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.

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Driver found guilty in vehicular manslaughter of Julia Elkin

6 days ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

The 86-year-old artist who struck conservationist Julia Elkin while driving in the Berkeley Hills last year was found guilty this week of vehicular manslaughter. On Wednesday, a judge found Buldan Seka guilty of the misdemeanor as part of a negotiated settlement in which Seka gave up her license. If Seka complies with the terms of the deal, the criminal case against her will be dismissed in a year in a process known as deferred entry of judgment. A civil suit may still be brought against her.
Authorities investigate RV trailer fire in Berkeley

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

An RV trailer went up in flames Sunday night on Seventh Street in northwest Berkeley. One caller alerted the Berkeley Fire Department to a possible structure fire after seeing smoke and fire from a few blocks away just before 9:50 p.m.Other callers said they were concerned about a nearby tree and RV in addition to a commercial building on the block. "We have one [reporting party] saying it's a tree next to a building and another saying a trailer is exploding," a dispatcher told police.
Berkeley police find missing boy, 6, reading in toy shop

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Berkeley police found a missing child Monday in the bookstore of a popular local toy shop, authorities report. The kindergartener grabbed some paint when he left his school in North Berkeley and proceeded to walk a mile to get to the toy store, police said. Officers began looking for the 6-year-old around 2 p.m. when a teacher at Washington Elementary said she hadn't been able to find him since 1:30 p.m., according to radio traffic reviewed by The Scanner.
UC Berkeley stabbing: Exclusive new details

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A young man was stabbed in a UC Berkeley parking lot while enjoying the view with his girlfriend Saturday night, authorities report. Police say they are looking into reports that a disgruntled ex may have been responsible but had not verified those details as of Monday morning. The victim was reportedly stabbed more than a dozen times. Neither he nor his girlfriend, who are in their 20s, are affiliated with UC Berkeley, authorities said.
CHP chase in Berkeley leads to arrest, evacuations due to grenade reports

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Authorities have asked community members to avoid a busy block in North Berkeley following a CHP chase that led to an arrest and reports of a grenade. Police are evacuating the area following reports the suspect who was being chased dropped one or more grenades out of the vehicle during the pursuit. The Scanner is working to learn more. Send tips and photos to The Scanner.
Another Berkeley stabbing under investigation

1 week ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Police are investigating a stabbing this week in Berkeley that sent a man to Highland Hospital. As of publication time, the circumstances of the incident remained hazy due to conflicting reports and the ongoing investigation. The Berkeley Fire Department was dispatched to the Dorothy Day House shelter at 1931 Center St. at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday for a medical emergency. Arriving firefighters found a man who was bleeding from the face and arm, and described him over the radio as uncooperative.
Home invasion suspect arrested after using extinguisher on cops

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A man with a fire extinguisher who broke into a Berkeley woman's home Wednesday was arrested after turning the extinguisher on police, authorities say. The Elmwood resident called BPD around 6:40 p.m. to report a home invasion that had just occurred in the 2600 block of Derby Street near College Avenue, according to radio dispatches reviewed by The Scanner. The suspect, who was armed with a fire extinguisher, had broken her door and was still in the area, she said.
Berkeley ceasefire vote splits City Council and community

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A Berkeley City Council meeting ended in chaos Monday night, as an unruly crowd chanted "no justice, no peace" and a protester declared ominously that "future generations will remember this day."The special meeting — focused on dueling ceasefire resolutions related to the Israel-Gaza War — may have taken the prize for the longest public comment period, lasting more than 5 hours, followed by the pithiest council discussion: Officials spoke for less than 30 minutes before taking action.
Stalker reports alarm neighbors of homeless camp at city park

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

A man linked to a spate of crime reports in and around Ohlone Park is back in jail this week after police say he violated a court order keeping him out of the area. Steven Hall, who had set up camp in Ohlone Park, has been arrested repeatedly in Berkeley in recent months — on suspicion of stalking and harassing women, sexual battery, soliciting lewd conduct and other crimes, according to public records.
With $27M deficit looming, Berkeley adopts hiring freeze

2 weeks ago | berkeleyscanner.com | Emilie Raguso

Faced with a $27 million general fund deficit in the coming fiscal year, the city of Berkeley has suspended most hiring through mid-2026. On Thursday, city officials received a sobering report about the budget and the new hiring freeze, which went into effect this week. The meeting, of the City Council's Budget & Finance policy committee, marked the official kickoff to Berkeley's budget season, which runs through June 30.