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Councilmember Susan Wengraf
Newsletter #38
April, 2014 |
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Dear friends and neighbors, Lots of important issues are being discussed at City Council, including minimum wage changes, ballot measures for November, and redistricting of Council boundaries. These are challenging topics and deserve a balanced and thoughtful approach. In this newsletter you will read that the Police Department is reaching out to residents with a survey and a community meeting to get feedback on police beat configurations. The community meeting will be an opportunity to ask your questions and get answers. Last week Council received the Annual Crime Report from the Police Department and I have included a link to the full report so you can see the graphs and maps detailing the type and frequency of crime throughout the city. Recent news of earthquakes in Northern California, Los Angeles, and Chile remind us to take emergency preparedness here seriously. The City is sponsoring a fair with emphasis on how to prepare children and pets. Please take advantage of this opportunity. 
Included in this newsletter is information about:
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Police Beat Analysis
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The Berkeley Police Department is currently undertaking a review of its beat structure to ensure that the most efficient and effective police service is being provided to those who live, work and visit the City of Berkeley. The Matrix Consulting Group has been retained to conduct a study of police patrols and make recommendations to optimize deployment of field personnel based on current data.
It is very important that you fill out and return the survey to let the Matrix Consulting Group know your concerns. The last question provides an opportunity to give a more in depth answer than a "yes"/"no" response. Please return your survey by April 11th. It only takes a minute or two to participate. To fill out the survey click here.
Please mark your calendars!
Community Meeting on Police Patrols
When: Thursday, May 15th at 7:00 pm
Where: Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda
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Emergency Preparedness Fair
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Kids growing up in earthquake country need a disaster-prepared household. Pet owners need to know how to keep pets safe in a disaster. At this FREE community-wide event, we invite people at all levels of preparedness to take steps towards emergency readiness for their whole family. You'll find family friendly activities, tips and information, on-site training, and interactive demonstrations of safety resources available to you in our community. There will be a showcase of emergency vehicles, prizes, kids' activities, a blood drive and more. Join families, kids, pets, schools, community organizations and businesses, and people of all ages to have fun, celebrate our community's resilience and protect those you love by getting ready together! |
When:
| Saturday, April 26, 2014, 10:00 AM to 2:00PM | |
Where:
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North Berkeley BART Station, 1750 Sacramento St. (at Virginia St.), Berkeley
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Cost:
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Free
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2013 Crime Report
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At the City Council meeting on March 25th, we received an overview report from the Police Department on crime in Berkeley for 2013. The good news is that despite an increase in violent crimes in the Bay Area, Berkeley's violent crime has decreased, and all four homicides in 2013 have been successfully closed.
The bad news is that although violent crime decreased, property crime and pedestrian robbery motivated by cell phones and other electronics continue to be a serious problem. Most of the pedestrian robberies are concentrated on the southside of campus and in the downtown. Police caution citizens to keep cell phones out of sight when walking around town.
Open or unlocked doors and windows accounted for 45% of the residential burglaries. Police urge residents to make sure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when you depart your home.
The complete 2013 crime report is here.
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Library Branch Out
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Branch Out: Celebrating Our 21st Century Library system
THIS APRIL we celebrate the REOPENING of four new modern library branches. JOIN US for a month long celebration this April, for a FULL CALENDAR of free events and activities to inspire all ages, including after-hour musical events, author talks, art shows, and much more. We hope you'll sample a variety of events, and check out each of our wonderful library branches, which now provide more light and air, additional community spaces and seating, dedicated teen rooms, widened aisles, and more. We invite you to discover the breadth of events and activities we offer every day year-round, too.
Find all of the events planned for April here, including those just recently added.
Download our Branch Out Event Guide for information about our special events and activities.
Download our Special Events for Kids Calendar.
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Rose Garden Area Closed
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Sadly, our under- maintained parks are deteriorating due to lack of resources.
Last week the Parks Department discovered that a huge supporting beam of the Maybeck designed pergola structure in the Rose Garden had fallen. The Rose Garden pergola and the pathway underneath it will be closed to the public indefinitely due to safety concerns. City staff will be evaluating the structural integrity of the facility in the near future. Most other areas can be accessed using alternative paths.
If you have further questions, call 981-6700 or email the parks department.
The City Council is considering putting an item on the November ballot for improvement of parks and recreational facilities. We will be discussing this further at our Council meetings in May.
If you have any interest in helping to raise funds specifically for the repair and maintenance of the Rose Garden, please call my office at 981-7160.
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Susan Wengraf
Berkeley City Council District 6
510-981-7160
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