The city is making a key update to its housing plans. Here’s how the process works and how you can get involved.
Shirley Dean
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
Neighbors, police vow new push on crime prevention
A Berkeley community group focused on crime prevention pledged to up its game Monday night, and representatives from the Police Department said they plan to ramp up their own collaboration with neighbors. Those efforts may be particularly important given the double-digit increase in crime Berkeley saw in 2015. Berkeley police officials reported in March that overall Part […]
Posted inCommunity
Veterans Day in Berkeley: Remembering city’s casualties
On Veterans Day Berkeley came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Electronic Vietnam War Memorial, with an observance at the Berkeley Veterans Memorial Building at 1931 Center St. The event, which began at 11:11 a.m., included a keynote speech by former Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean, who, according to Ted Friedman, who was there for Berkeleyside, […]
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
With Harold Way EIR approval on hold pending new design, Berkeley officials to consider community benefits
After two recent discussions regarding the environmental impact analysis for a tall building proposed at 2211 Harold Way, the Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board agreed Thursday to delay action pending new plans expected from developers. City staff told the zoning board at its May 14 meeting that the developer is modifying plans in response to Design Review Committee feedback in April. […]
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley neighbors take on ‘noisy and drunken parties’
Dozens of concerned neighbors met Monday night at the Berkeley Police Department to strategize about how to cut down on “noisy and drunken disturbances,” particularly in Berkeley’s Southside neighborhood. The city of Berkeley is working on an ordinance to try to curtail problematic behavior, which has at times taxed the city’s emergency services and overwhelmed […]
Posted inCity, Community, Crime & Safety
Mental health calls #1 drain on Berkeley police resources
Responding to people with mental health issues is the number one drain on police resources in Berkeley, a police officer who specializes in the topic said this week. Nationally, 10% of police calls are for people having a mental health crisis, according to Berkeley Police Officer Jeff Shannon. In Berkeley, that number is 35% or more. Over the […]
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley police captain to become Benicia chief
After 17 years with the Berkeley Police Department, Capt. Erik Upson has been selected to run police services in Benicia beginning later this month. Upson announced the move internally Monday, and the city of Benicia followed up with an official statement Tuesday. He is set to begin his new job as Benicia’s police chief April 20. “He […]
Posted inBusiness, City, Housing & Development
Berkeley Zoning Board considers community benefits of proposed downtown high-rise
As Berkeley officials grappled with what the concept of “community benefits” actually means, the developer of the 18-story high rise at 2211 Harold Way announced at a Jan. 8 meeting of the Zoning Adjustments Board that he is willing to financially assist both the Habitot Children’s Museum and Boss, (Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency) as well […]
Posted inHousing & Development
Would new green initiative kill 2 downtown high rises?
Update, June 14: The initiative has qualified for the November 2014 ballot. Original story: As volunteers man the entrances to Berkeley Bowl, wander the farmers markets, and stop people on the street to collect signatures for what is called the “Green Downtown & Public Commons Initiative,” the various sides disagree on the impact the initiative […]
Posted inCity
FCPC looks into alleged violations by Yes on S supporters
The Fair Campaign Practices Commission has decided to investigate whether any campaign laws were broken when the Yes on Measure S campaign paid people from $50 to $100 in cash to pass out campaign material on election day. The commission also wants staff to look into whether the Yes on S campaign paid for an […]
Posted inCity
Board candidate accuses Capitelli aide of trespassing
A candidate for the Berkeley Rent Board, who is also an aide to City Councilman Kriss Worthington, filed a police complaint Monday charging that the aide to City Councilman Laurie Capitelli trespassed on his property. Alejandro Soto-Vigil said that his wife saw Capitelli’s aide and campaign manager, Pamela Gray, walk onto his property on Berkeley […]