ROCK, founded in 2021 as an alternative to sending police, has answered an average of 119 calls a month since March — just a fraction of the total.
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 considers switching from Flock to a different surveillance firm
The city council on Tuesday will also consider banning data centers, of which there are none in Richmond, and will discuss the $550 million Chevron settlement.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond woman charged with attempted murder of 8 police officers during mental health crisis call
The suspect, who police say injured one officer, is expected to be arraigned this afternoon.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond arson suspect pleads innocent in deaths of four family members
Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega made an appearance in Superior Court on Tue., Sept. 8, 2026 on four counts of murder-arson.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond mayoral election: Finalists discuss top issues
From tensions with the police department to rebranding the city’s image, Ahmad Anderson and Claudia Jimenez discuss their platforms.
Posted inPublic Safety
Update: Suspect in police shooting identified
Jasmine Robinson, 39, is accused of shooting numerous rounds that struck neighboring homes and vehicles, including a patrol car, police said.
Posted inPublic Safety
Suspect arrested in hit-and-run that killed 81-year-old Richmond man
Don Mack, 66, of Richmond was arrested on Sunday in connection with the death of Rafael Delago, who was in a crosswalk when he was hit.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond man, 81, killed in hit-and-run at 23rd Street
Rafael Delgado was struck by a vehicle that left the scene, family members said, after he left the Bahia de Jiquilisco restaurant on Aug. 23.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond arson suspect delays entering plea in killing of 4 family members
Sergio Ivan Rivera-Vega will be formally arraigned on Tue., Sept. 8 on four counts of murder-arson.
Posted inPublic Safety
Update: Richmond fire claims fourth victim
The house fire police say was arson resulted in the deaths of a Richmond mother, her two young children and her father. Her brother has been charged with murder.
Posted inPublic Safety
Richmond man arrested at scene of fatal house fire was related to the four victims
The suspect’s father and his nephew died, making them the city’s sixth and seventh homicides of 2026. His sister and her daughter are in critical condition.
Posted inCity
FPPC fines Richmond council member $400 for improper 2023 recusal
The commission ruled Doria Robinson failed to properly disclose a conflict of interest though it found “insufficient evidence” she influenced the city’s Urban Tilth contract.
Posted inCommunity
What we know about Richmond’s PCE cases
For decades, the carcinogen was widely used in dry-cleaning and consumer products. Now the state is working to clean up at least 10 local sites where it’s been detected.
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
Update: Richmond discusses city manager hiring
The council interrupted its mid-summer break to discuss hiring Shasa Curl’s successor and extended the contract with a recruiter.
Posted inCommunity
Couple is podcasting from a boat in San Pablo Harbor to preserve bay history
Mike Herz, founder of SF Baykeeper, and his wife, Kate Josephs, are sharing stories about the bay from their home upon the waves.
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council keeps running out of time to get things done
Discussions about police military equipment and a proposed ballot measure to create an ethics watchdog commission are among a series of postponed council topics.
Posted inCommunity
Outgoing county assessor calls FBI raids ‘substantial but not substantive,’ saying they’ll meet July 1 deadline
Outgoing Assessor Gus Kramer, whose office and home were recently raided by the FBI, says he expects the county will meet the deadline for its multi-billion-dollar annual property assessment.
Posted in2026 Election
Richmond considers ballot measure to pay for fire station fixes and paramedics
Richmond is the only city in the county without paramedic-certified fire service. Polling says voters are open to paying for it — but aren’t enthusiastic.
Posted inCity
Council warned: Stop assigning more work to understaffed city departments
With 18% of Richmond’s city positions left vacant to balance the budget, the city manager told the city council to stop creating new roles and adding new priorities.
