Ordinance also sets up a system for alerting residents when “verified” ICE activity is happening.
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 will give $99M over 10 years to support youths. It’s a big win for local nonprofits
Some city council members would like a more detailed audit of how the money, approved by voters in 2018, is being spent.
Posted inCity
Richmond’s Flock license plate readers will be turned back on through 2026
The city council voted to extend the contract after the cameras were taken offline due to concerns about potential data breaches.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond mayoral candidates go after incumbent for controversial remarks
A recent forum ahead of the June primary started off with all four of Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s challengers critiquing his performance.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond mayoral candidates clash over Flock cameras, crime, Chevron funds
Mayoral hopefuls sparred about the Chevron settlement and license plate readers during an online election forum hosted by the Marina Bay Neighborhood Council.
Posted in2026 Election
Will Richmond’s next mayor be a progressive, a moderate or a staunch conservative?
The decision voters make in June could shape the city for decades, say candidates and political observers.
Posted in2026 Election
Two Richmond Progressive Alliance members officially running for mayor
District 2 council member Cesar Zepeda will run unopposed while RPA-endorsed Claudia Jimenez and three others will try to unseat RPA-member Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Posted inCity
Richmond residents debate whether Flock license plate cameras should be back online
City council members ran out of time to discuss it while Police Chief Timothy Simmons said delaying a decision hampers their ability to solve time-critical cases, such as one involving a missing minor believed to be a sex trafficking victim.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond officers cleared for fatally shooting man in mental health crisis
Marine reservist Angel Montaño, 27, was shot and killed last August by police officers responding to a call for help from his family.
Posted inCity
Claudia Jimenez to run for mayor against RPA ally Eduardo Martinez
In a reversal, the Richmond Progressive Alliance endorsed Claudia Jimenez as the group’s mayoral candidate for the city’s 2026 primary election.
Posted inPublic Safety
Video of 2025 police shooting shows man rushed at officers after being tased
Body camera footage shows police officers pleading with Jose Mendez to surrender. He was fatally shot after coming at them with what looked like a knife.
Posted inCommunity
Celebration of life for Betty Reid Soskin set for March 1 in Oakland
The beloved national park ranger and civil rights pioneer died in December at her Richmond home. She will be honored at the Kaiser Center for the Arts.
Posted in2026 Election
Candidate filing period opens for Richmond’s June primary election
A community college student and a sitting city council member plan to run in the city’s June primary election.
Posted inCity
Richmond police cleared in death of man who was restrained and forcibly sedated
A San Francisco jury on Monday issued a verdict rejecting a claim that excessive force played a role in Concord man’s death during a 2021 encounter with Richmond officers.
Posted inPublic Safety
I-80 shooting: DOJ identifies Richmond police detective who killed man
Brandon Hodges, a 13-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, was the officer who shot and killed Luis Angel Torres Rivera last month.
Posted inPublic Safety
Son, 18, testifies he had to ‘raise himself’ after dad died in Richmond police custody
Richmond officers took the stand to defend their restraint tactics in a federal wrongful death civil trial expected to end Monday.
Posted inCity
City property could become ‘ICE-free’ this spring
Ordinance banning federal immigration enforcement on Richmond-owned property is being drafted. District 1 council member Jamelia Brown has concerns about scope.
Posted inRestrained and Sedated
Richmond police officer denies, in court, that ‘excessive’ force caused man’s death
One of the Richmond officers testifying in civil rights lawsuit breaks down in tears, insisting he only wanted to help Concord nurse Ivan Gutzalenko, who died in 2021 after being restrained and forcibly sedated.
Posted inPublic Safety
I-80 shooting: Man killed by Richmond detective identified
Luis Angel Torres Rivera, a father of two, was named by the state Department of Justice as the man who was killed on Jan. 22.
Posted inCity
Photos: Richmond swears in 21st police chief
On Thur. Jan. 29, 2026 the city swore in Timothy Simmons as its police chief. Simmons has been with the department for 17 years.
