Rise of pandemic violence prompts Berkeley push to add police patrols

More cops on foot, bikes would be targeted to offset higher crime

In response to a rise in shootings and other violence during the pandemic, some City Council members are calling for more foot and bike police patrols.

Council members Terry Taplin, Ben Bartlett and Mayor Jesse Arreguín proposed adding up to six full-time officers on bike and foot patrols in parts of south and west Berkeley. Six full-time officers would cost $1.2 million to $1.3 million annually.

Berkeley has seen a rise in aggravated assault, homicides, auto thefts and larceny during the pandemic, according to the Police Department’s 2019-20 crime report, which is consistent with a national and even East Bay trend.

Berkeley had five homicides in 2020, including the fatal shooting of a UC Berkeley student, one year after not recording any. Certain crimes, such as vehicle thefts, increased by 66% in 2020. Most of the gunfire was concentrated in west and south Berkeley.

“Our community is swiftly losing patience with this violence — residents in the flats deserve safety and proaction on the part of the city,” Taplin said in a statement.

Taplin cited a 2016 University of Cambridge study that found that vehicle patrols were less effective than beat policing. Cops having a face-to-face interaction with the neighborhood would be more effective than a car appearing after a crime occurred, he said.

“Foot and bicycle patrols also have the potential to enhance community trust with BPD as officers will be engaged in visibly nonconfrontational contact with the community rather than patrolling in vehicles,” states his city staff report.

He also maintains the patrols would reduce greenhouse gases because it would mean fewer police vehicles on the road.

A similar foot patrol pilot program was successful in 2010 when Berkeley police partnered with University of California police to patrol Telegraph Avenue by foot, according to the city. What started as a six-week program for the commercial district eventually became permanent.

“The inclusion of a bike/foot patrol in west Berkeley is an important step in creating a more equitable and safe community as we continue our reimagining public safety process,” Arreguín said in a statement.

The council will review the proposal at its March 30 meeting. It could then be referred to the city’s budget and finance committee to include it in Berkeley’s budget.

The council members and mayor also will hold a virtual town hall meeting on March 31 at 7 p.m. to address gun violence in the community.