Half a year after a set of scandals beset the police department in Berkeley, threatening to derail the appointment of interim chief Jen Louis as the new permanent police chief, city leaders moved recently to put the episode behind them.…
Pamela Price is the new District Attorney (DA), or chief prosecutor, of Alameda County. She was just elected in November 2022, and has been in office barely half a year. She is a reformer, one of many “progressive prosecutors” across…
It’s nice to be able to highlight some good news in this issue of Berkeley Speaks! We’re very happy to report on the launch of the Specialized Care Unit, the SCU, on September 5. May this pilot project bring judgment-free,…
On the Berkeley-Oakland border, just a few feet from the HERE/THERE sign that makes gentle fun of the two cities’ self-images, is a “pocket park” called Jasper P. Driver Plaza. The streetside park has a powerful and iconic history as…
Elder tenants at Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments on Adeline are claiming the biggest victory yet in their years-long campaign for dignity and accessibility. See the press release below, explaining the importance of the City hiring a tenant advocate: “After nearly…
Berkeley Speaks recently interviewed Mr. Mokhtar Paki, Iranian-born Berkeley resident who creates beautiful public art with a positive message. Q. Mokhtar, you have created a beautiful and soulful piece of public art in Berkeley, a celebration of the struggles of…
by Tracy Rosenberg [Ed. note: these recommendations represent the opinions of the writer, and not necessarily of Berkeley Speaks.] Between now and October 15, Governor Newsom will decide the fate of numerous proposed new laws that would have big impacts…
Berkeley Speaks Editorial Comment: Three members of the Berkeley Commission on Disability have filed suit against the City for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The issue is Berkeley’s insistence…
The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) is a proposed local law that community members have worked on since 2017. It will finally come to a vote at the Berkeley City Council this fall. As this progressive housing and anti-displacement…
“The Specialized Care Unit (SCU) project aims to respond to mental health and substance use crises without the involvement of law enforcement.” Call (510) 948-0075. –City of Berkeley Health, Housing, and Community Services Department Sept. 5, 2023: The most significant outcome to…