Rash Of Violence In Antioch Puts Strain On Police Force
ANTIOCH (KCBS) _ A recent wave of violence in the city of Antioch has taken a toll on the police department, which is currently understaffed, and things remain gloomy for next year.
There were two homicides and two other shootings in the span of 24 hours earlier this week. The department is already down to about 94 officers and Lieutenant Leonard Orman said most of the men and women in blue are already putting in extremely long hours.
"What we've really had to do is just prioritize what we're doing, even when we don't have tough weeks like the one we are having," said Orman. "Some cases we're just not going to be able to investigate."
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
Some outside law enforcement agencies have already stepped up and lent a hand.
Antioch City Council Member Mary Rocha said she and her peers have come up with a new budget-cutting plan that could mean even more reductions within the force.
"We agreed to go 71-29. 71 personnel, 29 programs. We're not in a nice place," she said.
Rocha said the council has to chop $750,000 from the budget by June. Voters rejected a half-cent sales tax measure last month that would have put the city back on firm financial ground.
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