Councilmember Susan Wengraf
Newsletter #77

June 5, 2020
Dear Friends and Neighbors,

== I write today with a heavy heart with the realization that racial inequality and oppression are still alive in our country. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 th is one more reminder that our country is sick, infected with hatred and racism. Covid-19 is not the only epidemic we are experiencing. I share in the grief, I feel the anger, and I stand in solidarity with the demonstrators who are demanding real change. I commit to doing all I can to ensure equal treatment under the law in all aspects of our government for all people.

== In the coming weeks, as the Chair of the Public Safety Policy Committee, I will be working with the Mayor and Police Chief on measures that will clarify the use of force policies that we have in place for our Police Department. I will identify any rules or policies that need amendments, holding our Berkeley Police to the highest possible standards.

== Prior to the heinous events of the past week, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a Police Accountability Charter Amendment to be put on the ballot in 2020 to update the current regulations and set up a robust Police Accountability Board to provide independent oversight to our Police Department. Here in Berkeley, we are far ahead of most cities in terms of equitable policing policies, even though there is always room for improvement.
 
== The challenges we are dealing with now are unprecedented. The pandemic, the budget crisis, the issues of racial injustice, the lack of leadership at the federal level, their disregard for the rule of law and moral bankruptcy . . . I could go on and on.
 
== On a positive note, I have posted the video of the Fire Safety Zoomposium on YouTube for all to see. I hope that you find it informative and interesting, and that you are motivated to take some action on your property to mitigate the possibility of yet another crisis.
 
== Also, the 2 nd phase of work is starting on our Rose Garden. You are all invited to participate in the virtual groundbreaking. To see this work progressing is very exciting!

== Be safe,
Berkeley Rose Garden Groundbreaking
Shine A Light For Racial Justice
== This Monday we are calling upon the Berkeley community to take a collective action of solidarity by going outside and shining a light.
 
== This action is simple, allows for social distancing, and sends a message that even in the darkest times, our collective light will shine through.
 
WHAT: Vigil for George Floyd and Victims of Police Violence
WHEN: Monday, June 8, 9pm
WHERE: Outside Your Home
More on COVID-19
== New, updated information about the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here for Berkeley, and here for Alameda County.

== Berkeleyside is another excellent source of current information about the pandemic in Berkeley
Fire Preparedness Zoomposium Video Now Available
== You can watch the complete virtual meeting about fire prevention strategies in Berkeley that was held Thursday, May 28th, by clicking here .
Berkeley Relief Fund
== The City Council unanimously voted to create a Berkeley Relief Fund with $3 million in City funds to support low-income residents, small businesses, and non-profit arts organizations impacted by COVID-19.

== The council is encouraging residents to contribute to this fund. I urge you to join me in making a donation of any amount to this important cause. To date, we have raised over $680,000 from the community. More than 1,000 small businesses applied for relief funds. The need is very great. I thank you for your generosity.
Emergency Notifications
== AC Alert  will be Berkeley's primary emergency alerting system for the public. It is one of the tools the City of Berkeley uses to communicate emergency information and instructions to the community. AC Alert can send:
  • Voice alerts to phones
  • SMS text messages
  • Email
  • TTY/TDD messages
   Listed AT&T "land lines" are automatically included to receive voice messages from AC Alert for emergency warnings. Community members must  sign up  to receive voice or text alerts on cell phones, VoIP phones, unlisted phones, TTY/TDDs or through email.

   If you want to receive emergency alerts and updates,  sign up  for AC Alert.
311
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  • Have a favorite pothole you want filled?
  • Want to report illegal dumping?

CALL 311
Susan Wengraf
Berkeley City Council District 6
(510) 981-7160