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 inSchools

BUSD poised to adopt tougher school enrollment policy

BUSD rejected 11% of applicants from private middle schools to Berkeley High School for 2015-16 after stricter enforcement requirements were implemented. Now the board is considering an even tougher policy. Photo: Melati Citrawireja Berkeley school board officials are considering tougher enrollment requirements to curb illegal enrollment in the district, following the initial success of new […]

Posted inCommunity

Date set for public forum with W. Kamau Bell and Elmwood Café in wake of racism accusation

W. Kamau Bell will take part in a public conversation on “implicit bias and micro-aggression experiences in the East Bay,” on March 13, 2015, in Berkeley. Photo: Matthias Clamer Courtesy of FX W. Kamau Bell will take part in a public conversation on “implicit bias and micro-aggression experiences in the East Bay,” on March 13, 2015, in Berkeley. Photo: Matthias Clamer […]

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 inCity, Crime & Safety

Berkeley adopts anti-bias policing policy, commits to collecting data on race

Berkeley Police officers patrolling at night: a new policing policy adopted unanimously by the City Council aims to address alleged racial profiling when police make stops. Photo: Emilie Raguso Berkeley Police officers patrolling at night: a new policing policy adopted unanimously by the City Council aims to address alleged racial profiling when police make stops. Photo: Emilie […]

Posted inCity

Report suggests new Berkeley anti-discrimination policies

Attendees at a December 2013 NAACP Town Hall meeting discussed race issues in Berkeley. Photo: Lance Knobel Berkeley city staff are reviewing a report by Oakland-based firm Mason Tillman Associates that recommends changes in city policies in response to allegations of racism in employment practices. The report, which was sent to Berkeley City Council members by the city manager in […]