Pittsburg Council Sets the Record Straight on City's Safety

Councilmembers in Pittsburg are upset about a website's claims. This website, created by a group against a councilmember running for a different job, says Pittsburg has a high crime rate and no big grocery stores. The councilmembers say these claims are just not true. They think these false claims could scare people away from moving to or starting businesses in Pittsburg. The website was made by a group supporting another candidate, Antioch Councilmember Mike Barbanica. But the Pittsburg councilmembers say they haven't discussed Pittsburg's safety problems in their campaign. They think the website's claims are unfair and hurtful to the community. The councilmembers want people to know the truth. They say Pittsburg has three grocery stores and a fourth one is opening soon. They also say the crime rates have been going down since 2020. In 2023, the violent crime rate was 4. 70 per 1, 000 residents, which is similar to nearby cities. The president of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association defends the website's claims. He thinks the crime in Pittsburg is going in the wrong direction and voters should be concerned. But the Pittsburg councilmembers keep saying the truth is different from what the website is claiming.