New Vision for Public Safety, COVID-19 Updates, and More Berkeley News
A New Vision for Public Safety
After a marathon City Council meeting, the Council voted early Wednesday morning to move forward on a series of changes to the way public safety is conducted in Berkeley. After multiple proposals were submitted by various Councilmembers on a breadth of public safety related changes, Mayor Arreguin introduced an omnibus proposal that consolidated these proposals into one cohesive item. Highlights of the proposal include:
Creating the Berkeley Department of Transportation (BerkDOT) to handle traffic enforcement.
Launching the Public Safety Reimagining Process that will evaluate initiatives and reforms that reduce the footprint of the Police Department and limit the Police’s scope of work primarily to violent and criminal matters, with a goal of reducing the budget by 50%.
Piloting the Specialized Care Unit consisting of trained crisis-response workers who would respond to 911 calls that the operator evaluated as non-criminal and that posed no imminent threat to the safety of first responders, such as calls regarding mental health.
Directing the City Auditor to conduct a data-driven study that includes analysis of police calls and responses, as well as analysis of the BPD budget and expenditures by call type.
Like all mayors, I have a responsibility to be a thoughtful steward of taxpayer resources, and to simultaneously ensure the safety of our citizens. But despite my being a longtime social justice advocate, it was this movement, and this moment, that forced me to recognize that we cannot rely on dated and expensive policing models to build the future of public safety. You can read more about my thoughts on this in an op-ed I authored in the San Francisco Chronicle. For far too long, public safety has been equated with more police. Now is the time to innovate, and we must meet the moment. We must be both creative and imagine an alternative approach to public safety, to make clear and demonstrate a commitment as well as timelines to implement this to work. I look forward to continuing to work with our community in advancing these changes.
Berkeley Schools Expected to Conduct Classes Online
The Berkeley Unified School District is likely to have all students do distance learning when the fall 2020 semester starts on August 17th. Superintendent Brent Stephens recommended this proposal at the July 15th meeting of the School Board, with a final vote on this proposal taking place on July 29th.
In a letter to the community on July 13th, Superintendent Stephens outlined the following recommendations:
BUSD will begin the year with an improved Distance Learning plan that will look very different from the program provided last spring. There will be structured daily and weekly schedules for students, required attendance, daily live instruction on Zoom, engaging remote learning content, assignments that are graded and reviewed by teachers, and consistent communication with families.
Elementary and middle schools will stay in distance learning for the first eight weeks of instruction, until October 9th. By September 15, we should be able to reassess and announce our capacity and timeline for the next steps to transition to on-campus teaching – if it is possible to do so in compliance with health guidance.
High school students will also stay in distance learning, most likely until the December break, supplemented by afterschool activities as described below. We will assess the feasibility of transitioning to campus learning sooner, at the quarter break, but recognize that the logistical issues for high school may compel us to wait until the semester break.
As COVID-19 Cases Rise Statewide, Relaxations Reversed
Currently, Berkeley has 302 cases, an increase of 107 in the past two weeks. While part of this increase can be attributed to increased testing capacity, hospitalization rates are also increasing throughout Alameda County, with a 28.5% increase over the past 14 days. Statewide, there has been a 27.8% increase in hospitalization over the past couple of days.
California has taken a stronger stance over the past week in curtailing actions originally taken by local public health jurisdictions. Specifically, last Friday, outdoor dining was prohibited in jurisdictions that have not yet received a variance, which includes Berkeley and Alameda County. The variance is a request to the State to get permission to allow for further reopening. On Wednesday, a variance was submitted and approved, reinstating outdoor dining effective immediately. Additionally, on Monday the State ordered an immediate closure of various indoor activities. This means that indoor religious services are prohibited yet again.
Housing Retention Grants Available to Tenants
Are you a Berkeley Tenant? Have you suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19? Are you behind on your rent or you cannot pay your rent now? The Eviction Defence Center can help. If you need rental assistance, please call the Eviction Defense Center at 510-452-4541 to see if you qualify for the Berkeley Housing Retention Grant.
Have You Completed the 2020 Census?
The results of the 2020 Federal Census will determine how billions of dollars in federal funding get allocated for years to come. The national emergency we are now experiencing with COVID-19 is just one example of why the Census is so important. Everything from roads to public health services and disaster response funding, from our representation in government to unemployment resources is based on this count. Our ability to accurately count Berkeley residents has been challenged by the COVID-19 outbreak and has limited our chances to provide Census information during a critical window of time.
Berkeley currently has a 66.8% response rate, which varies widely by neighborhood. Census tracts located in the hills are averaging 80% while student areas are approximately 40%. If you have not filled out the census, do so by October 31 at https://my2020census.gov/.
Next Town Hall July 25 at Noon
Join Mayor Jesse Arreguín, City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley, and Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez for a Virtual Town Hall where they will provide updates on the city’s response to COVID-19 and answer your questions.
What: Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19
When: Saturday, July 25, 12pm
Watch live at jessearreguin.com
Ask your questions by 9am on July 25 at jessearreguin.com