By Matthias Gafni
East Bay Times
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — The Contra Costa firefighters union Wednesday apologized for the weekend arrest of two off-duty firefighters following its charity ball that left two police officers injured.
Around 5 a.m., just hours after the Second Annual Firefighters Ball at the Marriott Walnut Creek hotel had ended, Walnut Creek police responded to hotel security’s request to remove four drunk people, police said.
Upon their arrival, Contra Costa Fire engineer Andrew Desmond, 31, started a fight and was eventually arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, public intoxication and trespassing, police said.
Firefighter Lontavious Johnson, 32, and two women were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, trespassing and obstruction.
A Contra Costa prosecutor said Wednesday that her office has not received a case to decide if charges are warranted. A fire official said both firefighters have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
“It was a great event that went off without a hitch and everybody who attended has a great time,” union President Vince Wells said. “The incident that occurred at 5 in the morning was not part of the ball. Some firefighters stayed at the hotel after.”
The fracas happened hours after the charity ball ended Saturday night and the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, released this statement Wednesday:
“On October 22, 2016, the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, hosted its 2nd Annual Firefighters Ball. The ball is also a fundraiser for our Bikes for Tykes charity. The money donated to this charity is used to buy bikes for needy children during the Christmas season.
“This event was a huge success, raising more than $20,000 for the charity fund. The event at the Marriott Hotel in Walnut Creek, attended by more than 160 firefighters, significant others, event sponsors and local political leaders, ended at 11 p.m. Saturday evening.
“The morning following the charity event, an incident occurred involving two off-duty firefighters and Walnut Creek police officers. This isolated and unfortunate incident was not connected with the charity event.
“The incident is being investigated by both the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and Walnut Creek Police Department, with full cooperation of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230.
“While we await the conclusion of the investigation, the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, does not condone the actions of which our members are accused. Firefighters and police officers work together on a daily basis, and often rely on each other in dangerous situations, so a good working relationship is critical.
“The more than 400 firefighters who are members of Local 1230 are honorable and committed men and women who value their brothers and sisters in law enforcement and the community they serve.
“The people of our community have a right to expect firefighters to be held to the highest standards on and off duty. We expect this of ourselves as well.
“The United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, apologizes to the Marriott Hotel, the Walnut Creek Police Department, the Fire District and to the public we serve for this unfortunate incident at the site of our charity event. We sincerely hope it does not detract from the success of the event and from a charitable cause that has brought a smile to hundreds of needy children throughout Contra Costa County.”
Copyright 2016 the Contra Costa Times