California is facing a persistent issue of crime, exacerbated by district attorneys who fail to hold criminals accountable. In response to this, parents of students at the University of California, Berkeley have taken action. They have managed to raise $42,000 to finance private security guards who patrol the vicinity of the campus.
These guards, known as the SafeBears ambassadors, monitor sidewalks and bicycle routes adjacent to the campus, but are not allowed to enter the university’s premises. Their duties include avoiding physical altercations, documenting interactions with the public, and alerting authorities in case of serious criminal incidents. Since their deployment, the SafeBears have escorted 49 individuals, interacted with the public nine times, and provided information to 42 visitors.
While the guards have limitations in their scope of action, their recruitment alone sends a strong message to UC Berkeley and the state as a whole. Parents of students are optimistic that the university will address these concerns by bolstering the campus police force, ideally with funding from the exorbitant tuition fees.
To date, the SafeBears ambassadors have provided safety escort services to 49 people, engaged nine times with people living on the street and conveyed visitor information to 42 people.
As of Monday, they had not intervened in any disturbances. https://t.co/P7we9cidn1
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) March 19, 2024
Campus-goers have widely appreciated the increased security presence due to concerns over past incidents. Senior Salvador Bravo mentioned witnessing students being chased with knives. Despite not experiencing harm themselves, students receive emergency alerts from UC police almost daily.
However, the security program has faced criticism. Some worry about the legal liability of parents who hire private security if harm occurs. Additionally, there are concerns about the $42,000 cost for just 17 days of security. UC Berkeley law professor Jonathan Simon described the brief security as more of a stunt than a study. Nevertheless, the public’s perceived need for heightened security reflects the state of California. Data supports the concerns of UC Berkeley parents, with robberies and aggravated assaults increasing significantly between 2021 and 2022.
Interestingly, the same parents worried about rising criminal activity likely voted for the politicians allowing it. Despite the campus being predominantly liberal, with only 4 percent identifying as conservative, students and parents alike seem to want increased security measures.
