Novato interim police chief takes helm

Marin Independent Journal (San Rafael, CA)
August 13, 2012
Section: News 

Janis Mara Marin Independent Journal
Jim Berg, a 27-year veteran of Novato's police force and its new interim chief, took the helm in July amid a six-month crime decline, new law enforcement technology and a new crime-fighting team for the police department in a city where concerns about crime have persisted for years. There were 1,982 reported crimes in Novato in the first six months of this year, compared with 2,215 in the first six months of 2011, and the force recently debuted automatic license plate readers mounted on its police cars and a new four-person team focusing on street crime. 

The street crime team will use tactics including intervention and prevention, something that means a good deal to Berg personally. The 49-year-old interim chief wasn't always a model of law-abiding behavior.

"When I was 18, I liked to drive fast," he confessed during an interview at the 59-officer department's headquarters on Machin Avenue. "I was stopped by a Petaluma officer, Pat Parks. He made a deal with me that he would be less severe with the ticket if I went on a few calls with him."

After doing the ride-along, Berg decided to become a police officer.

"It just goes to show the effect you can have on someone's life. Sometimes you can turn a negative into a positive," Berg said.

And that's what he's hoping to do with the Novato Response Team. It's made up of two officers, a corporal and a management analyst, and will work with the schools as well as property managers at apartment complexes. The team, which launched in July, is funded for three years by a $1.1 million federal grant and for the fourth year by the city.

"If they work with individuals in gangs, they might be able to direct them to parks and recreation, for example, to break that cycle, similarly to how I was redirected," Berg said.

Kate Ruehle, a Hamilton resident who served as the neighborhood watch liaison for her neighborhood for years, said she feels reassured that the program is in place. Over the past year, she said, "I feel that things have really settled down."

At the same time, she said, "When you hear about a shooting in the parking lot of your local Safeway, you don't feel as safe as you used to feel," referring to a January 2011 incident in which two men were shot. While she believes the police on average have done a good job, she misses the force's crime prevention officer, a position that was cut because of budget constraints.

"When Liz Greiner was in that position, if there was a rumor going around, I could call her and get the real story. The more you know about what is really happening, the more empowering it is," Ruehle said.

"Any time we lose staff, our capacity to communicate with the public is decreased and it's incumbent upon us to fill the gap," Berg said in response. The chief plans to use social media such as Facebook to help inform the public.

Novato City Manager Michael Frank extolled Berg's accomplishments. "He has shown his work ethic, integrity and dedication to Novato time and time again. I have full confidence in his ability to lead the department during this transition."

Berg replaces former chief Joe Kreins, who retired and is currently an interim chief himself in Vallejo while that city looks for a full-time chief. Berg's interim position will be in effect up to six months; it is up to Frank to make the final decision on who will be the new chief. As to whether he's interested: "Yes, I'm interested in the position," Berg said.

Contact Janis Mara via email at jmara@marinij.com. Follow her at Twitter.com/jmara.