from the City of Berkeley Police Department 2014 Year, Issue 1 June 5, 2014 Pedestrian Robbery Trends SouthEast Commercial Burglaries PEDESTRIAN ROBBERIES TRENDING DOWNWARD 2013 2014 Auto Burglaries Awards & Recognition New Communication Center Manager Fire Safety 4th of July Who are These Suspects? Recent South Campus Robberies Since the beginning the of 2014, we have noticed a downward pattern of street robberies throughout the city. Pictured below, you can see the areas that have remain a focus of criminals since late February. ANNOUNCING OFFICER OF THE YEAR: Officer Chris Waite #20 Contact Info Full story on Page 3
Page 2 Neighborhood UPDATE SOUTHEAST COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES Since February, the Berkeley Police Department has been tracking a pattern of overnight commercial burglaries in the southeast area of the city. We recommend that business owners not leave any cash in their registers overnight (including nearby drawers/side cabinets). As an added measure, business owners are encouraged to leave their registers visibly open with a visible sign relating that there is no cash remaining on the premises. Please let us know if your group is planning on participating in National Night Out this year. Email Officer Polizziani #31 (510-981-5772) at SPolizziani@ci.berkeley.ca.us if your group is in! PATTERN OF AUTO BURGLARIES NEAR UC CAMPUS Since the beginning of May, we have noticed a pattern of auto burglaries in police beat 3 along Berkeley Way between Oxford Avenue and MLK Jr Way. Community Members who park their vehicles in the area should make an extra effort to: Lock their vehicle Park in a well lit area, and Not leave any valuables visible
2014 Year, Issue 1 Page 3 AWARDS & RECOGNITION Over the past year, Officer Waite has made significant contributions to the department as a whole in the area of tactical medicine. As one of the Department s primary first aid trainers, Officer Waite was instrumental in getting quality trauma kits in all patrol vehicles as well as training the entire department in the proper use of the kits. A few months ago, he and another officer were first on scene and provided life saving CPR to an elderly gentleman who had collapsed on a street corner. If not for his quick response and measures prior to BFD arriving, the man may not have survived. Recently Officer Waite was asked to be one of a small handful of law enforcement officers on the State of California Tactical EMS Advisory Committee (the other law enforcement personnel on this committee were all Police Chiefs showing the level of respect Officer Waite holds within the Law Enforcement medical community). For his demonstrated ability, leadership, and effort, we congratulate Officer Waite as Officer of the Year. On June 3rd, members of BPD s Special Response Team along with Lieutenant Andrew Rateaver and Officers Melissa Kelly and Ana Baber received proclamations from the Mayor and City Council at the start of the City Council Meeting. The Special Response Team (SRT) received a City Proclamation recognizing their participation and performance in the 2013 Urban Shield Training Exercise hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff s Office. BPD s SRT demonstrated their skills and abilities by placing first among the 30+ competing teams in the exercise. This is the first time Berkeley s team placed first and is the result of a multi-year effort involving many members of the Department working together with the goal of ensuring the best team possible. On December 11, 2013, the Police Review Commission also voted to recognize the Team for their accomplishment. 2013 URBAN SHIELD PARTICIPANTS: Sergeant Jennifer Louis Sergeant Spencer Fomby Sergeant Joe Okies Sergeant Sean Ross Officer Scott Castle Officer Kevin Kleppe Officer Rashawn Cummings Officer Sean Tinney
Page 4 Neighborhood UPDATE AWARDS & RECOGNITION CONT D Lieutenant Andrew Rateaver and Officers Melissa Kelly and Ana Baber received a City Proclamation from the Mayor and City Council for their heroism on May 7 th. On that date, a large fire broke out in a fenced storage area underneath the University Avenue Overpass. Lieutenant Rateaver was the first on scene, recognized the extreme danger, and requested immediate assistance. There were two men trapped inside the fenced area in close proximity to the fire. Kelly and Baber immediately responded to Lieutenant Rateaver s request. The three officers did not hesitate and, putting themselves in harm s way, pulled the two men trapped behind the fence to safety. Their actions saved the lives of the two men who could have died if they had remained trapped behind the fence. This is an excellent example of hard work, dedication and commitment to the safety of this community. NEWS FROM THE COMMUNICATION CENTER On May 27th, Monique Frost took over the management of the Police Department s Communication Center. Manager Frost is not a new employee of the Communication s Center, she has the valuable knowledge and experience of being a former dispatcher as well. If you have questions, concerns, and would like to speak with Manager Frost; you may contact her at (510) 981-5943 or send her an Email at MFrost@ci.berkeley.ca.us.
2014 Year, Issue 1 Page 5 CREATING A DEFENSIBLE SPACE FROM FIRE A defensible space breaks up the continuous path of plants that could carry wildfire to your home. And it gives firefighters a safe zone from which to fight a wildfire. It s worth your effort! 2. Dispose of trash and debris left from thinning For more information, please contact the Berkeley Fire Department s Fire Prevention Division at (510) 981-5585. HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT NIXLE? Most BPD's Nixle messages are in the "Community" category. They focus on crime prevention and are delivered via email. But subscribers to BPD's Nixle stream also receive "Advisories" and "Alerts," which are delivered via text message. Advisories typically notify recipients about events that could affect their movements around Berkeley, such as streets or areas that are shut down unexpectedly. Alerts involve situations when BPD would like the public to be aware of situations that require more immediate attention, like a missing person who is at risk. Sign-up by going to Nixle.com or click on the signup button.
Page 6 Neighborhood UPDATE EMERGENCIES 911 (Program 510-981-5911 for your cell phone) To report Non-Emergencies and to make police reports, call (510) 981-5900. 4th OF JULY CELEBRATIONS The Berkeley Police Department (BPD) and Berkeley Fire Department (BFD) wish to remind the community that ALL fireworks are illegal in the City of Berkeley. Even fireworks that are labeled Safe and Sane are PROHIBITED and pose a dangerous fire hazard. An average of seven people are killed in fireworks-related accidents every year in California don't let this terrible tragedy happen in your neighborhood. You can help keep our community safe by: Not using any type of fireworks Calling the police to report use of fireworks by others Reducing fuel sources keep grass and vegetation maintained Have fire extinguishers and garden hoses ready BPD will have extra officers working on the 4th of July, and will be Arresting and Citing violators. To notify BPD about illegal fireworks use, call (510) 981-5900.
2014 Year, Issue 1 FBI LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS LASER THREAT Page 7 One June 3rd, the FBI announced a national campaign to deter people from pointing lasers at aircraft, a federal violation that presents danger to pilots, passengers, and those on the ground. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of any individual who aims a laser at aircraft. The reward is available for 90 days in all 56 FBI field offices. Thousands of laser attacks go unreported every year. If you have information about a lasing incident, or see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call your local FBI field office (San Francisco Field Office 415-553-7400) or dial 911. Click Here to see the FBI s Press Release WHO ARE THESE SUSPECTS? On May 26th, the below suspect entered an apartment building on the 2700 block of Dwight Way and forced open several mailboxes taking several pieces of mail. (BPD Case 14-30545). On June 3rd, the above suspect took cell phones from Berkeley Wireless (1955 Ashby Avenue). BPD Case #14-32196. BPD is urging anyone who may have any information about these suspects to please call the Property Crimes Detail (510) 981-5737.
Page 8 Neighborhood UPDATE 6-2-14 2 Arrested for Armed Robbery 6-2-14 1 Arrested for Armed Robbery 5-26-14 2 juvenile suspects detained-identified for Robbery Over the past week, there have been several robberies in the South Campus. Here are some options to keep in mind while in the area: You Don t have to walk alone! -UCPD offers a Night Escort Service -UC offers a shuttle service Persons distracted by using their smart phone are more likely to be victimized. Walk with a purpose Remain alert and aware of your surroundings.
2014 Year, Issue 1 Page 9 CITY OF BERKELEY CONTACTS Animal Control (510) 981-6600 animalservices@cityofberkeley.info Berkeley Housing Authority (510) 981-5470 bha@cityofberkeley.info Code Enforcement (510) 981-2489 codeenforcement@ci.berkeley.ca.us Housing Code Enforcement (510) 981-5444 housing@ci.berkeley.ca.us COMMUNITY POLICE CONTACTS Homicide (510) 981-5741 Robbery (510) 981-5742 Domestic Violence (510) 981-5736 Internal Affairs (510) 981-5706 Property Room (510) 981-5725 Parking Enforcement (510) 981-5890 Property Crimes (510) 981-5737 Sex Crimes (510) 981-5735 Youth Services (510) 981-5715 Special Enforcement Bureau (510) 981-5818 Records/PRA Requests (510) 981-5750 Traffic Enforcement (510) 981-5980 BPD Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator: Officer Jeff Shannon #120 (510) 981-5779 JShannon@cityofberkeley.info BPD Public Information Officer: Officer Jennifer Coats #151 (510) 981-5780 JCoats@ci.berkeley.ca.us BPD Area Coordinators: Area 1 Officer Byron White #17 (510) 981-5773 BWhite@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 2 Officer Jessyca Nabozny #118 (510) 981-5778 JNabozny@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 3 Officer Stephanie Polizziani #31 (510) 981-5772 SPolizziani@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 4 Officer Rashawn Cummings #34 (510) 981-5774 RCummings@ci.berkeley.ca.us BPD Neighborhood Watch Scheduler: Jane Ortega (510) 981-5805 JOrtega@ci.berkeley.ca.us BPD Special Events Coordinator: Sergeant Spencer Fomby #S-7 (510) 981-5821 SFomby@ci.berkeley.ca.us Regional Partners: University of California Police Department (510) 642-6760 BART Crime Prevention Unit (510) 464-7052 DOWNLOADABLE INFORMATION & FORMS Area Command Map Patrol Beat Map Vacation Watch Forms "No Trespassing" Letter Neighborhood Watch Sign Request Tip: Any of these forms on the left can be faxed to (510) 981-5819 or Emailed back as an attachment to JOrtega@ci.berkeley.ca.us. Monday Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Crime, Respect, and Accountability AREA 1 LT. ANDREW RATEAVER, L4 Area Commander Community Services Bureau 2100 ML King Jr. Way Berkeley, CA, 94704 Phone: 510-981-5806 Fax: 510-981-5819 police@ci.berkeley.ca.us AREA 4 LT. DAVE FRANKEL, L7 Area Commander Ofc. Rashawn Cummings #34 RCummings@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 4 Coordinator Ofc. Byron White #17 bwhite@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 1 Coordinator AREA 2 SGT. JENN LOUIS, S12 Area Commander Michael Meehan Chief of Police Ofc. Jessyca Nabozny #118 jnabozny@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 2 Coordinator Cynthia Harris Police Captain Lynne Ohlson Business Manager Erik Upson Police Captain Andrew Greenwood Police Captain AREA 3 LT. RANDY FILES, L8 Area Commander Ofc. Stephanie Polizziani #31 spolizziani@ci.berkeley.ca.us Area 3 Coordinator Neighborhood Update is an occasional Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Newsletter focusing on crime trends and selected events occurring throughout the city. To get a complete view of crimes happening in your neighborhood, visit BPD s Community Crime View web page (http://berkeley.ca.crimeviewcommunity.com/default.aspx) or Crimemapping.com (http://www.crimemapping.com/). If you wish to receive this newsletter directly, please send an Email with your Name and Mailing address to police@ci.berkeley.ca.us. EMERGENCIES 911 (Program 510-981-5911 for your cell phone) To report Non-Emergencies and to make police reports, call (510) 981-5900. Report US Mail Crime! Mail Theft/Tampering Mailbox Vandalism Mail Fraud False Change of Address BERKELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT S ONLINE CRIME REPORTING SYSTEM http://www.cityofberkeley.info/onlinepolicereport/ You can use the system so long as: it is a non-emergency matter; There are NO known witnesses, suspects, or physical evidence; The incident occurred within the Berkeley city limits, but not on University of California property or on a freeway; You have an email address.