ANTIOCH, Calif. (KRON) — All this 12 months we’ve been reporting on a regarding improve in violent crime in Antioch. Town with a inhabitants of simply over 100,000 has seen greater than a dozen gang-related shootings in only one neighborhood alone.
The murder fee can be growing and companies are deciding to maneuver.
Victims in lethal Antioch capturing at bowling alley parking zone recognized
Nonetheless, in a single neighborhood, a gaggle of companies is deciding to remain and be hopeful towards a future the place they and their households really feel protected once more.
There isn’t any doubt Antioch has seen its fair proportion of violent crime will increase right here. In reality, its murder fee has almost doubled this 12 months in comparison with final.
Enterprise house owners right here inform KRON4 they’re hopeful with a brand new mayor taking workplace Folks at Sycamore Sq. are getting used to a recent face.
This neighborhood, I consider, is the very best crime neighborhood locally,” stated Ron Bernal, Antioch’s new mayor.
Bernal’s important marketing campaign promise? Tackling Antioch’s skyrocketing crime charges.
KRON4 walked with the brand new mayor via Sycamore Sq., which noticed greater than a dozen gang-related shootings this fall.
Again-to-back drivebys, enterprise proprietor Jelani Stewart runs this clothes retailer and says, throughout September, he heard gunshots daily.
Bullet holes are within the roof, however the enterprise continues to be open.
In reality, there was not a single enterprise on this strip mall that didn’t have bullet holes. One girl named Neena says she’s been making an attempt to open her magnificence provide retailer since October however is delayed after a number of shootings set her again.
Because the slew of shootings, Antioch police patrol has been up. All through the day Sunday throughout our report, the sq. was quiet.
However the second police left, a number of people moved in and inside minutes had been conducting what seemed to be drug offers. They scattered as soon as the police got here again.
“It’s going to take time but a consistent presence… we will see that presence leave and go somewhere else and hopefully somewhere else than Antioch,” Bernsadfa stated.
Twister rips via Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County, 5 injured
That’s Mayor Bernal’s objective — to deliver police staffing again up. Proper now, the police division is downstaffing by greater than 25 %.
That features no everlasting police chief.
Bernal additionally desires to fund extra neighborhood applications to get youth busier — one thing Jelani can get behind.
And Antioch police hope quickly they’ll actually have a substation constructed into the procuring heart right here in one of many vacant storefronts.
It isn’t solely extra legislation enforcement persons are hoping for. New companies are deciding to speculate, corresponding to Antioch Liquor which is ready to open by Christmas.
“People are getting back to a place where they’re proud to call Antioch home,” Bernal stated.
