Acting Police Chief Tim Simmons told the police commission there was a 163% spike in shootings during the last 90 days of 2025.
Author Archives: Joel Umanzor
Joel Umanzor Richmondside's city reporter.
What I cover: I report on what happens in local government, including attending City Council meetings, analyzing the issues that are debated, shedding light on the elected officials who represent Richmond residents, and examining how legislation that is passed will impact Richmonders.
My background: I joined Richmondside in May 2024 as a reporter covering city government and public safety. Before that I was a breaking-news and general-assignment reporter for The San Francisco Standard, The Houston Chronicle and The San Francisco Chronicle. I grew up in Richmond and live locally.
Contact: joel@richmondside.org
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council refuses to put mayor’s censure on Tuesday agenda
The council majority “no” vote means it didn’t agree that the issue qualified as an emergency agenda item but it could be put on a future agenda.
Posted inPublic Safety
UPDATE: Person of interest in IHOP death shoots self at San Pablo police station
San Pablo police said the man approached officers, who couldn’t understand him, and a few minutes later he shot himself in their parking lot.
Posted inCity
Local elected officials call for censuring Richmond mayor over social media posts
Richmond City Council member Jamelia Brown said Mayor Eduardo Martinez should resign over Bondi Beach post.
Posted inPublic Safety
Contra Costa County DA not filing charges in shooting death of 20-year-old
Richmond police say Griffin Hammond of Richmond was shot and killed after he shot someone first outside a convenience store.
Posted inCity
Richmond mayor slammed for sharing Bondi Beach shooting conspiracies
Mayor Eduardo Martinez is being asked to resign over recent now-deleted LinkedIn posts. He’s also being criticized for previous public comments about Hamas-Israel politics.
Posted inPublic Safety
UPDATE: Richmond’s fifth homicide victim identified
The shooting occurred about a half mile from the Richmond BART station and near several businesses along Macdonald Avenue.
Posted inCity
Richmond city attorney is resigning
Dave Aleshire has served as the city attorney since July 2022. City council to discuss next steps at Tuesday’s meeting.
Posted inCity
Richmond police chief shuts down license plate readers after discovering data was searchable
“National search” Flock feature exposed city’s data in February so cameras have been offline for two weeks after incoming Chief Tim Simmons found out.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond homicide victim Josue Cornejo remembered as caring, quiet, happy
Police release photo of “person of interest” in Nov. 17 killing where victim was shot in back walking near his home.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD strike: Pickets to continue Friday. No formal offer made after negotiations
About 1,500 supporters gathered this morning at Veterans Memorial Park. At schools, workers formed picket lines and district officials warned against blocking entrances.
Posted inCity
Richmond will expand city services to help families impacted by WCCUSD teachers strike
The city council on Tuesday approved $50,000 in emergency funding to extend community center hours and offer more recreation programs as teachers and Teamsters prepare to picket Thursday.
Posted inCity
Update: Richmond’s incoming police chief says he expects officers to protect residents like they’re family
Richmond Police Department Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons, who’s worked in the department for 17 years, will become Richmond’s top cop in January, according to a press release.
Posted inCity
In first-ever Richmond primary election, more candidates joining races early
Four mayoral and six council hopefuls have already begun campaigning ahead of the June election — even though the filing period doesn’t open until February.
Posted inNosh
Dish of the week: Pan con pollo from Xinia’s Bakery
Panes con pavo is a Salvadoran tradition for Thanksgiving but you can get those flavors all year long in El Sobrante.
Posted inCity
Richmond police now have 24 hours after shooting someone to say what happened
City is also hiring a consultant to conduct citywide mental health assessment to improve services, address care gaps.
Posted inPublic Safety
Update: Family of Monday’s fatal shooting victim remember him as ‘humble young man’
In a GoFundMe, family members say 23-year-old Josue Cornejo was the person police said was fatally shot near Marina Way and Bissell Avenue in downtown Richmond.
Posted inCommunity
With SNAP benefits in limbo, Contra Costa to give CalFresh recipients food money
County to spend $21M on pre-loaded debit cards while visitors to a soup kitchen say they’re fasting, skipping meals and shopping at Dollar Tree to survive.
Posted inCity
‘Yes’ on Prop. 50 voters in Richmond say Trump is driving them to polls
At early in-person voting for redistricting proposition, Richmond residents weigh the country’s current divisive political landscape.
Posted inCity
‘Can I go outside?’ Richmond immigrants voice ICE fears as city launches legal aid
Community advocates increase patrols and warn against spreading ICE rumors as three nonprofits are chosen to provide legal services and emergency aid to immigrant families.
