Parents of University of California, Berkeley students are taking safety and security around campus into their own hands. Several concerned parents of UC Berkeley students have initiated the “SafeBears Group.” Between the hours of 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., there will be six security ambassadors wearing bright colors. The ambassadors will be assigned to different areas. One of the ambassadors will be patrolling on a bike.
The SafeBears group said in a press release, “Our ambassadors will not enter university property, like Unit courtyards and the actual campus of Clark-Kerr, but will stick to public areas, including public streets and sidewalks.” According to the group, all guards have California guard cards and have undergone background checks. The guards will not carry pepper spray, batons, handcuffs or any other defensive equipment.
The group says the guards’ purpose is to be a physical deterrent as they roam the area. Guards will also escort students by request. The areas that will be under surveillance from Bancroft Way to Dwight Way for five blocks. The areas were chosen based on crime reports in the six months. The SafeBears Group has a goal of raising $300,000 for the Safe Bear fund. Currently, the group has raised close to $40,000.
KRON4 reached out to UC Berkeley regarding this story and received a statement that read in part, “Hiring private security raises a number of concerns including the training and experience of individuals hired by such firms. Further, any security effort on the campus must be coordinated with UCPD, independent of the funding source.”
The University said it was taking ongoing steps to increase campus security including implementing key card access to buildings, surveillance cameras, and dedicated on-site staff. UC Berkeley also said it was in the process of recruiting more campus police officers.
