The Berkeley Scanner

The Berkeley Scanner is a standalone daily news source focused on reporting crime and public safety issues in Berkeley, California. Noticing police activity nearby? Smelling smoke? Hearing a helicopter? We’re here to uncover what’s going on. From earthquakes to power outages, we keep you informed with the latest news and essential updates. Additionally, we track significant cases as they move through the criminal justice system and report on the ongoing initiatives aimed at transforming Berkeley's methods of policing and fire safety in the future.

Local

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#425011

United States

#90662

Science and Education/Universities and Colleges

#2503

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Lewd conduct suspect arrested after Berkeley High reports

6 days ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Police arrested a man who was seen "exposing himself and engaging in a lewd act" outside Berkeley High School this week, authorities report. Principal Juan Raygoza emailed parents Thursday afternoon about the arrest. "Today we received a report of an unidentified adult community member exposing himself and engaging in a lewd act in front of a group of BHS students off campus during 4th period near Allston Way and Harold Way," he wrote.
Fire tears through East Bay Media Center overnight

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A large fire destroyed the East Bay Media Center in downtown Berkeley overnight, prompting evacuations of nearby buildings, according to early reports. Someone called 911 shortly after 3 a.m. to report a couch on fire outside the building, at 1939 Addison St. west of Milvia Street, according to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner. Berkeley police and firefighters responded quickly and found an active fire underway. Send tips and photos to The Scanner.
Man struck by Amtrak train in Berkeley

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A man survived despite jumping in front of a train near the Berkeley Amtrak station Sunday, authorities report. The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. near the Amtrak station, which is located at 700 University Ave. west of Fourth Street. Authorities said witnesses saw the man get run over. The train conductor reported the incident to police. "He is alive but needs help," a dispatcher reported over the radio.
Berkeley police evacuate building due to possible bomb

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Berkeley police are advising community members to avoid the 1700 block of University Avenue due to a suspicious package that could be a bomb. Authorities sent out a Nixle alert just before 12:30 p.m. to announce the discovery, which officers found in the area of Sunday morning's police shooting, which left a man in critical condition.
Man in critical condition after Berkeley police shooting

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Police shot a man in Berkeley on Sunday morning following reports of a domestic disturbance involving a woman screaming for help, authorities report. BPD said an officer shot the man, a 33-year-old Berkeley resident, after he came outside with a firearm and failed to respond to efforts to negotiate with him. Just before publication, BPD confirmed to The Scanner that the woman who had been with the resident was safe.
Berkeley's Civic Center Park encampment has been removed

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

In recent weeks, 16 people who had been staying in Berkeley's Civic Center Park agreed to move into housing and the tents that dotted the west side of the park have been removed, officials said. Councilman Igor Tregub, who represents downtown Berkeley, provided an update on the encampment in an email to constituents Thursday. Tregub credited the city's Homeless Response Team for doing the recent work and thanked community members, as well, for sharing input at a town hall meeting in late February.
Berkeley apartment fire closes MLK at Channing Way

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Firefighters put out an apartment fire in central Berkeley that may have displaced one resident Thursday evening, authorities report. As of publication time, the fire's cause remained unknown pending investigation by the Berkeley Fire Department. Callers alerted authorities to the fire shortly before 7 p.m., according to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner. "I've got a panicked male on the line with a female saying she can't breathe," a dispatcher advised.
Berkeley robbery detectives make 3 arrests in 'major cases'

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A fingerprint match and "other key evidence" helped police close an investigation into a takeover robbery at Dream Fluff Donuts and a grand theft case from a nearby gas station last year, authorities report. On Thursday, police shared an update in the case, including photographs and an arrest The Scanner had been asking about in recent weeks. Berkeley police said the arrests helped nearby agencies close some of their cases as well, but did not provide additional detail.
Man, 80, strangled during random attack on College Ave.

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Police arrested an Oakland man Wednesday after he attacked an elderly stranger who had come to Berkeley for lunch to celebrate his 80th birthday, authorities report. The incident happened in the popular, typically safe Claremont shopping district on College Avenue. Shortly before noon, a woman flagged down Berkeley police to stop the attack, which was underway at College and Alcatraz avenues. Read more about crime by neighborhood in Berkeley.
Teen stabbed in Berkeley, assailants flee on scooters

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A 17-year-old boy was stabbed Wednesday night on his way home from a workout in southwest Berkeley, according to preliminary reports. The teenager was walking home from the gym on San Pablo Avenue when two other teenagers — both strangers — confronted him and stabbed him, according to emergency dispatches. The assailants, who may have worn masks and fled on scooters, were described as Black, 15 or 16 years old, 5 foot 3 and 5 foot 5, with heavy builds.