On behalf of the university and city police departments, we would like to welcome you back to UC Berkeley and to the city of Berkeley. Our two police departments are working closely to ensure your safety on and off campus.
Teams of university and city police officers work jointly to patrol neighborhoods surrounding the campus. These patrols run Thursday through Saturday nights. Having these directed patrols nearby will allow us to respond more quickly to calls for service. While our priority is protecting you from violent crime, our officers also focus on preserving the community’s overall quality of life.
We will continue to increase the number of university and city officers patrolling before and after UC Berkeley’s home football games. Our officers strictly enforce all laws relating to underage drinking, use of false identification, public possession of open containers of alcohol and public drunkenness.
Ensuring the safety and enjoyment of our campus and surrounding neighborhoods is a community-wide effort, and we ask that you take an active role in ensuring your own personal safety as well as being mindful of how your decisions affect your community. We encourage students to “Be Aware, Be Safe and Be Respectful.”
Be Aware: While Berkeley is generally a safe city, crime does occur in our neighborhoods, and theft is a significant, ongoing issue affecting students. Be mindful of your belongings; do not leave them unattended in public areas like campus buildings and local coffee shops. When you are away from your residence, make sure you lock your doors and windows. And always be aware of your surroundings: Headphones and other gadgets act as distractions, causing you to pay less attention to what’s going on around you and possible risks.
Be Safe: Avoid high-risk situations, especially after dark. The campus provides a variety of nighttime safety services, including BearWALK escorts who will walk you from campus to your residence. The Night Safety Shuttle provides transportation well into the night and early morning.
If you drink alcohol, be responsible. Many crimes that harm students stem from irresponsible alcohol consumption. If you notice unsafe situations, contact the police.
Be Respectful: UC Berkeley students are expected to be good neighbors. Introduce yourself to your neighbors; join a neighborhood watch group or your local neighborhood association. This can also be a great way to meet other Berkeley residents and open doors to lasting connections with this diverse and creative community.
Please keep in mind that loud, unruly parties disturb the peace, making it hard for neighbors to sleep or study. Officers may issue citations for significant disturbances that carry fines ranging from $750 to $2500 for subsequent violations during a 120-day period. Please be a responsible host or guest, respect the neighborhood and keep the noise down and the party indoors.
Also be aware that if you are cited for a violation of city ordinances and state laws, the police will share that information with UC’s Center for Student Conduct and Community Standards. The UC Code of Student Conduct applies both on and off campus, and serious violations can jeopardize your status as a student.
We want you to achieve great success at Cal and enjoy your time in Berkeley. UC and Berkeley police will continue to work hard to make our city a safe and peaceful place.
Margo Bennett is the chief of UCPD, and Michael Meehan is the chief of Berkeley Police Department.