A group of concerned parents at UC Berkley, under the nonprofit organization SafeBears, raised $40,000 to hire unarmed security guards to monitor city streets around the California campus due to rising crime concerns. The pilot program, launched on March 6, includes six security guards from Streetplus patrolling five routes around the campus from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. The guards will be on foot and bicycle, equipped with radios to call the Berkeley Police Department if necessary. The organization emphasized that the guards will not carry defensive equipment, but will act as a deterrent to any threats against students, and can call for backup if needed. They will also be available to escort students to other areas upon request.
SafeBears worked with Streetplus, a contractor with experience providing security services in crime-ridden areas like Oakland and San Francisco, to implement the security program. The organization stressed that the guards will only provide physical deterrence, and will not have pepper spray, batons, handcuffs, or other defensive equipment. The spokesperson from UC Berkeley expressed concerns about the private security initiative, citing the importance of coordinating with the university police department and maximizing funding towards hiring more sworn or non-sworn UCPD officers for regular safety response efforts. The campus believes in a holistic approach to campus safety, and encourages parents who want to donate funds for additional security to do so through a university-established fund. The spokesperson cautioned against prioritizing private security over hiring sworn officers for campus safety.
The decision to hire security guards was made in response to parents and community members expressing frustration over rising crime rates in the area surrounding UC Berkeley. SafeBears, established in 2022, raised $40,000 by the end of 2023 to launch the pilot program, aiming to provide a sense of security for students and deter potential threats against them. The organization emphasized that the security guards will serve as a protective presence, equipped with radios for communication. By offering this service, SafeBears aims to address concerns about safety and provide a proactive measure to ensure the well-being of students in the community. The guards are tasked with monitoring designated routes around the campus during evening and early morning hours.
The pilot program launched by SafeBears in collaboration with Streetplus marks a proactive step towards enhancing safety in the vicinity of UC Berkeley. The security guards, hired to patrol the area on foot and by bicycle, are not armed with defensive equipment but are prepared to call for assistance from Berkeley Police Department if the situation escalates. SafeBears highlighted the importance of a physical deterrence against potential threats and emphasized the guards’ role in ensuring the safety of students. Along with providing escorts upon request, the guards will maintain a visible presence to discourage criminal activities and create a safer environment for the campus community. The initiative demonstrates a collective effort by concerned parents and community members to address safety concerns and prioritize the well-being of students at UC Berkeley.
The spokesperson from UC Berkeley acknowledged the parents’ initiative to enhance security with private guards but raised valid concerns about the coordination of security efforts with the university police department. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to campus safety, the spokesperson emphasized the importance of utilizing university funds to hire additional UCPD officers for daily response efforts. The campus believes in prioritizing the hiring of sworn or non-sworn officers over private security, advocating for a unified and effective safety strategy. By establishing a university fund for donations towards campus security, UC Berkeley aims to ensure a coordinated and sustainable approach to enhancing safety measures and safeguarding the campus community. The campus encourages a partnership with law enforcement agencies to optimize safety efforts and promote a secure environment for students, faculty, and staff.
