An adult and child died and another adult and child are in critical condition after a pair of house fires on Tuesday night in central Richmond
Category: Public Safety
Posted inCity
Flock’s pitch to police: Be like Richmond and Oakland
While Richmond’s city council was split on extending its Flock contract, the company handbook characterizes the city as embracing the technology.
Posted inPublic Safety
Fatal stabbing victim identified; suspect arrested
Killing of a Martinez man, 59, at a Belding Woods transitional home is the city’s fifth homicide of 2026, police said.
Posted inCity
State is monitoring 6 dry cleaner chemical contamination cases in Richmond area
While the source of the PCE found at Kennedy High hasn’t been released, there are other locations citywide being monitored by the state.
Posted inPublic Safety
If your cell phone doesn’t work during a disaster, ‘Look for the houses with an antenna’
The West Contra Costa Emergency Radio Goup, founded in 2018, has grown to include dozens of members in multiple cities who have the technology to communicate during emergencies.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD to hold public meeting about chemical found at Kennedy High
The state Department of Toxic Substances Control told WCCUSD there is “no immediate risk” from the discovery of tetrachloroethylene but further testing is needed.
Posted inPublic Safety
Teen paralyzed in 2025 Richmond shooting wanted to become a firefighter
Fifty people reported being the victims of gun violence in the last months of 2025. Here’s how one of them is fighting to recover.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond’s fight against fireworks now includes a fulltime police drone officer
Along with the extra eyes in the skies, the city and community members are educating Spanish speakers and considering tougher penalties that would hold property owners accountable.
Posted inPublic Safety
PG&E warns customers of a new scam involving QR codes
Victims, including 278 Contra Costa households, have lost more than $211,000 so far this year.
Posted inPublic Safety
Contra Costa sheriff’s deputy arrested on charges of stealing from property and evidence unit
The suspect, a 62-year-old Martinez resident, is being charged with four felonies, according to the sheriff’s department.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond homicide: Man arrested on charge of killing brother
Victor Blacknell, a relative of a well-known convicted gang member, was arrested shortly after the Tuesday night assault that left Jerome Timmons dead.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond shooting: Suspect to be arraigned in killing of maintenance worker known as ‘Papa Smurf’
Jabari Fontenot, 31, has been charged in the May 29 homicide of Melvin Murphy, 64.
Posted inPublic Safety
‘This is a test:’ With fire season here, East Richmond residents practiced an emergency evacuation
A mass drill on Saturday aimed to show how well-prepared residents and local agencies are for a potential wildfire in the Richmond hills.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond’s third homicide of year: Person arrested within hours of Friday shooting death
Flock license plate readers helped Richmond police track suspect from Richmond to Concord.
Posted inPublic Safety
Update: Person found dead in harbor killed in car crash
Car recovered from water near Canal Drive, where a body was found on Saturday.
Posted inPublic Safety
Suspect in mass shooting that left San Pablo teacher dead charged with firearms offense
Latetia Bobo, a 33-year-old San Pablo charter school teacher, and a 25-year-old man died at EZ Lounge in Oakland March 7.
Posted inPublic Safety
Police investigating suspected murder-suicide in East Richmond
Richmond police found a pair of people dead inside a home during a wellness check on Friday morning, marking the second homicide investigation in as many days.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond’s first 2026 homicide: One dead in Fairmede-Hilltop shooting
A pair of people shot at each other Thursday morning, leaving one person dead and another injured, according to Richmond police.
Posted inPublic Safety
It’s rattlesnake season. Here’s how to stay safe
Warm weather means venomous snakes are more active. Snakebites are uncommon but can be dangerous.
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.
