City is also hiring a consultant to conduct citywide mental health assessment to improve services, address care gaps.
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 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
āCan I go outside?ā 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.
Posted inCity
Historic marine terminal at Richmond port needs $228 million in repairs, report says
Assessment finds World War II-era port suffers from broken beams, missing piles and severe structural damage.
Posted inCity
Unhoused, undocumented families in Richmond avoid seeking help due to fears of ICE
Local nonprofit GRIP is seeing a shift in its shelter population: For the first time, the shelter is housing a majority white population.
Posted inCity
Richmond no longer financially unstable, state says
California auditor credits city’s three-year effort to build reserves, eliminate deficits and implement budget reforms.
Posted inPublic Safety
Dos hombres murieron tras ser sedados mientras la policĆa de Richmond los sujetaba. Estas son sus historias
Un resumen de la investigaciĆ³n especial de cinco partes de Richmondside.
Posted inCity
CrĆ³nica de 3 aƱos de un reportero para esclarecer la muerte de dos hombres sometidos a sedaciĆ³n forzada
El reportero de Richmondside Joel Umanzor cuenta cĆ³mo utilizĆ³ registros pĆŗblicos y se valiĆ³ de sus relaciones personales para contar sus historias.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond police investigate death of person found near DeJean Middle School
Body found Friday at 33rd Street and Macdonald Avenue near DeJean Middle School.
Posted inCommunity
Rollingwood man finds peace on his mission to clean up creeks
Meet Your Neighbor: Salvador Valle, 46, says pulling out mattresses, electronics and other dumped junk from San Pablo Creek is reconnecting him to nature and lessening his anxiety.
Posted inNosh
Riggers Loft Winery, embroiled in legal battle with Richmond, is closing
The decade-old waterfront venue and winery says any court victory would be ātoo late to save the business.ā
Posted inCity
Richmond police told to issue statements within 24 hours of in-custody deaths
After fatal Angel MontaƱo shooting and complaints from transparency hawks, Richmond police also directed to release unedited body camera footage.
Posted inPublic Safety
Family identifies woman who died at Richmond UPS warehouse
The family of Shelma Reyna identified her as the UPS employee who was killed by what they said was a machine malfunction. She was a mother of five.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond police investigating 2nd homicide of the year
Victim, 28, was walking in Iron Triangle on Friday evening when he was shot by multiple people who got out of a car, police said.
Posted inCity
Shouting match erupts at city council meeting over police shooting death
Richmondās city council meeting was halted Tuesday as council members tried to calm heightened emotions over a recent police shooting death.
Posted inCity
Citizen panelists say solution to Richmond air pollution is simple. Shut refineries down
A pediatrician, a just transition leader and an urban forest advocate joined government officials to share personal experiences and discuss solutions.
Posted inCity
Richmond considers revamping how police release information about in-custody deaths
Policy would ban police from releasing heavily edited body camera video footage in suspect deaths or serious use-of-force injuries.
Posted inRestrained and Sedated
Tight on time? Catch up on our Restrained and Sedated series in one story
A summary of Richmondside’s 5-part series about two men who died a year apart after being restrained by Richmond police officers and sedated by paramedics.
