The overall total number of violent and property crimes in 2022 was “the highest in the past 10 years,” Interim Police Chief Jen Louis told the City Council in a special meeting this week. “Berkeley continues to have one of the highest property crime rates in our region.”
Police staffing
Posted inCity
In 7-2 vote, Berkeley council approves broad package to reimagine policing
Thursday’s vote was a budget referral: The package will come back in June so officials can decide what will actually be funded in the coming years.
Posted inCity
Officials say yes to ‘new vision of public safety’ — and more cops, too
“When we work together as a whole community we can make real progress,” Mayor Jesse Arreguín said Thursday.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Open patrol beats are the biggest driver of police officer overtime, audit finds
Security work for outside entities, such as UC Berkeley, the Apple store and other Fourth Street businesses, made up 10% of the overtime costs in FY20.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley 911 center plagued by low morale, $1M in overtime, city audit finds
911 calls to Berkeley’s police and fire dispatch center are taking longer to get through due to chronic understaffing that is only likely to get worse, the city auditor reported in a recent analysis.
Posted inCrime & Safety
As staffing crisis continues for Berkeley police, officers who left reveal why
Veteran officers have been leaving the department in record numbers, walking away from friends and generous benefits to start over at other agencies. What has driven the exodus?
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 inCrime & Safety
Latest Berkeley crime stats show 23% increase in violence in 2017
Violent crime reports in Berkeley rose 23% over the first half of 2017, as compared to the prior year, according to public safety data just released by the FBI.
Posted inCity
Chief: Berkeley police face ‘a deepening staffing crisis’
Berkeley police staffing levels have reached a crisis point, and the entire traffic bureau along with some investigative positions may be on the chopping block in early 2018.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley’s new ‘top cop’ says public trust is top priority
Described as a “homegrown leader” with a deep grasp of Berkeley values, “native son” Andrew Greenwood was appointed to the role of police chief Tuesday night.
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
Officers question leadership of Berkeley police chief
Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan at a public meeting in 2014 related to changing the police beat map for the first time in many years. Meehan said in August that approach has not been working. Photo: Emilie Raguso More than six years after taking the helm of the Berkeley Police Department, Chief Michael Meehan is facing serious criticism […]
