Mayor of Concord

BART Police Shooting - Video Evidence (updated)

Concord Blogger — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:45:10 +0000

It’s all over the news. Over New Years there was a man fatally shot at the Fruitvale BART station. No one is debating why the BART Police responded to the station. There were many reports of a fight on the train and the BART Police responded to assess the situation and separate the groups involved.

What BART didn’t count on was that in the age of technology there would be video taken of the entire incident as it unfolded.

OAKLAND — A BART police officer struggling to handcuff a 22-year-old man, stood up over the facedown Hayward resident and fired a single shot into his back while a handful of officers watched, a video taken by a train passenger apparently shows. - Mercury News

Channel 2 News has released the video that was obtained by the people still on the BART train as they watched in horror as a man was being subdued by BART Police and then shot in the back. New Years day the story was that BART video cameras were unable to record the shooting but those weren’t the only camera rolling.

When I first heard the news on New Years day that there was an officer involved shooting at BART, I leaned toward the belief that the BART Police officer must have been in the right. Police shootings are never a good thing but for the most part I believe that police officers aren’t running around shooting people like terrorists. If a man was shot, the officer must have been threatened in some way. Even being shot in the back can be justified in some cases. Maybe the victim was attacking the officer and turned just before the shot was fired. There are a number of scenarios that could have been played out but not in this case.

After I saw the video of the shooting, my thoughts changed. The man was on his stomach and there were other officers assisting in handcuffing the victim. The video clearly shows the officer standing up, drawing his weapon and moments later shooting Oscar Grant in the back.

What the hell?!? You can see the officer bring his hands to his face after shooting Oscar and I can only imagine he’s thinking ‘What the F did I just do?’. That’s what I’d be thinking. No weapons were found on the victim so there can’t be something I misssed on the video where all of a sudden Oscar had a knife or gun. It looks based on the video that the officer shot an unarmed man in the back as he was laying on the BART platform.

**UPDATE: After watching the videos (The 3 that I know of) and seeing the other BART police officers on the track, it’s obvious that some are carrying night sticks and a couple have Tasers out. If you look at a police officers duty belt, the Taser is usually on the opposite side of their firearm. Was the BART officer going to stun the victim and accidentally pulled his actual weapon? A Taser is shaped like a handgun and in the chaos of the moment, it would have felt similar in the officers hand.

As much as I would like to think I am the only one that thought this, I guess I’m not that original.

Among other things, BART police are looking into the possibility that the officer who shot Grant thought he was pulling the trigger of a Taser stun gun, according to a person familiar with the investigation.

BART officials declined to say whether the officer was carrying a Taser - a device that sends out two electrical probes and can incapacitate its target - when he shot Grant. The agency uses Tasers but does not have enough of the expensive devices to give one to every officer. - Source

BART is cooperating but has not claimed any liability in the fatal shooting. The family and their attorney, Civil rights attorney John Burris is determined to make the BART Police pay. The initial figure is that a 25 Million dollar lawsuit is going to be filed against the BART Police and the officer involved.

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Concord Soldier Dies in Iraq

Concord Blogger — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:11:05 +0000

Army Pvt. Benjamin B. Tollefson, 22, Concord, Calif., died Wednesday in Balad, of wounds suffered from indirect fire in Ghazaliya.

As of Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at least 4,221 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The ‘Peoples’ Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a statement about this soldier’s death.

Camp Anaconda is a large US base near Balad, spread over 15 square miles. As of late June 2004, the majority of the airfield’s pre-existing bunkers have been abandoned by the US military. Facility Engineer Team 21 out of Ft Devens is the Department of Public Works for the basecamp. As of September 2003 the Team was working on a Master Plan for the base, which may get as big as 20,000 soldiers. As of May 2004 the base had 17,000 troops and was 12 1/2 miles in circumference. Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command, told the House Armed Services Committee in March 2004 that “. . . we are making Balad Airfield our primary hub in the region, and the idea of doing that is because we need to have the Baghdad International Airport revert to civilian control.” - Source

Indirect fire is most commonly associated with field artillery. It is also used with mortars and naval guns against shore targets, sometimes with machine guns and has been used with tank and anti-tank guns and by anti-aircraft guns against surface targets.

I have a special place in my heart for the soldiers fighting overseas. My heart goes out to the family of Benjamin B. Tollefson in this time. Be proud that your son served as an honorable soldier.

The LA Times is running a project tracking all of the deaths of soldiers. You can search by name, home town or High School.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants to Raise Our Taxes

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Happy New Year Concord

Concord Blogger — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:35:29 +0000

People of Concord, it has been a crazy year both for the Country as well as the City. I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. Concord doesn’t drop any balls so I figured this picture of the New York ball would work. If you read this post and drop your computer at midnight it’s almost like being in the Big Apple.

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Robberies at the Sunvalley Mall

Concord Blogger — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:52:00 +0000

Between the news of murders and recent bank robberies in Concord, I wanted to share with you some news from some people in Concord that have become very aware of the criminal element at the Sun Valley mall.

Be aware I was going into Sun Valley mall and this lady chased after me to tell me that my car was getting broken into. As soon as i let my guard down she snatch my purse. They are using these tactics to take advantage of people and rob them. Please be aware of your surrounding and do not believe anyone. Even if they tell you your house is one fire.:)

Another citizen had this to add.

I was parked at the Sun Valley Mall tonight around 7pm. I had already noticed a suspicious man walking through aisles of parked cars, but proceeded to find a space anyway. While I was unloading my stroller from the trunk, the man passed by my car and then looped around (from the front end) and started back towards me. He was hidden from other people by hiding in between 2 rows of cars now. As he approached me, he began to ask me a question. I held my hands out and told him not to move any closer towards me. I got rather loud (there were other people within 50 feet so I figured they would hear me) and he became irritated that I suspected he would do me harm. I then warned him not to ever approach a woman who was by herself in a dark parking lot. He went on to tell me (using tons of profanity) that if he wanted to Fu*king Mug me or harm me he would have done it already. He also told me that he was from Concord (not sure what that is supposed to mean). He began walking away through rows of cars while still yelling at me. I put my stroller back in the trunk and left the parking lot immediately. He was still trolling around the rows of cars at that time.

I’m not sure what this guy was going to ask me or what his business was in the parking lot, but it couldn’t have been anything good. I later realized that i shouldn’t have even parked in that area, having already noticed him while looking for a space. As far as i am concerned, there is never a good reason to approach a women by herself with a baby in a dark parking lot unless you are in dire need of help. Furtheremore, he never explained what he wanted.

Ladies, please be cautious when you find yourself in a parking lot (alone) at night. Especially when with baby.

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Murder Investigation - Concord Police Press Release

Concord Blogger — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:32:57 +0000

Murder Investigation – Fry Way at Clayton Road, Concord

CONCORD, CA (December 29, 2008). The Concord Police Department continues to investigate the shooting death of Sergio Pereda, a 37 year old Concord resident who was shot shortly after 9pm on Christmas night. The shooting occurred on Fry Way between Willow Pass Road and Clayton Road after a brief verbal exchange between Pereda and the occupants of a car travelling South on Fry Way.

The suspect vehicle has been described by witnesses as being a 2000 to 2005 BMW 325 two-door or similar appearing vehicle. It is steel blue metallic in color and possibly a convertible with a black top. It may also have after market wheels described as chrome with gold center caps. A similar vehicle is pictured below.

The suspect has been described as a Hispanic, Asian or Filipino male, 20 to 25 years of age with “chubby” cheeks and dark brown eyes. He was wearing a black beanie style cap and a dark colored hooded sweat shirt at the time of the shooting. The suspect may speak Spanish but not fluently as though it is not his primary language. A sketch of the suspect is pictured above.

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to call Detective Jason Smith at 925.603.5817 or the Concord Police Investigations Division at 925.671.3030. Anonymous information can also be left on the tip line at 925.603.5836 or with Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 800.222.TIPS (8477).

All future press inquiries will be handled by Lieutenant Andrew Gartner.

Contact: Lieutenant Andrew Gartner

Concord Police Department – Investigations

1350 Galindo Street

Concord, CA 94520

(925) 603.5865

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City of Concord Closes - What’s the impact?

Concord Blogger — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:12:13 +0000

The City of Concord is shutting down over the holidays. In an attempt to save money, the City of Concord decided it was prudent to close after the new year.

“This action is being taken in light of the impact that the recession has had and will continue to have on the City budget,” said City Manager Dan Keen. “The holidays are typically the time of year when the City experiences the least demand for public services, so it makes sense to close.”

The closure is expected to save the City $300,000 to $500,000.

Offices that provide necessary services will remain open. Police patrol, dispatch operations and City inspectors will not be affected by the closure. The Concord Senior Citizens Center, Concord Community Pool, Centre Concord and Willow Pass Community Center will be open as required.

Truth is that even though these “necessary services” like the police department are open, they are scaling back. An email to me claimed that CPD is on a skeleton crew. The police department is only open for modified hours and is working with less people. Patrols are still active and if you call the police, someone will answer and be able to help.

Now with the City of Concord trying to save money, what happens if there is another murder, bank robbery or other major crime? There was a man killed in a Christmas night drive-by shooting near a popular Concord shopping center already. With less staff, on call detectives are going to be working over-time trying to work these cases. Thank you on call detectives!

I think that public safety is important and police officers sacrifice their holidays to do their jobs. Is working with less police going to help the city?

Does the City of Concord think that their savings plan is really going to hold water when all of this over-time is paid out? Maybe it will, but paying out at time and a half or double time cant help much.

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Concord Christmas Tree Recycling - Free Pickup

Concord Blogger — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:34:37 +0000

Concord disposal is picking up your Christmas trees. Unless you want to keep it in the living room for a few more week, for a limited time the Concord disposal Service will be picking up and recycling your Christmas tree.

They say they don’t want anything over 5 feet but I’m going to sneak in my 6 footer. Just leave the trees out for your next scheduled garbage day and they do the rest.

If you live in the greater Concord area and have Allied Waste Services as your garbage collection service, they have the 2009 Treecycling calendar up on their website.

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Happy Holidays Concord

Concord Blogger — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:12:11 +0000

Even the Mayor needs to spend time with the family on Christmas. I hope that all of you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend with family and friends.

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Concord Earthquake Tips #4

Concord Blogger — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:45:23 +0000

Have You Talked to Your Kids?

Years ago, after a big quake, a couple, fearing aftershocks, sent their young son to stay with his uncle in another town. A day later, they received this telegram: “Am returning your boy. Send earthquake.”

Seriously, though, we should do what we can to prepare our kids for a serious quake. Here’s a few suggestions:
1. Install bumper pads in cribs to protect babies during shaking
2. Show older kids the safest places to be in each room
3. Teach children what to do wherever they are during a quake (at school, in a tall building, outdoors)

Reach Larry Guillot, owner of QuakePrepare, a Bay area earthquake consulting, securing, and gas valve installation service, at 707-965-3299; visit QuakePrepare.com to receive QuakeTip e-mails and safety reports.

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West Contra Costa County Schools Closing - Is Mount Diablo Next?

Concord Blogger — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:47:46 +0000

West Contra Costa Costa County School District released the names of schools they are closing and/or consolidating. Understandably, parents of the kids attending these schools are outraged. But with the school district facing a multimillion dollar cut, they have little choice. (I guess)

Why is it that private companies like Ford and Chrysler are able to stand before Congress and ask for billions of our tax dollars but a school that is supposed to be looked over by the State is getting the shaft?!? Is our government that diluted to think that helping a business that has made decades of bad decisions is better for the country than making sure we raise educated kids? Maybe there is something I am missing but it sounds like common sense to me.

This got me thinking about my own backyard and if Concord and the Mount Diablo Schools District is about to announce something along the same lines. Our district is having problems too. Based on the “Approved Reductions” for the school district, our kids are in for some hurt too.

Reduce contributions to summer school. - Will only be providing remediation class as well as classes for students to make up credits.

So no more high speed kids are going to have the opportunity for continued education for a higher GPA.

Reduce 1.5 FTE staffing assigned to Mt. Diablo High School. - Mt. Diablo High has been allocated additional staffing for years to add or maintain elective or enrichment classes.

Ok. if this means getting rid of Home Economics then fine, I get it. But isn’t a second language considered elective or enrichment classes? How about Computer Science?

As far as the proposed staff cuts in your maintenance crews, you hope the heating and A/C isn’t going to break but what if it does? How much does it cost to hire a bunch of contractors when they go down vs. have a guy on staff?

As much as I hate seeing the school district being picked apart piece by piece to cut costs, I am glad that we are not in a situation where we have to close schools. So I hope this is enough to weather the storm but my gut says no.

In fact as I type this I was just alerted to the fact that California has the 3rd highest unemployment rate in the US.

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Thank you Reuters

Concord Blogger — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:06:36 +0000

Got word that one of my posts was getting some attention at Reuters so I had to look. I have been given some attention on other online newspapers in Chicago but it looks like I have moved up the food chain a bit. Back in Sept I wrote about Crime in Concord and that was picked up as well as the post for the new home of the Walnut Creek Police Dept.

How they choose their stories is a mystery to me but I am going to find out. Either way I appreciate all of the new visitors that have stopped by due to these posts in Reuters.

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