El Cerrito Wire

 Drivers traveling on and around Potrero Avenue, particularly at intersections, have faced some interesting challenges in recent days as the city slurry seal project continues.  A Facebook post by the City of El Cerrito tells drivers to “expect minor traffic delays and temporary lane adjustments in work zones.” When that post was shared on El Cerrito Wire a commenter responded, “ ‘minor traffic delays’ is an offensive description of the s**t show I went through this morning. [Sept. 15.]” The length of some of the blocks around Potrero Avenue and Arlington Boulevard has added to the challenge of navigating around the work, as does the proximity of two schools, Korematsu Middle School and Madera Elementary.  According to the city Facebook post, the work is part of the city’s 2026 slurry seal Measure A-funded street improvement program and is in year two of a five-year pavement maintenance plan.  The city’s goal is to bring El Cerrito streets up to a "good" quality rati...

The El Cerrito City Council voted Sept. 15, 2026 to adopt a Local Road Safety Plan that includes increasing bike lanes, adding speed humps, improving intersection markings, and setting and strictly enforcing a 25 mph speed limit citywide. ”I think this is the right direction,” said Council Member Lisa Motoyama. “It makes much more sense to prioritize humans rather than how fast cars can get through an intersection.” The road plan is structured around a “Vision Zero” policy, aimed at eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes citywide by 2035. Council Member Carolyn Wysinger said people ask why we have things like bulbouts. “People are getting hurt in our streets.” In speaking in support of the plan, Mayor Gabe Quinto said he was hit on his bike on San Pablo Avenue as a child. Rebecca Saltzman said she thought the city should consider speed limits even lower than 25 miles per hour in some places. The vote was 4-1. William Ktsanes voted no, saying while the plan contains gre...

The El Cerrito City Council is scheduled to adopt a Local Road Safety Plan and receive a quarterly update on general fund revenues and expenses when it meets Tuesday, Sept.15, 2026. The road plan is designed to reduce crashes, particularly fatal ones. It is required for the city to remain eligible or competitive for transportation grants, according to the staff report.  El Cerrito’s plan includes measures such as: -enforcing a 25-mile speed limit citywide, including by using “automated speed enforcement technology, as soon as it is permitted under state law” and designing roads with the target speed in mind. -adding bike lanes by removing street parking -allowing and encouraging e-bikes while addressing reckless and illegal use -installing speed humps -standardizing intersection design markings and signs The council is also scheduled to authorize the city to accept a $200,000 federal Community Development Block Grant for Americans with Disabilities Act and architectoral improvement...

UPDATE: Livable El Cerrito coverage   UPDATE:  A video of the El Cerrito Library task force meeting Sept. 8 is now available: https://elcerritoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1382/media   A video of the El Cerrito Library task force meeting Sept. 8 is now available: El Cerrito resident Richard Brooks offers an interesting analysis of the meeting: https://library-force-260908.richardbbrooks.workers.dev/ El Cerrito’s Library Task Force will hold its first meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 at 6 pm in the City Council Chambers. The task force is scheduled to hear a presentation on the history of the library and efforts to improve it, review the responsibilities of the task force, and set a regular meeting schedule. The presentation can be viewed here: https://elcerritoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1382/files/attachment/8035   The presentation notes that the options for funding a new or renovated library are limited: the city can’t afford to finance it through its general ...

  Richmond police have identified the officer struck by gunfire Sept. 3, 2026 on Key Boulevard as Justin Church, a 25-year veteran of law enforcement. Church was treated at a local trauma center and was released from the hospital at about 3 pm Sept. 4. Police said a second officer was inside a patrol vehicle struck by several rounds of gunfire but was not injured. The suspect has been identified as Jasmine Robinson, 39, of Richmond. Robinson has been charged with attempted murder, assault with an assault weapon on a person, and kidnapping, according to police. The complete press release from Richmond police, updated Sept. 4: At approximately 6:41 p.m. Sept. 3, A3 was contacted regarding a request to conduct a mental health check on an individual in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A3 is Contra Costa County’s behavioral health crisis response program. When circumstances present a potential safety concern, A3 may request assistance from law enforcement. Due to the nature of the ...

{press release] RICHMOND - At approximately 6:41 p.m. Sept. 3, A3 was contacted regarding a request to conduct a mental health check on an individual in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A3 is Contra Costa County’s behavioral health crisis response program. When circumstances present a potential safety concern, A3 may request assistance from law enforcement. Due to the nature of the call, A3 requested that Richmond Police officers accompany them to the location. When the first officer arrived at the residence, the officer was struck by gunfire. The officer was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment and is in stable condition. The officer is expected to survive. The suspect barricaded inside the residence and continued firing numerous rounds indiscriminately from within the home. Several rounds struck an RPD Patrol vehicle and neighboring residences, but fortunately, no residents or additional personnel were injured. The Richmond Police Department SWAT Team responded w...

El Cerrito police have arrested a second suspect in an Aug. 23, 2026 fatal shooting and now believe a marijuana robbery was the motive. They also now believe the suspect arrested earlier was one of two people who fired shots. Jamir Buckley, 18, of Richmond was arrested on Monday, Aug. 31 in connection with the killing in the parking lot at Potrero and San Pablo avenues, according to a Nixle notice from police. Police suspect him of being the driver of the car in which the three suspects fled. Buckley was found in possession of an illegal assault rifle and high-capacity magazine, police said. Based on “additional forensic examination,” El Cerrito detectives now believe the first suspect they arrested, Jacari Talifero Gibson, 18, of Richmond, was one of two suspects who fired shots. The detectives worked with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office to amend charges against Gibson to include murder, according to police. El Cerrito detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Gibso...