Catalytic converter thefts have exploded in Berkeley in recent years, from just 15 in 2017 to 846 in 2022, according to police data.
Alex N. Gecan
Alex N. Gecan joined Berkeleyside in 2023 as a senior reporter covering public safety. He has covered criminal justice, courts and breaking and local news for The Middletown Press, Stamford Advocate and Connecticut Post in Connecticut, Asbury Park Press on the Jersey Shore and the Marin Independent Journal.
Posted inCity
BPD report details special weapon deployment
Berkeley’s City Council has banned police use of tear gas in the city, but BPD has retained some canisters as the city studies other options for crowd control.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley mental health responders still trying to staff up
Bonita House, which will run the new Specialized Care Unit, is looking for EMTs and mental health professionals. It hopes to start responding to calls this summer.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Therapy dog joins Berkeley police oversight office
Lucky, a labrador-cocker spaniel mix, will be available for “animal-assisted interventions” in the Office of the Director of Police Accountability.
Posted inCity
Board tasked with holding Berkeley police accountable is short-handed, feeling the strain
With half the Police Accountability Board’s seats empty, work has been piling up. There’s “a natural limit with how much a person can engage,” the board’s leader said.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Haskell Street home under construction catches fire
There were no injuries in the fire. Officials believe it may have started in a roof under construction.
Posted inCity
Berkeley City Council postpones decision on how it collects surveillance footage
Disagreements on camera and drone usage and how long to keep recordings are holding up the vote on surveillance policies.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley man sentenced to 28 years in prison for violent sex crimes
Following a 2022 spree of violent sex crimes in Albany, Berkeley and Oakland, 45-year-old Tommy Lee Giles Jr. of Berkeley was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Police Accountability Board member resigns in protest of city’s approach to oversight
Cheryl Owens stepped down from the board the day after Jen Louis was appointed BPD chief. Another PAB member’s term ended Wednesday, meaning five seats on the nine-seat board are currently vacant.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley’s fire chief confirmed to permanent position
David Sprague has led the department on an interim basis for nearly a year. He has worked for the department since 2001.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley appoints Jen Louis as police chief amid ongoing leaked texts investigation
The Berkeley City Council voted 5-4 not to wait for the outcome of the investigation. Seven members voted to confirm Jen Louis as Berkeley police chief; two abstained.
Posted inCity
Vote set — once again — to confirm Jen Louis as Berkeley police chief
City Council is set to decide Tuesday whether to confirm Interim Chief Police Jen Louis with a permanent role at more than $300,000 annually. Accountability officials have asked for more time.
