Posted inCrime & Safety

BPD to hire officers, ‘take a collective deep breath’ under new chief

Capt. Andrew Greenwood — who is now the acting chief — at a BPD promotion ceremony in 2013 (file photo). Photo: Emilie Raguso Capt. Andrew Greenwood — who is now the acting chief — at a BPD promotion ceremony in 2013 (file photo). Photo: Emilie Raguso In the wake of the abrupt departure Tuesday of Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan, Acting Chief […]

Posted inCrime & Safety

Berkeley police chief resigns; no reason provided

Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan said the public still has ample time to offer feedback. Photo: Emilie Raguso Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan has resigned following reports surfaced by Berkeleyside last month of turmoil within the department and extensive criticism by officers of the chief. Meehan resigned after nearly seven years, and Capt. Andrew Greenwood will now take the […]

Posted inSchools

Berkeley School Board rejects school officer grant

The Berkeley Unified School District has one school resource officer. Photo: Emilie Raguso The Berkeley School Board said a resounding “no” to a proposal to add a second police officer to its campus roster during a discussion earlier this month about ways to address safety and racial tension on campus. The proposal, from Superintendent Donald Evans, […]

Posted inCommunity

Outpouring of concern for Berkeley ‘Toys for Tots’ brings in $8,400 in donations — so far

The 2014 Toys for Toys giveaway. Photo: Berkeley Police Association Update, Dec. 18: The Berkeley Police Association has closed its fundraising campaign because it more than exceeded its goals. The drive for Toys for Tots garnered $11,114 from 193 people in one day. Original story, Dec. 17: Less than 14 hours after the Berkeley Police Association […]

Posted inCommunity

Berkeley ‘Toys for Tots’ needs community help after donations fall through

The 2014 Toys for Toys giveaway. Photo: Berkeley Police Association Update 12/18: The Berkeley Police Association has closed its fundraising campaign because it more than exceeded its goals. The drive for Toys for Tots garnered $11,114 from 193 people in one day. Update, 8:15 p.m. The Berkeley Police Association has set up a GoFundMe account to […]

Posted inCity, Crime & Safety

‘Unconstitutional police attacks’ in December Berkeley protests spur civil rights lawsuit

Lawyers Rachel Lederman and James Chanin (left) and plaintiffs Joseph Watkins, Moni Law, Rasheed Shabazz and Cindy Pincus during the Monday press conference in front of Berkeley Police headquarters. Photo: Lance Knobel Lawyers Rachel Lederman and James Chanin (left) and plaintiffs Joseph Watkins, Moni Law, Rasheed Shabazz and Cindy Pincus during the Monday press conference in front of Berkeley […]

Posted inCity, Community, Crime, Crime & Safety

Berkeley police chief says Tasers would help his officers

Berkeley Police Chief Meehan Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan told the Berkeley City Council on Tuesday night he believes his officers should be granted the option to carry Tasers, which are not currently allowed under city policy. It was the first time Meehan has taken a stand on the issue in a high-profile public forum, though he said he had made similar comments […]

Posted inCity, Crime & Safety, Housing & Development

Capitelli says he didn’t get commission from house sale for Meehan, but will donate fee he was paid

Councilman Capitelli. Photo: Emilie Raguso Berkeley City Councilman Laurie Capitelli said Monday that he never served as the real estate agent for Police Chief Michael Meehan’s home purchase and never split a nearly $30,000 commission for the deal, contrary to what was reported Friday by the Bay Area News Group. When Meehan went looking to buy a home […]

Posted inCity

Berkeley councilman Laurie Capitelli profited from $500,000 housing loan given to police chief, paper says

Laurie Capitelli at Espresso Roma, Berkeley, CA, Oct. 10, 2012. Photo: Emilie Raguso Update, Oct. 5: Councilman Laurie Capitelli issued a statement Monday to clarify his role in the purchase of a home by Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan in 2010 following a City Council vote the prior year to loan the chief money toward the purchase. […]