(NewsNation) — Parents of University of California, Berkeley students launched a pilot program to track safety and security around campus, where parents said a higher number of crimes are committed against college students.
SafeBears raised more than $40,000 to hire six private security ambassadors to patrol an area near the campus. Between 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., ambassadors patrol different areas, with one patrolling on a bike. They’re informally known as “yellow jackets” due to their bright uniforms.
“Our ambassadors will not enter university property, like Unit courtyards and the actual campus of Clark-Kerr, but will stick to public areas, including public streets and sidewalks,” the organization said in a press release.
Sagar Jethani, one of the organization’s co-founders, told NewsNation that UC Berkeley is rated the second most dangerous college campus in America.
“We regularly hear about violent attacks against students, including sexual assaults, armed robberies, carjackings, and dangerous intruders entering the housing units where students live,” he said.
He said students have had to “barricade” themselves inside their apartments while intruders are outside their doors, and as a parent with two children attending the university it “fills you with a lot of concern for their wellbeing.”
The organization said all ambassadors carry California guard cards and have undergone background checks. Ambassadors won’t carry pepper spray, batons, handcuffs, or any other defensive equipment.
The group says the guards’ purpose is to be a physical deterrent as they roam the area. Guards will also escort students by request.
The areas under surveillance are from Bancroft Way to Dwight Way for five blocks, NewsNation affiliate KRON reports. The areas were chosen based on crime reports in the six months.
The pilot program will end March 23.
The university said it was taking ongoing steps to increase campus security including implementing key card access to buildings, surveillance cameras, and dedicated on-site staff. UC Berkeley also said it was in the process of recruiting more campus police officers.