Safety
Long-standing rifts between the Office of Neighborhood Safety and its critics have broken open following a fight last week involving youth from rival neighborhoods who had gathered inside City Hall.
DeVone Boggan, director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, called 25 young men known as some of the most violent or at-risk youth in Richmond into the City Manager’s office in City Hall more than a year ago. He wanted to show them the fantastic view of the Bay Area and to make them an offer—he would take them on as ONS fellows if they were willing to take a chance on a new life. Almost all of them said…
The gunshot detection and location system is an invaluable investigative and response tool, police leaders say, but it has not been credited with nabbing any homicide suspects. Still, reduced costs and technological advances mean that the system is likely to be a long-term feature in Richmond.
The red-tagged building in the Iron Triangle that housed the “Bee Hive” — an illegal, underground club busted in mid-September — is now hanging in the balance as the property owner scrambles to make repairs. The owner of 512 MacDonald Ave., located across from the Nevin Center, agreed to make the changes required by code enforcement and the city attorney. But the initial deadline has come and gone due to problems obtaining a contractor. “The owner has been cooperating 100…
For almost 20 years, Ized Stewart has lived outside on the corner of 24th Street and Barrett Avenue. He’s a familiar presence, known to a generation of locals for surrounding himself with mounds of bags containing anything from garbage to stuffed animals. He’s often seen feeding the local birds, reading the newspaper or listening to his small radio. Some know him as George, some simply as “the bag man.” No one is quite sure how he ended up homeless in…
The ominous gray clouds creeping over the hills and dampness blanketing the city tell Sgt. Eddie Russell it’s going to be a slow day. “Rain usually keeps them off the street,” he says from behind the wheel of his cruiser But less than half an hour into his Tuesday morning patrol, Russell spots what appears to be two teenaged boys strolling down the sidewalk of a residential neighborhood. At first glance, they don’t seem to be breaking any laws –…
On Aug. 8, Pedro Gutierrez was driving to his job as a carpenter in his black 1992 Ford Mustang. He turned off Cutting Boulevard just a block away from his work when he spotted a police car flip a U-turn to follow him. Gutierrez, an undocumented resident, saw blue and red lights behind him and realized that he was being pulled over. He steered his car to the side of the road. The police officer parked behind him, then walked…
Nearly a week after a car fatally struck a wheelchair user in the North and East neighborhood, police are still pursuing leads.
David Cox, 52, was struck Sept. 23 around 6 p.m., Richmond Police Capt. Mark Gagan said.
North Richmond is no stranger to conflict, but this is a strange conflict for North Richmond. The small community, which straddles the boundary separating the city of Richmond and unincorporated Contra Costa County, has become the site of an acrimonious power struggle between ambitious community leaders.