Another year begins!
Welcome back, Cal parents! 🎉
It’s crazy to think that another school year (2023-2024) has started and that our Bears are that much closer to graduating! And for parents of new Cal students— welcome! If you’re like me, you’re starting to realize that your student isn’t the only one on a new journey.
Having a kid at Cal puts all of us parents on the same path. It’s one filled with equal parts nervousness and excitement. Stop me when this sounds familiar:
Will my student make friends?
Are they getting enough to eat (and how’s the food, anyway?)
Are they still on the waitlist for the classes they need?
And here’s the one we wish we didn’t have to worry about:
Is my student safe?
The fact that you’re here reading this means that you’re already aware that UC Berkeley has a significantly higher amount of crime than similar schools‚ even schools located in similar urban settings. You may also know that the city of Berkeley is grappling with its largest crime wave in a decade.
There are several specific reasons for this, including a permissive approach to law and order in Alameda County, massive vacancy rates in the Berkeley and UC police departments, and more.
As parents, we want to know that our kids are going to be safe far from home— that they will continue to spread their wings and explore, but in a way that doesn’t put them at risk of being a victim of crime.
Welcome to the balancing act.
There’s an inherent tension between these feelings, and that’s ok. Many SafeBears members find that we feel better when we put those nervous feelings to work making Berkeley safer.
And what a difference we’ve made! 👀
Here’s just a few of the changes SafeBears has helped bring about since forming in the spring of 2023:
Employee signing bonuses at Berkeley police department
License Plate Readers approved for use in Berkeley
Intersection cameras approved for use in Berkeley
UC Berkeley night safety shuttles back in service
Our efforts have been recognized by the UC Berkeley administration, local media, city council, and both police agencies.
And during a meeting with UCPD Chief Pittman this month, we learned of a few more wins:
Security fence to be built around Unit 2
Hiring Residential Safety Ambassadors (security monitors) to keep residence halls safe at night
Student IDs are now being checked by those wishing to board night safety shuttles
A new Cal safety website with specific updates and tips on how to stay safe
To all the new Cal parents reading this, we want you to know that we know exactly how you feel. You’re thrilled that your kid is attending a great school like UC Berkeley, and you’re excited to see their new lives beginning to take shape. But you’re also obsessing over all the WarnMe notifications landing in your inbox every day. Maybe you’re binging news articles about just how much crime there is in Berkeley. You try to keep it positive when speaking with your Bear, but you can’t help but worry for their physical safety, and that’s something you didn’t expect.
Those of us with older kids at Cal are in the same balancing act with you. It’s part of what makes parenting a challenge at times. But we are making Cal safer, and with your help, we’ll do it even faster ⚡
Here’s a few things you can do right now:
Sign your student up for our upcoming self-defense workshop taught in Berkeley
Encourage your Bear to travel in groups at night & to take the night safety shuttles for free
Join one of our teams (school ridesharing, private security, and more)
Help us raise funds for a private security pilot program (more on this soon)
Join our private Facebook group & share safety tips with other Cal parents just like you