Police should track mental health, homeless calls better, new audit says
The 80-page analysis — the first known assessment of its kind — was published Thursday by city auditor Jenny Wong.
Ben Bartlett
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FAA abandons plans to reroute flight patterns over Berkeley
The announcement came during a public meeting about Oakland and San Francisco airport noise.
‘Alarming’ crime uptick brings local leaders together for Zoom town hall
“We must employ a variety of tactics to deter, intervene and investigate crimes,” West Berkeley Councilmember Terry Taplin said during Wednesday’s Zoom.
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‘State of Black Berkeley’ points to challenges, new and old, for Black residents
Activists gathered to discuss economic and racial inequality, reparations, police violence – and to celebrate accomplishments.
Berkeley hopes new Ceasefire program will curb violence
Citing an “alarming rise in shootings” this year, officials pledged Tuesday night to work to create a new Ceasefire program designed to “address gun violence” in Berkeley.
Berkeley police will track, share more use-of-force data under new rules
Berkeley officials voted early Friday morning to adopt an updated use-of-force policy for police that will expand what types of force officers track and report, and how they make this information available to the public.
Berkeley council approves ‘omnibus motion’ on police reform
The city will work to create a new transportation department with a “racial justice lens” and a Specialized Care Unit staffed by a “network of crisis responders” to respond to non-criminal calls, among other changes.
Berkeley pares $9.3M from police budget amid clamor for reform
The Berkeley City Council shifted more than $9 million out of the police department budget Tuesday night to help pay for a range of reforms called for by community members and city officials alike in recent weeks.
Council may require developers to build low-income units in ‘opportunity zones’
Council was set to vote on whether to require developers to include affordable housing units in their projects downtown and in parts of South and West Berkeley. The item was postponed.
Habitot Children’s Museum is ready to move, but fundraising poses a challenge
Now that the 18-story complex at 2211 Harold Way has fallen through, Habitot no longer faces immediate eviction. But it must still raise millions to move to its new site in South Berkeley
Group aims to ‘green’ South Berkeley by transforming old railroad right-of-way
Instead of empty lots, the land could include elongated greenspace, walking paths, dog parks, play areas and community gardens.
Berkeley council split over $11M Measure P budget, new outdoor homeless camp
Last week, officials voted to spend about $11 million in tax revenue on new and existing services to address homelessness, including an RV parking program and an outdoor homeless shelter for up to 50 people.
