ANTIOCH — After almost two years, Antioch is set to explore the possibility of having a police substation at the Sycamore Square shopping center to help beef up security and double as a community space for residents.
The shopping center, which is part of the notorious Sycamore corridor, has experienced its fair share of gun violence. On Nov. 11, a 23-year-old man was shot and wounded inside Sycamore Square, where police found him.
The areas of the city near Sycamore Drive, Mahogany Way, Peppertree Way, and L Street have been plagued with violence over the past three months. Antioch recorded 15 shootings in September alone, police said. The surge began with the killing of 21-year-old Elijah Scales, who was shot on Peppertree Way on Sept. 2.
At the Antioch City Council meeting on Tuesday night, councilmembers directed staff to look for a potential space to lease for the substation.
Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker believes that the city should invest in the potential space at Sycamore Square to attract visibility and investment. She clarified that a police substation is not similar to a mini police station with an officer in place around the clock, but it creates a space for law enforcement to be present in the area.
“I worked out of a substation in Richmond because they allowed their substation to double as a community space to be used by nonprofits, so a substation could be a lot of things to a community. It could bring a sense of safety and a community space,” said Torres-Walker.
She hoped that the discussion of having a substation would be realistic and not merely “lip service,” adding that there needs to be a commitment from the city council to do something for a community that has been underserved for more than three decades.
“This will be a good start, in addition to everything we’ve already done to try to prevent violence in that community,” said Torres-Walker.
Outgoing Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said the city had explored the idea of a substation two years ago but had to put it on the back burner due to the police department’s text scandal and widespread misconduct investigation.
Resident and Antioch Police Oversight Commission member Leslie May hoped that the Commission’s community engagement committee would be able to use the space.
“That’s what we are supposed to be doing, working with the Antioch Police Department, doing community engagement. So if we could be part of it, I think it’s a good idea,” said May during public comment on Tuesday.
Resident Ralph Hernandez said he did not see the viability of the substation because Contra Loma Estates security patrols the neighborhood, yet the violence in the area persists.
“It’s an illusion to have a facility that is going to create some kind of security of safety for the community,” said Hernandez.
Another resident identified as Smith, who said she was born and raised in Antioch, said she feels safer with patrol officers at Sycamore Square and disagreed with the idea that a substation is an “illusion.”
“I hope we can manage to put a substation in there. I do believe it’s the answer. Sycamore has always been bad. It’s always had issues, but it’s never been this bad. So, when I have to start dodging bullets in my neighborhood, you know I’m concerned,” said Smith.
Another resident, Andrew Becker, suggested the city be more ambitious and bold by applying for federal grants for electric vehicle charging stations along the corridor. Becker said charging stations would help businesses and keep the area more active with legitimate activity.
“At night, you create a presence with people that are coming to charge their vehicles, they’re not coming for mischief or mayhem. It’s an opportunity to revitalize a property while still looking at police presence,” he said.
Torres-Walker said she still believes in community-based solutions, adding that Antioch has always resorted to relying on a police presence and response without a proper deep dive into the root causes of why violence happens in the community.
She said it’s important to have an outcome that’s best for everyone in the community, and if that means having a police substation that also doubles as a space for community-based organizations to use, then it should be looked into.
“What I would like is for the city manager and a police chief to meet with the owner of Sycamore Square and look at a space and think through potential costs and sustainability options. That’s what I would like to do,” Torres-Walker said.