Virtual roundtable explores intersection of light, peace, sustainability
David McAllister/Staff
At a virtual roundtable Sunday, The Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism in Berkeley celebrated the International Day of Light. Roundtable host Mina Karimabadi asked panelists how light and peace are connected.
The Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi, or MTO, Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism in Berkeley celebrated the International Day of Light on Sunday with a virtual roundtable discussion on light, peace and sustainability.
MTO is a global nonprofit with more than 30 centers around the world that teaches Sufi meditation, according to event co-host and MTO student Margarita Gallagher. Guest speakers at the discussion included Terry Taplin, Berkeley City Council member; Jan Kirsch, climate activist at 350 Bay Area; Manohar Croke, U.S. Esogetic Colorpuncture Institute director; and Stephanie Johnson, California State University Monterey Bay visual art professor.
City auditor reports on police audit to Berkeley City Council
David McAllister/Staff
At a Berkeley City Council meeting Tuesday, Jenny Wong, city auditor, reported the results of an audit of police response data. In response, the City Council discussed the findings and how they should inform the ongoing process to reform the city s law enforcement practices.
Last Updated 8 hours Ago
Berkeley City Auditor Jenny Wong reported the results of an audit of police response data to the Berkeley City Council during its regular meeting Tuesday.
Initiated by the City Council as part of the “reimagining public safety” omnibus package passed in July 2020, the audit assessed the characteristics of police calls for service and the volume of calls related to homelessness or mental health emergencies, among other information. Following the report, the City Council discussed how the findings should inform the ongoing process to reform Berkeley’s law enforcement practices.
Berkeley City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday limiting the use of militarized equipment, which can be utilized for the purpose of crowd control.
The legislation will set parameters for when equipment of a military nature can be used, according to Councilmember Kate Harrison. The measure would also require police to report whenever these weapons are used or deployed.
“Right now we don’t have information or data on the use of these weapons,” Harrison said at the meeting. “The ordinance, in a nutshell, is that we set the general use parameters and we get an annual report on how the equipment was used and in what neighborhoods.”
Ashby, North Berkeley BART housing developments aim for affordability
Ryan Kendrick/Staff
A $53 million housing investment around the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations was approved by Berkeley City Council. According to Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín, Berkeley has a memorandum of understanding with BART to reach “35% affordability at both sites.
Last Updated May 3, 2021
Berkeley City Council approved a $53 million investment in building housing around the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations to ameliorate the city’s long-standing affordable housing crisis.
BART will leverage this investment to secure greater federal and state funding for the project, Rebecca Saltzman, vice president of the BART Board of Directors added.
US Department of Justice finds potential mental health system violations
Lisi Ludwig/File
The U.S. Department of Justice published a report April 22 after conducting an investigation into Alameda County’s mental care system. The investigation was conducted in Santa Rita Jail, John George Psychiatric Hospital, among other facilities and care homes.
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Following an investigation into Alameda County’s mental care system, the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, issued a report April 22 detailing potential constitutional violations.
The investigation began in 2017 and covered Santa Rita Jail, John George Psychiatric Hospital and other facilities and care homes. The county allegedly failed to provide adequate mental health services and violated prisoners’ rights with prolonged restrictive housing, according to the report.