Three shootings in Berkeley since last weekend have raised safety concerns around town, and police area coordinators have been using their email lists to ask for cooperation and assure residents that the incidents are under investigation.
Two shootings took place on Harmon Street in South Berkeley, on Saturday and Monday, and the third incident took place on Bonar Street in West Berkeley on Tuesday night. Two teenagers were shot in the second Harmon Street incident, but were said to have non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported, and there have been no arrests reported.
South Berkeley area coordinator Officer Stephanie Polizziani told community members on her email list Thursday that Berkeley Police “detectives and patrol officers are working night and day following up on any leads that come their way to ensure the community’s safety.”
Polizziani wrote that she and Lt. Randy Files, who oversees five police beats downtown and in South Berkeley, have been in “constant contact with our beat officers and have asked them to remain vigilant in the affected areas.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the incidents to get in touch. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling 510-THE-COPS, Polizziani wrote.
Polizziani said she had already received some information from the community, which she had “passed along anonymously.”
Calling in suspicious information, she added, allows the department to “dedicate resources to the area in real time.”
Officer Rashawn Cummings, area coordinator for West Berkeley, sent an email to his list Friday, on behalf of Police Chief Michael Meehan, to try to allay concerns: “The Berkeley Police Department understands and empathizes with the high level of concern regarding the three recent shootings that have occurred in South and West Berkeley. We want the community to know that responding to these incidents is our top priority.”
The email said police have increased patrols in the area, and “asked both the Special Enforcement Unit and the Traffic Unit to make these areas their top priority. In addition, Bicycle Officers are being diverted to spend time in the affected areas.”
All three cases are “under active investigation and we will follow any and all leads to their conclusion,” according to the email.
He too asked the community to pass along any relevant information to police: “Active community involvement is always the best resource for making our community safer.”
Callers can use the Bay Area Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 800-222-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous. The Berkeley Police Department’s Investigations Division at can be reached at 510-981-5741. As noted above, tipsters can also remain anonymous by calling 510-THE-COPS. Find your area coordinator’s contact information here.
Related:
Update: Police respond to shooting in West Berkeley (03.25.14)
Update: 2 teens shot on Harmon Street in Berkeley (03.24.14)
Berkeley Police investigate drive-by shooting on Harmon (03.24.14)
Berkeley man shot Sunday night at Ashby Flea Market (12.02.13)
Shots fired early Saturday near West Berkeley park (11.02.13)
Berkeley residents tackle safety issues after shootings (03.21.12)
Community meeting called in wake of Berkeley shootings (03.13.12)
Three men shot, wounded early Sunday in West Berkeley (03.05.12)
3 people shot on Bonar Street, no life-threatening injuries (03.02.12)
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