“A UC Berkeley police officer and a Berkeley police officer will each team up in two squad cars to patrol the streets from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. More teams will be out before and after home football games.
Violence, sexual assault, and homicides have taken place on the south side of campus in recent years. Between fall of 2008 and February 2009, a man, who was never caught, sexually assaulted 19 women when he approached them from behind and lifted their skirts. Last month, 21-year-old Nicholas Bailey was found dead in a parking lot across the street from People’s Park. Police are still investigating whether his death was an accident or a slaying.”
*****
“Berkeley police shot and killed a gun-wielding suspect after he pointed his weapon at them at the end of a chase, authorities said today.
Three Berkeley police officers shot and killed the suspect near 8th and Camelia streets at about 11 p.m. Monday, authorities said.
The incident began in Albany when officers there tried to stop the suspect in a car, authorities said. The man may have been involved in a hit-and-run crash, police said.
The suspect refused to stop, leading Albany police on a chase that ended up in Berkeley, where he ran from the car near San Pablo Avenue and Jones Street, authorities said.”
*****
How many chases that result in death will the BPD need before they change their tactics?
Many CWers were out in the East Bay on March 4. Several were among those arrested on the 880. I’ve been really busy lately, so I’m just now getting around to putting this stuff up on the site. Anyway, here are videos shot by protesters and news crews:
You can also watch the amazing events at UC Davis here.
“UCPD Chief Mitch Celaya said that the department is preparing to be able to deal with a variety of potential scenarios.
“We’re bringing in additional staffing,” he said. “We’ll have some strategies in place to allow us to respond to picketing or marching or rallies or even possible sit-ins or building takeovers.”
Berkeley police Lt. Andrew Greenwood said the Berkeley Police Department is aware of the scope and potential of the upcoming demonstrations and that “there’s significant planning under way.”"
*****
Can we imagine a scenario where the state spent more time and money figuring out how to respond to inter-personal violence with justice, love, and victims services than suppressing popular revolt? Can we imagine a scenario in which the resources of the state were transformed into instruments of personal and communal creativity and self-fulfillment rather than repressive repressive instruments of violence and control? Can we imagine a scenario in which the systems of state and capitalist violence and oppression became the targets of cops – when the batons cracked the skulls of AIG corporate bosses?
Here’s to the new possibilities that will be opened up on March 4!
“J. Hadley Louden says he was marching down Telegraph Avenue during the 2009 Mardi Gras parade, “wearing a large set of drums and cymbals on a harness around his upper body and strapped over his shoulders and around his waist; and he was smoking a hand-rolled marijuana cigarette, for which he had a doctor’s prescription.”
…
He claims a Berkeley cop, “Kelley,” “approached him and demanded the cigarette. Plaintiff bridled, explaining that his possession was legal and turned away,” according to the complaint in Alameda County Court.”
Here is a picture of BPD officers “protecting and serving”. This man, according to witnesses on the scene. was the victim of a violent assault by two men on January 14th on Telegraph Ave. near Dwight Way. Police did not interview the witnesses we spoke with, perhaps because they were homeless. The witnesses said that the man had allowed police to handcuff him at first because the police said it was “just routine”. This account was recently confirmed by another witness.
When the man realized that he was being arrested, he began to scream and yell. Mobile Crisis Unit was called to the scene, but they left before the man was transported. Berkeley Ambulance arrived and did not provide medical assistance even though the man’s hand was injured. It was believed that the man was on parole and was scared that he would be sent back to prison. That is why he became angry and started yelling and spitting.
After the ambulance was turned away, officers sort of tossed the man into the back of a BPD police van. It is hard to believe that they had any idea of the man’s underlying health conditions, whether he was on drugs etc.
These officers were so proud of their work that they refused to identify themselves or the arresting officer. As of a week after the incident, police have yet to provide a copy of his police report OR ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE. I , for one, want to know what happened to this man. Police will not even release his name despite my Public Records Act request.
“Daschel Butler, Berkeley’s retired police chief, will be appointed BART’s interim police chief while the transit district conducts a nationwide search for a new chief, the agency announced Tuesday.
Butler, who retired after 12 years as Berkeley’s chief in 2002, is expected to take charge in mid-January after completing state requirements. He’s replacing Chief Gary Gee, who announced he would retire earlier in the year after drawing criticism for the department’s handling of the Oscar Grant shooting early New Year’s Day. His last day is today.”
“For the first time, amplified sound permits will be required for all amplification, including bullhorn use by labor unions and protest groups (13.40.030(A)).
At the present time, a written warning of a noise violation must be given and 15 minutes allowed to correct the violation before an arrest. The new ordinance requires only a verbal warning and no time period before an arrest. (13.40.030(D))
In addition to the amplified sound permit, a second permit must be obtained from the social planning department whenever any object is placed on the sidewalk during an event (13.40.100 (B 6). This could also affect homeless people who place any object on the sidewalk. “It is unlawful for any person to place….anywhere upon any sidewalk or roadway, any object…” (14.48.170)”
*****
Every credible intelligence agency on the planet (and many a non-credible agency) is expecting mass civil unrest as the current world-wide economic disaster continues to unfold. What’s been happening at UCB may just be the tip of a massive iceberg – preparing to sink the Titanic of global capitalism. How do the powers-that-be plan to respond? I think the UC occupations are a testament to what we can expect. This law just paves the way to shut down and repress popluar organizing and street protest and, of course, to brutalize and kidnap those who engage in it.
“Two weeks prior to retiring on Sept 24th, Chief Douglas Hambleton unilaterally rescinded Berkeley Police General Order “A-1″, which tells police officers to use the “least intrusive action… when possible.” General Order A-1 is the difference between being harassed, cuffed, and taken to the station for jay-walking, or simply being ticketed for jay-walking. It’s the difference between a night or two in Berkeley jail for an open container, or being ticketed for an open container. The recension was done without the knowledge or consent of Berkeley City Council, or the Berkeley Police Commission.”
*****
One is left to wonder the usefulness of an oversight body that could be deceived and generally ignored in this decision. What is the Berkeley Police Commission supposed to be doing if not monitoring issues like these? Further, what is the meaning of the rescinding of this General Order? How is the public supposed to interpret this if not as an indication that police should be invading their lives? A nod and wink from the chief, and…
