BERKELEY, Calif.—The University of California, Berkeley Police Department and the Berkeley Police Department are joining forces to cut down on crime and violence on campus.
An officer from each department will team up and patrol the campus streets from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, reports the Contra Costa Times. Additionally, the joint patrol will work directly with the UC Center for Student Conduct and Community Standards, meaning that students cited by campus or city police will have their information sent to the center for potential disciplinary action within three days.
The collaboration is a result of a spike in violence, sexual assaults and homicides in recent years on the south side of the campus. The partnership is expected to improve coordination between the two departments and improve communication with students and residents who live near the campus.
Furthermore, officers will be in charge of alcohol enforcement. Students caught drinking who are under the legal age limit, using false identification, publicly possessing open containers of alcohol, displaying public drunkenness or throwing large, unruly parties that cause disturbances will face fines from $750 to $2,500.
