A group of disgruntled parents at the University of California, Berkeley has raised $40,000 to hire unarmed security guards to monitor the streets around the California campus as concerns continue to rise in crime. .
Parents and community members from Safe Bears, a nonprofit organization founded in 2022, have raised $40,000 in late 2023 to launch a pilot program to bring security guards to neighborhoods surrounding the University of California.
The SafeBears pilot program began on March 6, the organization said. in release.
Six security guards from private contractor Street Plus patrol five routes around the campus on foot and bicycle every day from 6:30pm to 3am.
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Safe Bears hired security guards to patrol the University of California, Berkeley and surrounding areas at night for several weeks, hoping this would increase campus activity and inspire similar programs. (Courtesy of Safe Bears)
According to the Safe Bears website, the organization’s leaders said they worked with private contractors in the final stages of the program.
The group said the private contractor was working to provide security services to high-crime areas such as Oakland and San Francisco.
Entrance sign for the University of California, Berkeley, at the corner of Oxford Street and Center Street in Berkeley, California. (St. Petersburg)
Safe Bears said its guards will not carry weapons while on patrol, but will have radios available to call the Berkeley Police Department if necessary.
“Street+ Ambassadors do not carry pepper spray, batons, handcuffs or other protective equipment,” the website states.
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“Their role is to provide a physical deterrent against any threats to students. If students encounter a situation that they feel is escalating, they have radios and other ambassadors “You can ask for assistance,” the website states. “We also have a point of contact at the Berkeley Police Department in case the situation becomes more serious.”
Safe Bears said security guards can also escort students to other areas upon request.
UC Berkeley students walk through Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus on April 17, 2007 in Berkeley, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the University of California, Berkeley, told Fox News Digital that they were concerned about the initiative and cited the campus’ own efforts to keep people safe.
“Employing private security guards raises a number of concerns, including the training and experience of the personnel employed by such companies,” the spokesperson warned. “Additionally, on-campus security efforts must be coordinated with UCPD, regardless of funding source.”
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A spokesperson disputed that the funds would be best used elsewhere.
“We believe that university funds would be better spent on hiring more sworn and non-sworn UCPD officers for standard day-to-day response activities. Those who wish to donate funds to strengthen campus security can do so through a fund established by the university,” the spokesperson wrote, adding, “We prefer private security over the employment of sworn officers. We do not believe it should be a priority. Additionally, we need a holistic approach to campus safety, and this is the most effective approach.”
Fox News’ Alexander Hall contributed to this report.
