Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

OMD NewsOMD News

Crime

Incoming Antioch mayor puts emphasis on public safety



ANTIOCH — Incoming Mayor Ron Bernal is focused on addressing public safety and crime, particularly in the Sycamore corridor, which has experienced a string of gun violence.

While putting an emphasis on needs such as a permanent community-focused police chief, the re-establishment of neighborhood watch programs and other holistic approaches, Bernal, who is expected to be sworn in as the next mayor, said one of the overwhelming responses he’s received from Antioch residents is the lack of safety in the city.

The former Antioch city manager said the multiple shootings in the city — three that took place on Election Day alone — wasn’t surprising, based on how things have been handled previously.

“They don’t feel safe in Antioch, and they want something different, the residents want a different plan of attack,” said Bernal, who as of Friday’s latest election results was leading current Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe with 62.77% of the vote.

The Sycamore corridor, which has been plagued by shootings, will be Bernal’s core focus, but that can only be done with the right police chief in place and ensuring the department has enough manpower, he said.

“We need to have the right police chief that’s going to establish the culture, accountability, the transparency that’s going to attract (lateral) officers that have the community policing model (in mind)…where they want to be out there building relationships and engaging with the community,” said Bernal.

Bernal said that while Interim Antioch Police Chief Brian Addington is doing a “fine job,” it is pivotal to have a permanent police chief who is committed to community policing and building relationships with residents.

“This (new) chief is going to have to get out and develop relationships (with residents), which will develop trust in our community,” said Bernal.

He acknowledged that rebuilding trust will take time, especially in the wake of the police texting scandal and in some neighborhoods where there’s already a disconnect between residents and law enforcement.

Bernal also acknowledged that the hiring of the police chief falls under the city manager’s responsibility, but it is also the responsibility of the city council and him, as the mayor, to clearly communicate the expectations of the person needed to take over the police department.

“I want to make sure we have somebody, who possibly has dealt with the same issues in other agencies, where a department is being reconstructed so they can bring in their ideas,” he said.

Bernal said he would also like the hiring process of the police chief to be public, adding it’s important for the community to meet the individual leading the force.

Bernal is also geared up to revive neighborhood watch programs, which had around 200 groups at one point, but the numbers have dwindled over the years with less than a dozen left. Such groups will engage residents, looking out for each other and allowing the community to be partners with law enforcement in addressing crimes in their neighborhood.

The area of the city near Sycamore Drive, Mahogany Way, Peppertree Way and L Street has been a hotbed of violence. Antioch recorded 15 shootings in September alone, police said. The surge of September violence began with the killing of 21-year-old Elijah Scales, who was shot on Peppertree Way on Sept. 2.

Early last month, the Antioch City Council allocated up to $500,000 for its gun violence reduction initiative to fund long-term assistance from outside law enforcement agencies, whose officers would earn $200 an hour. Still, the city remains mum on revealing which agency or agencies it will partner with until the deal is sealed.



Source link

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Finance

There is finally an update on 4th stimulus check for Social Security Recipients! Individuals who receive Social Security benefits can expect to receive a...

Military

The attack using 14 military choppers that Russian President Vladimir Putin planned was destroyed by Ukraine using US-supplied long-range tactical missiles. Russian President Vladimir...

Finance

The Biden administration has announced recently that it plans to increase the monthly payments of seniors and veterans to $2,000. $2,000 in Monthly Payments...

Finance

In Texas, this September the SNAP payments will end, worth up to $1,691, on Friday. The household income determines eligibility. A single-person household must earn more than...