ANTIOCH, Calif. – Antioch police blocked off a portion of Second Street on Sunday after shooting a suspect in downtown Antioch. The man was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive. In response to downtown merchants’ complaints about crime, the city of Antioch will hire private security to patrol its public parking lots and other assets.
The City Council unanimously approved a $150,000 expenditure for this and the next fiscal year, with the money coming from the general fund. Spearhead Protection was awarded the contract. Acting City Manager Kwame Reed told the council that a small group of business owners began meeting with city staff in 2022 after experiencing criminal activities in or near downtown city parking lots. Several businesses agreed to hire security but the group also asked the city to hire officers to patrol downtown city assets.
Though Councilman Mike Barbanica didn’t provide specifics, he mentioned a “horrific crime” that occurred in a downtown city parking lot. This incident led to the decision to hire private security, as customers did not feel safe frequenting the downtown area.
However, some residents have raised concerns about not using the city’s own police force and questioned the effectiveness of private security. Others have asked about the duties of the security guards and whether they will be armed.
Overall, the decision to hire private security in response to crime complaints in downtown Antioch reflects ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. The city aims to address crime in public spaces and provide a sense of security for those enjoying the downtown area.