Dee Williams-Ridley

A staffing shortage at the Berkeley Police Department, or BPD, has led to a cut in patrol assignments. While the department previously operated on a 16-beat configuration, they have transitioned to a 14-beat map.

The city of Berkeley is in crisis as it struggles to hire and retain the workers necessary to maintain city operations.

The vote to approve the permanent appointment of Berkeley Police Department Interim Chief Jennifer Louis was postponed during a City Council meeting Tuesday amid public outcry surrounding alleged misconduct within the police department.

Allegations of misconduct against Berkeley Police Department, or BPD, were brought to Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín and City Council Thursday, prompting an external investigation.

Berkeley City Council adopted their first formal land acknowledgement, postponed the plans to repave Hopkins Corridor and discussed a housing development project that was noted as being potentially detrimental during their regular meeting Tuesday. 

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín cancelled City Council's special meeting scheduled for Thursday night to address police use of tear gas.

Berkeley City Council adopted a new law March 22 updating the definition of Research and Development, or R&D, in the city’s Zoning Ordinance.

Berkeley City Council approved the creation of new bus lanes, bikeways and widened sidewalks in south Berkeley at its regular meeting Tuesday. 

The Berkeley City Council determined funding allocations for fiscal year 2022 and the city’s legislative platform for next year at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Berkeley City Council sought to address a “progressive blindspot” by examining the inequities present in the city’s contracting record.