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Street Spirit is an independent newspaper in the East Bay dedicated to covering homelessness and poverty from the perspective of those most impacted. Est 1995.

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Street Spirit is an independent newspaper in the East Bay dedicated to covering homelessness and poverty from the perspective of those most impacted. Est 1995.

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Berkeley Copwatch

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Berkeley Copwatch is an all-volunteer organization with the goal to reduce police violence through direct observation and holding police accountable for their actions. Formed in 1990, they seek to educate the public about their rights, police conduct in the Berkeley community and issues related to the role of police in our society at large. For more information visit www.berkeleycopwatch.org.

Berkeley Copwatchers attempt to access public records

July 11, 2024
Commentary   Opinion
When police departments become more clandestine with the official records and reports, all people should wonder what might be going on behind the scenes that is causing them to do so.

Why and how to investigate when police abuse

April 2, 2024
Commentary   Opinion
Anyone can investigate the police. No special credentials are needed and, in most situations, it is completely free.

Berkeley Copwatch solidarity statement: STOP COP CITY

May 16, 2023
Commentary   Opinion
The protest around the planned construction of Cop City lands at the very heart of the current movement to defund the police.

Three months into the new year, we ask ourselves: are things getting any better?

March 1, 2023
Commentary   Opinion
A look at the progress we have made—or lack there of—as we move into the new year.

Berkeley’s Specialized Care Unit was designed to be an alternative to police—let’s keep it that way

January 7, 2023
Commentary   Opinion
As the City of Berkeley prepares to roll out the Specialized Care Unit, let’s not forget where it came from, Berkeley Copwatch writes.

Leaked texts reveal racism, anti-homelessness in BPD

December 6, 2022
Commentary   Features   Opinion
The recently leaked text messages reveal unsurprising truths and create a unique opportunity for Berkeleyans to hold their police force accountable.

Berkeley vehicle dwellers win settlement in court

November 10, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
Despite the wins in the settlement, plaintiffs have yet to receive their vehicle repair and registration stipends.

August invasion of People’s Park sparks more questions than answers

October 5, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
Berkeley Copwatch discusses the fallout of the University's August actions at People's Park.

Organizing for resistance? Know your rights

August 2, 2022
Commentary   Features   Opinion
Protest thoughtfully to keep yourself and others safe, Copwatch writes.

The time to fight for People’s Park is NOW!

July 7, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
The fight for People's Park is heating up, and the time to plug in is now, Copwatch writes.

Berkeley approved their ‘reimagining public safety’ plan. Why does it include more funding for police?

June 10, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
As Berkeley wraps up discussions of their “reimagining public safety” process, Copwatch asks, why are we continuing to fund a racist police force?

Berkeley is ‘reimagining public safety’ all wrong

May 5, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
In 2020, Berkeley committed to reimagining the role of police. Where are we in that process now?

We need compassion, not code enforcement

April 1, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
The city government works in tandem with police to enforce anti-homeless policies.

How Berkeley made it illegal to live in a vehicle

February 11, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
Here are the Berkeley laws effectively make it illegal to live in a vehicle.

Garbage pickup gone wrong: Berkeley’s Homeless Response Team

January 7, 2022
Commentary   Opinion
Berkeley provides garbage pickup to some homeless encampments, but this process is often disruptive and ends in residents losing important possessions. It doesn't have to be this way.

Encampment sweeps on the rise in Berkeley

December 9, 2021
Commentary   Opinion
Berkeley is aggressively enforcing municipal codes that make living on the street illegal, signaling a return to pre-COVID encampment management.

Misinformation about Berkeley’s ‘homeless response’

November 8, 2021
Commentary   Opinion
Berkeley Copwatch writes a response correcting the misinformation in a recent letter by the Berkeley City Manager.

New Berkeley budget takes aim at unhoused community

August 9, 2021
Commentary   Opinion
The City of Berkeley passed a one-year budget on the evening of Tuesday, June 30. Here are some of the implications.

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