Cal students just got a lot safer thanks to the administration’s bold action

On the night of January 3, 2024, UC Berkeley shut down the block around People’s Park and walled it off with custom double-stacked shipping containers. Homeless individuals living in the park were offered free housing by the administration, and the vast majority accepted.

The containers were custom built with limited access gates and lighting, and UCPD, UC Berkeley police, and hundreds of mutual aid officers worked together to ensure the transformation of the park proceeded in a safe, orderly manner. The park remains under 24-hour security surveillance, with private security officers stationed around the perimeter.

For years, the administration has attempted to reclaim its property to construct badly-needed student housing, but has been blocked by sizable protests and legal challenges from local community groups. The case now sits before the California Supreme Court and a hearing date is expected later this spring.

SafeBears president Sagar Jethani had an opportunity to see the walled-off block during a recent visit to UC Berkeley, and was struck by the dramatic transformation of the entire neighborhood:

“It’s hard to describe just how big of a difference this makes in terms of increasing safety for all residents of the South Side. During my brief tour of the neighborhood, I saw families out pushing strollers, young people jogging, and other signs of life that simply weren’t there before the university took action.

Unfortunately, a significant amount of attacks against students over the years have come from individuals experiencing addiction and untreated mental illness living in People’s Park and around the South Side. Cal students and others living and working in the South Side just got a lot safer thanks to the administration’s courageous efforts.”

Community and student organizations have strongly criticized the closure of People’s Park, and while there’s still work to be done, Cal students and others living and working in the South Side just got a lot safer thanks to the administration’s courageous efforts.