes and abilities, can you honestly
believe he or the council (which he has been part of since 2010) has been
dedicated to giving the APD resources? Certainly not in a timely manner, if at all. Had Harper started when he said he would in 2010, resources could have been acquired then, not 3 years later.
“The Antioch Police Department Administration along with the Human
Resources Department have been working diligently to conduct interviews
and hire the most qualified applicants for the available positions. It is
imperative to understand that this is a very long tedious process but crucial to find the best officers”
FACT: This is true and something that has been known for decades, so why not start hiring when you know you need to, not 3 years later! And Human Resources even states every month, “The City is conducting continuous recruiting in an effort to fill the vacant sworn Police Officer positions authorized in the budget. These efforts have been in place since October 2012, and continue through today.” Does this sound like the Mayor or the council had been dedicated to giving the APD resources? Crime and violence is not new to Antioch and it should have been the #1 priority. It should have started in 2010, basically not the beginning of 2013. The reality is that none of these efforts started until I stood in front of the Mayor and council to advise them that our group was starting a recall. If you doubt that statement go back and view the prior council meetings. The lack of crime and violence being a priority had not been there.
“We the APOA want everyone to understand, the crime problem within our
community, did not occur over night”
FACT: This is another “duh” statement. Harper ran on the crime and violence platforms in 2010 and 2012 and the APOA did not endorse him. I would agree that crime and violence not only existed then, I would agree that you did not have the faith in him either until you needed something.
“The economic downturn”
FACT: The economic downturn started in 2007 and was over in 2009. The
City of Antioch paid out certainly had the funds in 2010, even though they
were not forthright about it and claimed they didn’t have any money, more
falsehoods.
The City of Antioch paid, in overtime only, not benefits, base pay, etc.:
$1,130,000 in overtime only to police in 2011,
$1,485,000 in overtime only to police in 2012,
$2,119,000 in overtime only to police in 2013.
Certainly, the City of Antioch had the monetary resources to pay out over
$4.734 MILLION in overtime and some of that could have easily been used
for hiring additional sworn officers and/or code enforcement, etc. Instead, the citizens were lied to about Measure C and Measure O. Another falsehood. The council’s priorities and spending went to feral cat starvation techniques and force feeding condos down the throats of citizens, while crime and violence continued to climb.
“prison release programs”
FACT: What? The FACT is that Contra Costa County went decades without releasing a single inmate early, but had to start doing so in 2013. “We still have capacity for misdemeanors, DUI,” said Undersheriff Mike Casten. Why pray tell are you blaming the crime of non-existent criminals. Put those numbers out there where everyone can see them.
“There is no one person to blame for the crime in our community and this
includes Mayor Harper.”
FACT: If a person, via campaign promises, writes his/her own job description they have to live with it. You are correct, not one person is to blame. However, when that one person takes ownership and claims victories “under his leadership” it is all inclusive of not only himself but all he influences – including the council of which he has been a part of since 2010.
FACT: When Harper made operational changes regarding the council and the agenda, then he is responsible for what he claims – “under his leadership”.
FACT: When that very council withheld information to the public of a
tremendous series of three payments from the collection of property taxes for a period exceeding 6 months, ergo delaying the conversion back to “a full-service city” over 9 months, delaying bringing personnel back to full-time, delayed the citizens the right of access to full service – that is hardly anything other than being dishonest and self-serving. An grand jury investigation needs to be commissioned to find out how and why information was purposely withheld prior to an election which very well could have a reverse effect on the passage of Measure O.
“The APOA would like to ask the community to come together and use this grass roots momentum to reduce crime. There are several steps you can take which will greatly affect our efforts.”
FACT: The fact is there are literally tens of thousands of hours annually, per Chief Cantando, that this community does in support of the City of Antioch, the Antioch Police Department and it’s various programs. This is done out of the goodness in our hearts and desire to have a community that we can feel safe in and be proud of.”If you see suspicious activity or a crime in progress please call. You can remain anonymous but please remember you are our best witness. Become part of your neighborhood watch program, this will have a direct effect right in your own backyard. Volunteer within the community for events such as neighborhood clean up or become one of our many volunteers in Police Services.”
FACT: Unless I misunderstood what the Chief has recently stated, literally tens of thousands of hours are volunteered annually in support of the APD. In addition, the city is the recipient of the efforts of thousands of individuals, volunteering annually even tens of thousands more. This again is done as volunteer work. People volunteer because they want to and people are doing just that. We all are taxpaying citizens and would like to get a little bang for out buck. When needed we rise to the occasion.
“In closing, the APOA feels that we do have the support of the Mayor and as well as our community.”
FACT: If you truly believe that you have the support of the Mayor and the
council, I can only surmise that you are wanting something again. The old
adage about the village idiots, etc. seems to be appropriate. The facts speak for themselves. We the people support the City of Antioch and associated services/departments. What you are feeding us is garbage, you know it, we know it, don’t try to pull the wool over our eyes.
The leaders of Antioch have shown time after time after time that they can not prioritize, they are self-serving and can’t be trusted. How is it possible you can display your trust when you knowingly are as unbelievable.
The citizens of Antioch are well aware of the relationship between yourselves and the “leaders” of this community. We know who you did or did not endorse/support with each election and why. When you want something or have something to barter, you lobby. Other than that, your silence is deafening – and appreciated
Must be time for contract negotiations.
More officers have retired perhaps more than anticipated but this hiring frenzy should have started years ago knowing the officers were of an age to retire.
In this city, it seems, contract negotiations are a constant but the negotiators for the citizens sell us out each and every time. It is wrong such a large percentage of the income for this city is paid out due to previous contract negotiations.
BLABIDY BLA BLA BLA!!! dO NOT TRUST ANYONE WHO MAKES THE RULES OR LAWS IN THIS TOWN…..WE INVITE CRIME….WE GOT TOO BIG RO OUR BRITCHES…WASTED TAX DOLLARS TRYING TO STOP WALMART EXPANSION…STILL HAPPENED AND MY HUSBAND LOST HIS 20 YEAR CAREER WITH THE PD BECAUSE THE CITY MANAGER WAS AN IDIOT….there will never be enough GOOD cops to turn this around in my life time….zero faith!!Shannon Ming
Just a question Shannon? Who are you blabidy bla bla bla IN. The APOA? Or the city government?
This is nothing more than a PR piece for Harper to trump up his image. Count how many times they mention his name in an awkward attempt to distance himself from any RESPONSIBILITY. Next they will be donating to his re-election campaign. It’s very transparent.
He is running for his political life. Don’t be fooled.
He is definitely running for his political life. He wants to take Piepho’s supervisor seat so bad he will continue to ruin this city to get it. Should he get it don’t expect any good to come of Contra Costa County, specially the East County
He wouldn’t stand a chance at a supervisor’s seat , especially Piephos. That lady knows how to campaign. I don’t think she has ever come close to losing an election. Harper can’t possibly be that stupid.
Comments are closed.