Berkeley measure to battle gun violence

Council agrees on Operation Ceasefire to curb recent shootings

BERKELEY >> The city of Berkeley, reeling after an increase in shootings — including one that left a pregnant mother dead — has agreed to an Operation Ceasefire to try to help curb the violence.

The emergency legislation, also called the Group Violence Intervention program, was passed unanimously Tuesday night by the Berkeley City Council.

The program will include law enforcement agencies, community members and support services who will offer help to those likely to be involved with gun violence, said City Councilman Ben Bartlett, who introduced the legislation.

T he program identifies young adults ages 1830 who are at the greatest risk of gun violence, either as victims or shooters, and creates an intervention team to communicate with them directly and respectfully. For example, community leaders, mental health professionals and drug counselors will work with the young people, teaching them about forgiveness and how to let go of anger, Bartlett said.

There are plans to use “credible messengers” — people who have had similar life experiences as atrisk youth who have transformed their lives and could serve as mentors.

Bartlett said this method has been proven effective in cities throughout the country in reducing homicides.

The city is in the midst of reimagining its public safety process by creating a special unit of trained professionals to respond to mental health crisis calls and having unarmed employees enforce traffic laws. The changes likely will go into effect in January or Februar y. Bartlett said Tuesday’s vote means the Operation Ceasefire program will be included in that reform.

The legislation was inspired by the city’s recent uptick in violence. So far this year, Berkeley has had at least 30 shootings, compared with 28 in 2019 and 20 in 2018. But the turning point was the fatal shooting last week of Sereinat’e Henderson, 19, who died after a drive-by shooting on Prince Street in south Berkeley.

Henderson, who was two months pregnant, was in a car Oct. 21 with her child and other family members when someone in another car opened fire, according to police and media reports. Berkeley police are offering a $50,000 reward for information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of suspect or suspects. Henderson was the city’s fourth homicide by gunfire this year, according to the legislation.

“It was so shocking to the senses,” Bartlett said.

He said although the clock can’t be turned back on Henderson’s death, he hopes the cease-fire will help ensure no one else dies of gun violence in the community.

The cease-fire program will be centered in Berkeley, but Bartlett hopes it will be connected and work in concert with neighboring jurisdictions such as Oakland, Richmond, Antioch and San Francisco.

“By looking at the success of similar programs in other cities and catering it towards the needs of Berkeley, we can develop safe communities together,” Mayor Jesse Arreguin said in a statement.