Berkeley Weekly Update - 2/21/24

Progress on Gun Violence Prevention

Heat map of all shootings since 2017. Most shootings took place in specific areas which are identified as areas of focus for gun violence prevention efforts.

After an increase of shootings in Berkeley from 2020-2022, a statistic reflective of nationwide trends during the pandemic, 2023 saw a drastic decrease in shootings, down to pre-pandemic levels. Specifically, there were 32 incidents in 2023, a 40% drop compared to 2022. In most cases, these incidents were of shots being fired that resulted in no injuries.

In 2020, Council began to pursue a Ceasefire Program to address gun violence, a program that has been implemented in other cities such as Oakland and Stockton which has had success in reducing incidents of gun violence. In 2022, Council allocated $1 million to address rising gun violence. About six months ago, a new position in the City Manager’s Office was filled to oversee the Ceasefire Program, and will collaborate with essential stakeholders to design next steps and processes. Also last year, a report on Berkeley gun violence prevention was completed, in partnership with the Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy.

By taking a multi-pronged approach, including implementing recommendations for the Ceasefire Program, addressing the proliferation of ghost guns, and advancing regional collaboration on public safety, we anticipate to build upon the success over the past year and continue to reduce incidents of gun violence in the Berkeley community.

Improvements to Traffic Safety on MLK Jr Way

The improvements will help reduce the number of serious and fatal injuries along the major traffic corridor.

As Berkeley continues to implement its Vision Zero policies, a major milestone was achieved over the past month. The Martin Luther King Jr Way Vision Zero Quick Build Project has placed improvements along a half mile stretch of the thoroughfare at intersections from Dwight Way to Russell Street. Highlights from the first phase, which is now complete, include the installation of median refuge islands, improved lighting, roadway striping, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) among other infrastructure upgrades. These improvements will help lower incidents of speeding and failure to yield to pedestrians at crossings.

Approximately 4% of collisions on Berkeley streets result in a severe injury or fatality. Two of the main causes of such incidents are speeding and failure to yield. 91% of severe or fatal collisions occur on just 16% of City streets, such as MLK Jr Way. This segment is located in the Equity Zone, which encompasses much of West and South Berkeley. This is an area where low income residents and people of color are disproportionately impacted by traffic related injuries, which is home to 37% of City streets and 46% of severe injuries and fatalities. The City has a policy to prioritize infrastructure projects within the Equity Zone, which historically has been underfunded.

Registration Open for Summer Camps

Tuolumne Camp is a popular destination for Berkeley families, which reopened in 2022 after it was destroyed in the 2013 Rim Fire.

If you are interested in having an adventure in the Sierra Nevada mountains, registration to participate in a wide range of Summer Camps at Echo Lake Camp (near South Lake Tahoe) and Tuolumne Camp (near Yosemite) are now open. There are multiple types of programs available to accommodate multiple ages and lifestyles. Highlights include the Family Camp, for families of all ages for weeklong, weekday, and weekend camp visits; Youth Camp, a week-long opportunity for kids ages 7-14; and 50 and Better Camp, 4 or 7-day trips for older adults. Scholarships are available for qualified low-income residents which will waive 50% or 100% of fees. For more information, and to register, click here.

March 5th Primary

There are six ballot drop boxes in Berkeley to submit your election ballot.

The Primary Election for March 5, 2024 is underway and all ballots have been mailed to registered voters. If you have not yet received your ballot, contact the Alameda County Registrar of Voters at 510-272-6973 or ballot.trax@acgov.org.

The deadline to register to vote has now passed, but you can still register and vote at a vote center or the Registrar of Voters Office until 8pm on Election Day. There are nine vote centers in Berkeley, which will be open starting March 2, except for the location at 2600 Bancroft, which opens on February 24th. People can drop off their ballots anytime via mail (as long as it is postmarked by March 5) or at one of six drop boxes in Berkeley. Berkeley voters can also vote at any vote center or drop box located in Alameda County.

For more information about the upcoming election and how to vote, click here.