A coalition of advocates for Berkeley’s homeless community gathered online to sing, pray and demand justice for the unhoused people.
Berkeley Copwatch
Posted inCommunity
Michael Diehl, longtime Berkeley activist, struck and killed by car
Nicknamed the “Mayor of Berkeley streets,” Diehl was active in Berkeley politics for decades and provided mental health and counseling services to the poor, the homeless, and the mentally ill.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Federal judge rejects police brutality lawsuit over homeless camp arrests
A federal judge has ruled that Berkeley police officers used “minimal” force that was “reasonable” when they arrested several people who protested or resisted arrest during a homeless camp removal in 2016.
Posted inCity
Citing lack of evidence, judge ends Kayla Moore lawsuit against Berkeley police
The father of a transgender woman who died in 2013, as police tried to arrest her, failed to provide enough evidence to prove discrimination. A judge has denied his claim.
Posted inCrime & Safety
More than 80% of Berkeley officers have looked to leave BPD, cop union says
Available Berkeley police staffing is down to 135 officers, and 80% of the department is investigating whether to leave, a Berkeley Police Association rep said Monday night.
Posted inCommunity
Police roust homeless camp; activists vow to return
Berkeley police arrest Nanci Armstrong-Temple on the morning of Friday, Nov. 4. Photo: Paul Kealoha-Blake Berkeley police arrest Nanci Armstrong-Temple on the morning of Friday, Nov. 4. Photo: Paul Kealoha-Blake Early Friday morning, Berkeley police dismantled an encampment that had been set up on Adeline Street to protest the way the city provides homeless services. A contingent of […]
Posted inCity, Crime & Safety
Judge tosses bulk of wrongful death suit against police
About 50 people held a rally Monday morning in support of a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Kayla Moore. Photo: Emilie Raguso A U.S. District Court judge has rejected the majority of a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Berkeley that criticized the way police officers handled a 2013 call involving a transgender woman […]
Posted inCommunity, Crime & Safety
City seeks rejection of wrongful death lawsuit against police; celebrity pathologist disputes cause of death
Supporters of the Kayla Moore wrongful death lawsuit protested in Berkeley on Tuesday. Photo: Daniel McPartlan Attorneys for the city of Berkeley have asked a U.S. District Court judge to reject a wrongful death lawsuit filed in 2014 by the father of a transgender woman who died in police custody in 2013. Representatives for both parties are […]
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley coalition says police stops show racial bias
A local coalition has raised concerns about alleged racial profiling by Berkeley police. Photo: Emilie Raguso Berkeley police officers disproportionately stop and search people of color during traffic stops, according to a coalition of groups that presented data and demanded changes from the department Tuesday. Representatives from the Berkeley NAACP, Berkeley Copwatch and UC Berkeley’s Black […]
Posted inCommunity, Crime & Safety
Police release redacted reports on Berkeley protests
After denying a Public Records Act request from a local police watchdog group, the department responded with heavily redacted documents. The Berkeley Police Department has released two operational plans about protests in the city Dec. 6-7, but most of the wording was blacked out and redacted, so minimal information was revealed. Andrea Prichett, co-founder of Berkeley Copwatch, […]
Posted inCity, Crime & Safety, Schools
‘Double header’ council meetings set for Tuesday, protests also planned
Family members of Kayla Moore have said they are fighting for justice after her death in police custody in 2013 (file photo). Photo: Emilie Raguso Family members of Kayla Moore have said they are fighting for justice after her death in police custody in 2013 (file photo). Photo: Emilie Raguso After canceling its regular session last week, […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
City of Berkeley solicits Taser study; anti-Taser group to hold forum Thursday night
Advocates for and against Tasers attended a meeting in May to speak to the Berkeley City Council about whether Berkeley police should be allowed to carry the weapon. Photo: Emilie Raguso Advocates for and against Tasers attended a meeting in May to speak to the Berkeley City Council about whether Berkeley police should be allowed to carry […]