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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 25
City’s violent crime drops sharply by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
So far this year, Antioch has experienced a substantial drop in violent crime compared to last year, a change for which the city’s acting police chief gave credit to alert residents. Acting Police Chief Allan Cantando feels that the overall 19.1 percent drop in violent crime so far this year, in comparison to January through May of 2010, can largely be attributed to a more vigilant and aware public. He noted there has been increased participation in programs such as Neighborhood Watch bolstered by an overall upsurge in residents calling in suspicious activity. According to Cantando, attendance at Neighborhood Watch and the department’s crime-prevention meetings has grown. Last weekend, the department held a Coffee with the Cops event, inviting residents to meet the men and women in uniform, and about 75
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Antioch Crime Prevention Commissioner Hans Ho tells participants of a Take Back Antioch forum earlier this year how they can play an active role in fighting crime. Acting Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando credited public awareness with a drop in violent crime this year. people showed up. “People are the eyes of the community now,” Antioch City Councilwoman Mary Rocha said. “I know we’ve had volunteers that have seen crime going on and
called it in.” From January through May of last year, 367 violent crimes were reported by the Antioch Police Department. Through May of 2011, 70 fewer violent crimes, such as
homicide, rape and aggravated assault, have been reported. Cantando also credited simple luck that some of the bullets fired in Antioch this year haven’t hit people, turning potential homicides into mere “attempted” homicides. One of the sharpest declines has been in theft. From January through May of 2010, 479 incidences of theft were reported; so far this year, the number is down to 396. Juvenile arrests are down 24.9 percent while adult arrests have seen a 6-percent drop. Property crime has also taken a decline, to 5.4 percent. Overall, “part-one” (violent and property) crime from January through May has seen an 8.3 reduction compared to that time frame in 2010. The only category showing an increase has been burglary, which is up 9.5 percent. “I really equate it to citizens getting involved and calling us,” Cantando said. “We’re getting
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June 24, 2011
Primed for the big day
Let our Wedding Planner help you sweat the details right now so you can relax on your wedding day. Page 1B
Conciliatory development The city and a housing developer have agreed to not sue each other over disputed construction. Page 3A
Crucible of competition
see Crime page 17A
‘No shot, no school’ deadline looms by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Of all the items parents need to put on their child’s back-to-school checklist this year, the pertussis vaccine should be at the top. As of July 1, California law requires all students entering seventh through 12th grades to be immunized with the whooping cough booster vaccine. And local school districts and health affiliates throughout East County are continuing to reach out to the school community, emphasizing the now wellknown slogan: No Shot, No School. “We’ve been sending out weekly reminders to our families,” said John Saylor, director of special services with the Liberty Union High School District. “And for us, that is 7,200 students. I would have to say that in general our families have been very good at getting it done. We still have a way to go, but things are beginning to trickle in.” Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial illness spread through coughs and
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sneezes and characterized by severe, lingering coughs. In 2010, 10 infants died from the malady – the highest number since 1950 – and thousands more became ill, prompting state health officials to declare a pertussis epidemic in California. The pertussis – or DTaP vaccine – consists of four inoculations. The first three doses are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and again at 4 to 6 years of age. However, immunity wears off over time and the danger lies in adults and older children spreading the illness to infants too young to receive the vaccine. East County’s local school districts have been working for months to inform the public about the new law, emphasizing that without proof of inoculation, students will not be allowed to attend school. But as thousands of students have yet to be inoculated, and most schools open their doors on Aug. 1, the looming deadline is daunting. “Approximately 80 percent of our children
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East County baseball and softball teams did us proud in the recent Tournament of Champions. Page 21A
have yet to provide proof of their pertussis vaccine, so we have a bit to go,” said Jan Steed, director of student services for the Brentwood Union School District. “But we have it (information) plastered everywhere, and Kaiser has been sending home letters notifying families, so we’re doing everything we can.”
Celeb central
go to news/WebExtras! An upcoming golf tourney in Tahoe promises the ultimate in VIP sightings.
see Deadline page 17A
Vets get boost
go to news/press releases A new bill before Congress would help veterans get access to good jobs.
Business ............................... 4A Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 17B Cop Logs ............................11A Entertainment ................. 13B Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty ..............18A Milestones ........................ 22B Opinion ..............................10A Sports .................................21A Wedding Planner .............. 1B ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Green thumbs
go to multimedia/videos Brentwood was beautified as part of Mormon Helping Hands Day.