Author Archives: Delta Sun Times

Watching Out for Crime, on Land and Water

Posted on by Standard 2

Crime Prevention Meeting 

Watching Out for Crime

(WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24)  DISCOVERY BAY ———– Discovery Bay residents turned out in large numbers to participate in a crime prevention meeting Wednesday.   Featured speakers included staff from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, and members of the P-6 Committee.   Each speaker offered important information and useful advice.

Delta Station Lieutenant Alan Johnson provided an overview of the area Delta Station serves, defining each beat (Discovery Bay/Byron is Beat 32).  Beat 32 is staffed by one Sheriff’s deputy 24 hours per day, and funding from the P-6 Committee provides for another two Resident Deputies, Crime Prevention Officer,  and a School Resource Officer.

P-6 Committee member, Bob Mankin, gave an overview of how that funding works.  Lt. Johnson shared that Discovery Bay has one of the lowest property crime rates in the county (“better than Lafayette and on par with Orinda”), and that violent crime is virtually non-existent in Discovery Bay.

Gary Madison spoke for the Marine Patrol, offering recent success stories useful  advice to residents:

- Waterfront homes should place their house number on the back of their home, so when Marine Patrol comes to serve you, they can identify your home location quickly.

- Boat owners with boat lifts should tie their boats to the dock, so criminals and weather can’t easily take your boat away when the lift is down.

- Call about problem boaters. Take a photo, try to get a CF number from the side of the boat, and if it is recurring, what day and time is it recurring?  While marine patrol may not be able to respond immediately, Madison promises they will follow up on that call.

Crime Prevention Specialist, Anthony Fontenot, offered a comprehensive presentation of crime statistics over the years…  Of the 33 residential burglaries in Discovery Bay last year, 20 of those (60%) homes were unlocked. Unlocked front doors, side garage doors, back sliding doors, and windows.  Fontenot half-joked about the criminal perspective: “What do you think the word is out there about Discovery Bay homes?  They are easy to break into, and they have nice stuff!”  Fontenot suggests residents bring that trend to an end.

A question and answer session followed the presentation and residents were able to start the ball rolling with the Sheriff providing Email Alerts when a serious crime has occurred. This will raise awareness and promote vigilance in reporting within the community.

Useful Information:

- Put this phone number in your phone right now: (925) 646-2441.  That’s the direct number to the Sheriff’s Dispatch.  If you have a suspicious person or circumstance in your neighborhood, especially solicitors, call it immediately.  The Sheriff isn’t bothered by your call, and every call is useful to them.

- Online Reporting and Tips:  http://www.cocosheriff.org  — On the bottom left side of the home page is a tab to click Online Reporting.  This is a great place to report tips and crimes and all reports are followed up on.

- Neighborhood Watch.  Crime Prevention Specialist, Anthony Fontenot wants to come to your neighborhood and speak about the Neighborhood Watch program.  Call him at Discovery Bay Station:  (925) 634-0585 or email him at afont@so.cccounty.us

Discovery Bay Hazardous Material Spill / Bonehead Boater

Posted on by Standard Respond

Fuel Spill - Photo by Nate Anderson, EBF PhotographyhazmatBONEHEAD AWARD GRAPHIC

Discovery Bay Hazardous Material Spill

(SATURDAY, APRIL 6)  —-  A hazardous material spill occurred in Discovery Bay this afternoon, at the Safeway Fuel Station (Hwy 4/Bixler Rd.).

The spill raised some eyebrows as there was a tremendous response to the incident. The result of a boat owner attempting to fuel his large fishing boat by placing the fuel nozzle into a fishing pole holder, rather than the gas tank.

Only 22 gallons were pumped when the error was discovered, but it had entered the storm drain and so Engine 159 of the East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District notified the appropriate agencies.  Fire Chief, Hugh Henderson stated the situation was ultimately mitigated by the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Team.

The HAZ-MAT team placed absorbent booms into the storm drains.  Engine 159 flushed the storm drain at the point of entry with tank water pushing the fuel into the absorbent booms.

Responders included the ECCFPD, Contra Costa Co. HAZ-MAT, Fish and Game, CHP, Sheriff’s Dept. & B/C5.

Opening Day Boat Parade, April 13

Posted on by Standard 1

boat parade map  Opening Day Boat Parade, April 13

Climb aboard for the annual Discovery Bay Yacht Club (DBYC) Opening Day Boat Parade, Saturday, April 13th. Decorated vessels will wind through Discovery Bay, delighting waterfront residents and their guests.

This year’s theme is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” Expect decorating themes honoring our armed forces, police officers, firemen, etc. If you serve in the armed forces,are a vet, firearm, police, or sheriff, parade organizers invite you to dress in uniform and be on the boats in the parade.

The parade starts at 1:00 PM in Lighthouse Bay and will wind through bays until it reaches the Discovery Bay Yacht Harbor at approximately 3:00 – 4:00 PM.

There will be three prizes in each vessel size category, plus the Commodore’s Cup. The parade is open to non-DBYC members, who will be welcome to come into the Club after the parade. The Club is closed to non-participant public.

There will also be awards for “Most Enthusiastic” and “Best Decorated” homes along the route – just let the DBYC know you are competing. Contact Linda Loveland (925) 516.7286

Non-members are welcome to decorate their boats and participate in this wonderful, Discovery Bay event. For an entry form and map of the parade route, look inside this edition of the Delta Sun Times!  www.deltasuntimes.com

America’s Cup Tickets Now On Sale

Posted on by Standard Respond

m5070_pier-27-29-from-embarcadero  m5069_marina-green-from-east 

America’s Cup Tickets Now On Sale
Tickets for the Best Seats on the Bay are now on sale at http://www.americascup.com. Individual tickets for up to 50 days of action during the Summer of Racing can be purchased starting at just $15.

“This is going to be the most accessible America’s Cup in history for spectators,” said Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “San Francisco Bay is a natural amphitheater and the America’s Cup race course takes advantage of natural contours of the Bay to create a true stadium sailing experience.

“What was often hard to see in previous editions, with racing far offshore, is going to be impossible to miss this summer, on a race course just yards off the city front,” Barclay continued. “Beginning today, fans can reserve one of the best seats on the Bay to share in the excitement.”

The 2013 America’s Cup promises to be faster and more on the edge than at any time in the event’s 162-year history.

All those who have experienced the next-generation high-speed America’s Cup race boats onboard have been profoundly impressed by the performance.

“The speed is really impressive,” said San Francisco’s mayor Ed Lee.

“It’s fast; it’s amazing,” added US Olympic sprint star Michael Johnson.

Individual and group tickets are available in the following seating locations:
• America’s Cup Village: The America’s Cup Village represents the largest, most centralized land-based viewing experience. Located in the heart of Marina Green, the grandstands offer unobstructed views of the Bay and the starting line for spectators to enjoy the racing. Fans will experience live race commentary and have access to nearby stores and exhibits. Within America’s Cup Village, fans can purchase tickets to The Deck, East Grandstands, West Grandstands, and Race Course Bleachers.
• SS Jeremiah O’Brien: Historic WWII Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien offers a “50-yard line” view of the race course. “Liberty Ship Experience” guests will witness the intense AC action up-close from the decks of this National Historic Landmark, while enjoying luxurious appointments, modern amenities and access to the finest food & beverage concessions.
• PIER 39: Complete with open bleacher seats and a lounge area with reception-style furniture, the PIER 39 Rooftop Lounge experience is the premier public spectator event for the 2013 America’s Cup. Its elevated nature offers unparalleled views of the entire race course for the America’s Cup Finals. Live race footage and commentary will be broadcast throughout the venue. Gourmet catering options, including alcohol, are included with each ticket.
• On-Water: Fans will have the opportunity to purchase individual tickets or charter an Official Stake Boat or Support Boat to view the action at a premium location on the Bay. This program includes a wide variety of vessels to accommodate all price points and capacities.

A full overview of each space, including amenities and pricing, can be found on http://www.Americascup.com/experience.

The countdown to the 2013 Summer of Racing is now underway. With an opening ceremony on July 4th, racing starts with the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, on July 7th and continues through the America’s Cup Finals in September.

Admission to both the America’s Cup Park (Piers 27/29) and the America’s Cup Village (Marina Green) is free. In addition, a limited number of bleacher seats at the America’s Cup Village are free each day on a ‘first come, first served basis’ as well as on Wednesdays during Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin and Semi Final racing.

Fans can purchase tickets to guarantee their seating and enjoy an upgraded experience for an even higher level of enjoyment.

Tickets for on-shore and on-water experiences are now available as well as hospitality options at both the America’s Cup Park and the America’s Cup Village. See AmericasCup.com/experience for more information.

Time to Board the Buses – Save the Delta!

Posted on by Standard 2

bus Time to Board the Buses!

STCDA President, Jan McCleery announced today that it is time to “board the buses.”

“At the Discovery Bay Town Hall Meeting held in February, many people said they wanted to “get on the buses” to show Sacramento what we think about their “Big Dumb Canal Plan” (aka BDCP),” said McCleery, “so, let’s do it at the next BDCP Public Meeting.”

WHEN:  April 4th, 1:30 PM, Sacramento.  1:30-4:30 pm at the Red Lion Woodlake Conference Center, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento. (Confirm meeting details and view agenda at the BDCP Website).
HOW:  STCDA (Save the California Delta Alliance) will organize car pools and look into getting buses.  STCDA will be sending out more information soon and wants you to “Save the Date”.

How about signs? McCleery says: “Let’s make signs like “STOP THE TUNNELS RECALL BROWN”, “Big Dumb Concrete Pipes”, “SAVE THE DELTA STOP THE TUNNELS”. We’ll be bringing some signs for people but anyone creative that wants to make their own, that would be great.”

Please contact Jan McCleery if (1) you could drive in car pools and (2) you can attend. STCDA will start getting a headcount.  Email: janmccleery@yahoo.com

For more information, visit:  http://nodeltagates.com/2013/03/24/time-to-board-the-buses/