BERKELEY, CA - Addressing mounting safety concerns at the University of California Berkeley, parents have taken a proactive step to tackle the increasing incidents of robberies and violent crimes near the campus. A group of concerned parents, collectively known as Safe Bears, has initiated a groundbreaking move by hiring a private security team to patrol the south side of the university's campus.
This strategic decision comes amidst a growing unease among students and parents who believe that the university administration's response to safety issues has room for improvement, to say the least.
Rebekah, an electronic engineering student, chose not to disclose her last name. Upon her arrival in Berkeley in 2018, she initially felt secure on campus and in the city. However, over the past two years, she has experienced two armed robberies.
"I was parking in my driveway, and as I unlocked the door, two individuals approached from behind," she recounted. "One positioned themselves at the driver's seat, and the other at the passenger seat. They brandished a gun and instructed me to exit the car."
During the incidents, Rebekah lost her personal belongings and her car.
"When I walk the streets now, I'm always apprehensive, constantly scanning my surroundings," she expressed. "Getting in and out of cars involves hurriedly reaching my vehicle and promptly locking it. It feels like this lifestyle is no longer sustainable."
The initiative, launched this week, involves a team of private security guards strategically patrolling the south side of the UC Berkeley campus from 6:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., with a primary focus on three main dorm buildings and the surrounding areas where students reside.
The decision to employ private security was spearheaded by Safe Bears, a group of parents who, like Sagar Jethani, sought to take practical measures to ensure the safety of their children on campus.
"The fact is if they're not going to act, despite repeated pleas from parents and students to take more substantial action, then we're going to act," Jethani said. "We're going to do what needs to be done to keep our family safe."
Robberies and violent incidents have become an unsettling reality for some students, such as Rebekah, who shared her experience of being a victim of two armed robberies in the last two years. The pervasive concern for student safety prompted Safe Bears to raise a substantial $40,000 to finance the private security guards, representing a tangible and immediate response to perceived gaps in the university's security measures.
The private security initiative, spearheaded by Safe Bears, has enlisted the services of Streetplus, a reputable private security company. Six safety ambassadors, clad in distinctive bright yellow jackets, have been deployed to patrol public roads and sidewalks around the university, with a mandate to provide a visible and physical deterrent to potential threats against students during the nighttime hours when criminal activities often peak.
This initiative serves as a pilot program, scheduled to run until March 23. Safe Bears is optimistic that the university will recognize the urgency of the matter and subsequently take over the program to ensure the ongoing safety of the campus community. The heightened level of concern among parents reflects a broader sentiment that the university has been slow to respond to safety issues and implement effective measures to protect students.
In response to the private security initiative, UC Berkeley has issued a statement outlining its ongoing efforts to enhance campus safety. These efforts include the addition of more surveillance cameras, the introduction of community service officers trained by the university police department , and plans to hire additional sworn police officers.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of private security, particularly given their limited equipment—restricted to radios for reporting crimes.
The safety ambassadors hired by Safe Bears have undergone rigorous training, holding California "Guard Cards" and completing at least 32 hours of security guard training. Their training emphasizes de-escalation techniques, as they are not armed with defensive gear.
While the safety ambassadors constantly communicate with the Berkeley Police Department for serious incidents, questions linger about their approach to unforeseen situations and the proactive measures they can take.
Opinions among students regarding the private security initiative are varied. Some, like Analise Guiterrez and Vista Mehrshahi, appreciate the added security measures and view it as a positive step towards ensuring their safety on campus. Conversely, others, like Xuan, another student, feel that the existing campus security officers are sufficient, raising questions about the necessity of additional security measures.
Safe Bears' initiative not only highlights the palpable concerns among parents regarding campus safety but also emphasizes the need for a collective and urgent response. The mixed reactions among students underscore the ongoing discourse on the best approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of the university's vibrant and diverse community.
The Safe Bears initiative serves as a practical and grassroots response to the safety challenges encountered by students at UC Berkeley. The ongoing trial period aims to assess the effectiveness of the private security measures and may stimulate a broader conversation on the responsibilities of universities in ensuring student safety.
As the pilot program unfolds, the future response of the university administration and the potential impact on campus safety protocols are yet to be determined.
"I think there are actions that can be taken at multiple levels," Rebekah said. "At the university level, city level, and state level. But there definitely needs to be a change."
This strategic decision comes amidst a growing unease among students and parents who believe that the university administration's response to safety issues has room for improvement, to say the least.
Rebekah, an electronic engineering student, chose not to disclose her last name. Upon her arrival in Berkeley in 2018, she initially felt secure on campus and in the city. However, over the past two years, she has experienced two armed robberies.
"I was parking in my driveway, and as I unlocked the door, two individuals approached from behind," she recounted. "One positioned themselves at the driver's seat, and the other at the passenger seat. They brandished a gun and instructed me to exit the car."
During the incidents, Rebekah lost her personal belongings and her car.
"When I walk the streets now, I'm always apprehensive, constantly scanning my surroundings," she expressed. "Getting in and out of cars involves hurriedly reaching my vehicle and promptly locking it. It feels like this lifestyle is no longer sustainable."
The initiative, launched this week, involves a team of private security guards strategically patrolling the south side of the UC Berkeley campus from 6:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., with a primary focus on three main dorm buildings and the surrounding areas where students reside.
The decision to employ private security was spearheaded by Safe Bears, a group of parents who, like Sagar Jethani, sought to take practical measures to ensure the safety of their children on campus.
"The fact is if they're not going to act, despite repeated pleas from parents and students to take more substantial action, then we're going to act," Jethani said. "We're going to do what needs to be done to keep our family safe."
Robberies and violent incidents have become an unsettling reality for some students, such as Rebekah, who shared her experience of being a victim of two armed robberies in the last two years. The pervasive concern for student safety prompted Safe Bears to raise a substantial $40,000 to finance the private security guards, representing a tangible and immediate response to perceived gaps in the university's security measures.
The private security initiative, spearheaded by Safe Bears, has enlisted the services of Streetplus, a reputable private security company. Six safety ambassadors, clad in distinctive bright yellow jackets, have been deployed to patrol public roads and sidewalks around the university, with a mandate to provide a visible and physical deterrent to potential threats against students during the nighttime hours when criminal activities often peak.
This initiative serves as a pilot program, scheduled to run until March 23. Safe Bears is optimistic that the university will recognize the urgency of the matter and subsequently take over the program to ensure the ongoing safety of the campus community. The heightened level of concern among parents reflects a broader sentiment that the university has been slow to respond to safety issues and implement effective measures to protect students.
In response to the private security initiative, UC Berkeley has issued a statement outlining its ongoing efforts to enhance campus safety. These efforts include the addition of more surveillance cameras, the introduction of community service officers trained by the university police department , and plans to hire additional sworn police officers.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of private security, particularly given their limited equipment—restricted to radios for reporting crimes.
The safety ambassadors hired by Safe Bears have undergone rigorous training, holding California "Guard Cards" and completing at least 32 hours of security guard training. Their training emphasizes de-escalation techniques, as they are not armed with defensive gear.
While the safety ambassadors constantly communicate with the Berkeley Police Department for serious incidents, questions linger about their approach to unforeseen situations and the proactive measures they can take.
Opinions among students regarding the private security initiative are varied. Some, like Analise Guiterrez and Vista Mehrshahi, appreciate the added security measures and view it as a positive step towards ensuring their safety on campus. Conversely, others, like Xuan, another student, feel that the existing campus security officers are sufficient, raising questions about the necessity of additional security measures.
Safe Bears' initiative not only highlights the palpable concerns among parents regarding campus safety but also emphasizes the need for a collective and urgent response. The mixed reactions among students underscore the ongoing discourse on the best approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of the university's vibrant and diverse community.
The Safe Bears initiative serves as a practical and grassroots response to the safety challenges encountered by students at UC Berkeley. The ongoing trial period aims to assess the effectiveness of the private security measures and may stimulate a broader conversation on the responsibilities of universities in ensuring student safety.
As the pilot program unfolds, the future response of the university administration and the potential impact on campus safety protocols are yet to be determined.
"I think there are actions that can be taken at multiple levels," Rebekah said. "At the university level, city level, and state level. But there definitely needs to be a change."
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