Berkeley Law is located in a busy urban setting that is not immune to crime. The following information and advice is taken directly from the UCPD website. We have copied it here for your convenience, but we encourage you to visit the UCPD site for more information and updates. If you have questions or concerns, you may contact UCPD directly at 510.642.6760.
Don’t walk alone after dark.
UCPD offers night safety services including walking escorts and shuttles to get you safely to your destination. For more information, hours, and maps of the service areas visit the BearWALK website. To request the service, call 510.642.9255 or go to the the BearWALK dispatch page where you can arrange a pick up, download the app, and track the shuttles to estimate arrival times.
If you cannot use the UCPD night safety services, remember to travel with a friend or in a group. Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid dark, vacant, or deserted areas; use well-lit, well travelled routes. Wear clothes and shoes that will not hamper movement.
If you run into trouble
If you sense you are in trouble, move away from the potential threat if possible. Join any group of nearby people. Cross the street and increase your pace.
If a threatening situation is imminent and people are close by to help, yell, scream, or make a commotion in any way you can to get their attention. Go to an open business. Call 911 from a safe location.
Don’t leave your belongings unattended.
Every year, more than $100,000 worth of property and equipment is stolen from the Berkeley campus. Wallets, purses, backpacks and laptops make up a significant percentage of these losses. Do not leave your wallet, purse, backpack, phone, laptop, tablet, or any other valuable personal property out in the open. Keep it with you or lock it up. Even if you are only stepping away for a minute. Do not leave valuables in plain sight, especially in a vehicle.
If you work in a campus office or the student center, confirm that doors, windows, and storage areas are locked when you leave. Keep your keys and student ID with you. Do not prop open doors or windows and do not leave the space open or unattended.
Secure your bike.
Bicycle theft is a common problem on college campuses, and Berkeley is no exception. Bicycles and bicycle parts, including seats and “quick release” wheels, are in high demand. Thieves are well-equipped and well-organized. The vast majority of bicycle thefts on or near campus involved bicycles that were either unlocked, improperly locked, or locked with inadequate locking devices (e.g. lightweight cables or chains, or low-quality U-lock devices).
To minimize the risk of theft: Always lock your bike to a bicycle rack. Use a high quality “U” shaped lock and avoid lightweight cables or chains, or low quality U-locks. Always lock your bike through the
frame and both wheels to a bicycle parking rack. Lock all free parts of bike or take them with you. Avoid leaving your bicycle locked outside overnight. Before leaving your bicycle, give the lock a tug to ensure it is secured. Don’t lock your bike to an object or pole that is short with no obstacle at the top (i.e. parking meter without a “head”). Thieves will see that “locked” bike and lift it off the pole, lock and all.
Licensing your bike with UCPD discourages theft and aids in identification if a stolen bicycle is recovered. UCPD also recommends that all major components be engraved with a driver’s license number or state-issued identification number. Record and save this information along with purchase receipts, manufacturer’s information, and a photograph of your bike.
The UC Parking & Transportation Department offers Secure Bicycle Parking on campus. If you have a particularly valuable bike, or you can’t risk the loss, consider applying for a space.
If your bicycle is stolen on campus, report the theft immediately to the UC Police Department. Provide the police with descriptive information, such as the serial number and license number to increase the chance of recovery. To report a bicycle theft, contact UCPD at 510.642.6760.
Know How to Report a Crime.
We hope you never need to report a crime, but if you are the victim of or witness to a crime or criminal incident, or are aware of a potential threat on campus, please report it immediately to the police. Reporting allows police to track and identify trends to prevent future crimes, can lead police to the recovery of stolen property, and reduces the likelihood that others will be harmed.
In progress
To report a crime in progress, get to a safe place and call 9-1-1. The dispatcher will want to know where you are, what happened, when it happened, and whether the crime is ongoing. Please stay on the line until help has arrived.
Not in Progress
If the crime is not in progress, call the UCPD non-emergency number at 510.642.6760. If you would like to report anonymously, you may text a brief description to CalTip (510.664.8477).
The Gender Equity Resources Center has additional information on reporting hate crimes or incidents of sexual assault or dating violence.
Additional Resources
UCPD’s Campus Safety Guidelines page has information on all of the foregoing and more, including tips on self-defense sprays, preventing identity theft, and self-defense courses.
UCPD’s Top Tips for Campus Safety
Night Safety Tips from UCPD
UCPD recommends these routes after dark. They have been identified as well lit and well travelled, making them the safest routes to use at night.