PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY >> PUBLIC SAFETY

Prioritizing policies that promote a safe and equitable community

The City of Berkeley has an excellent police force, whose dedicated officers truly care about the community they serve. Over the past decade, crime rates in our city have dropped significantly, reflecting a national trend. However, this success has been tempered by an increase in the homeless population, which has diverted officer resources and left less time for patrols and special investigations. Mayor Arreguin understands that public safety is at the core of a thriving community. He is committed a more holistic approach to addressing public safety, including transitioning calls around homelessness, mental health, and non-criminal incidents to social workers and other qualified workers.

In light of nationwide protests against police brutality, Mayor Arreguin is continuing efforts conducted in 2015 and 2017 to improve police use of force policies. He has coauthored legislation to amend use of force, including incorporating the policies promoted by the 8 Can’t Wait campaign that was approved on June 9th, 2020. In response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the Council voted on a slate of changes to how we address public safety creating a Community Safety Coalition to create a new and transformative model of positive, equitable and community-centered safety for Berkeley.

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

An estimated 17% of Berkeley residents walk and 10% bike to work. We need to create the infrastructure needed to promote safe streets for environmentally friendly forms of transportation. The Mayor is working with a group of safety experts on Vision Zero, which aims at eliminating pedestrian/cyclist fatalities and serious injuries by 2028. Recent City Budgets have increased funding for various traffic calming and safety projects in high risk roads. The Bike Plan, last updated in 2017 and currently undergoing new updates aims to create a stronger network of bicycle boulevards, expanding safe biking options. The Pedestrian Plan, last updated in 2021, which aims to make Berkeley “a model walkable city where traveling on foot or with an assistive device is safe, comfortable, and convenient for people of all races, ethnicities, incomes, ages, and abilities.”

Wildfire Safety

With climate change creating more powerful wildfires in California, Mayor Arreguin has been working with state and regional leaders in reducing the risk of fires in Berkeley. One major initiative launched in 2019 is the North Orinda Fire Break, creating a barrier along the wildland-urban interface in the Berkeley Hills. With the passage of Measure FF, the Emergency Response and Preparedness Parcel Tax in 2020, the City has made major investments in vegetation and hazard management, communication, and wildfire prevention. In August 2019, the City held its first large-scale wildfire evacuation drills, giving our first responders and residents at risk vital training. Berkeley is not stranger to wildfires, with major fires impacting the city in 1923 and 1991. Reducing risks and being prepared is essential to our safety. The City is currently in the process of developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is scheduled to be adopted in Spring 2023.

Strengthening Community Relationships

In 2014, Mayor Arreguin introduced legislation to outfit every BPD officer with a body camera as a way of increasing trust between police and residents, and adding transparency to police work. In 2016, the Center for Policing Equity, a non-partisan think tank, found racial disparities in police stops, searches and uses of force by the Berkeley Police Department. The report advanced a number of recommendations, which the Mayor supported, including key measures around data transparency and accountability. In 2020, the Mayor launched a Fair and Impartial Working Group, with academic experts, BPD leadership, and community stakeholder organizations that is developing a departmental action plan with short term and long term steps to address these disparities.