Council Punts Tear Gas Vote After Hours of Unanimous Public Opposition
City Council • BerkeleySeptember 15, 2026
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Berkeley's council ran headlong into the clock Tuesday night after every public commenter opposed lifting the city's 2020 ban on police tear gas, pepper spray, and smoke grenades. The marathon session — consumed by four-plus hours of testimony on Items 21a and 21b — ended without council deliberation when a motion to extend past midnight failed 5-4, forcing the high-stakes vote to a special meeting Sept. 29.
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- Commercial vacancy strategy referred to city manager but criticized as lacking deadlines and accountability
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