Lower Crime Rate Means a Safer Summer in Berkeley

This summer is shaping up to be one of the safest of the last few years, according to the Berkeley Police Department (BPD).

Reporters from the Daily Californian spoke to PIO Sgt. Mary Kusmiss about the statistics, which show that since 2009, Part I crimes in Berkeley have show a decreasing trend in the months of May and June. Part I crimes include both violent crimes such as homicide, rape and aggravated assault and property crimes.

June 2010 saw a 21.55 percent decrease in Part I crimes from the previous year. In 2011, Part I crimes committed in June dropped by another 3.23 percent. Two types of crime, however, increased from 2009 to 2010: the number of burglaries in Berkeley went up by 9 percent, and arson cases increased by 15 percent. Overall, though, crime still went down in the city. The most dramatic decline was for rape cases, which fell by 42 percent in 2010 from the previous year.

Kusmiss told the Daily Californian that the exact cause of such a downward trend is often difficult to pinpoint. Councilmember Darryl Moore attributed the decrease in criminal activity to the diligence of the Berkeley Police Department. Read the full article on the Daily Californian's website. 

According to the BPD, the , which has also seen a drop in the last few years. In 2010, there were 615 cases of vehicle theft reported to Berkeley Police, down from 727 in 2009. 

One instance of criminal activity that has been particularly prominent this summer is the number of iPhone thefts. BPD issued an alert on July 18, stating that "crime suspects are now focusing increased attention on smartphones, especially during street robberies, the iPhone emerging as the most popular."

According to the police, this crime trend is not unique to Berkeley, "as most metropolitian areas throughout the U.S. have seen an uptrend in the numbers of smartphone and iPhones stolen."

The following guidelines were recommended by the police to avoid smartphone and iPhone theft:

• Be alert to your surroundings and people around you.
• Do not lend your phone to anyone you do not know or take it out of your purse, pocket or bag to give someone the time, if asked.
• Whenever feasible, walk, jog or travel with a friend or friends.
• Walk confidently and at a steady pace.
• Don’t talk on cell phones or listen to iPods when alone, as they significantly limit awareness.
• Be aware of locations and situations, which make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys, doorways, parking lots and stairwells.
• Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity.
• If you are the victim of a robbery, immediately call the police. An immediate report, including the suspect description, direction of flight, any associated vehicles and vehicle license plate # gives responding officers the best possible chance of locating the suspect, and ultimately making a successful case.