The following originally aired on KCBS.

By Kazia Berman

Environmentalists tend to believe that population density is best. But what about when it endangers the delicate fabric of a beloved city?

I live in the middle of a block that is home to neighbors who make wine with my dad, dogs, bees and a best friend who is literally within shouting distance. This is what people love about Berkeley; it’s a city with quirky small town qualities.

However, it could be at risk. The Bay Area’s population has been steadily increasing over the years -about a million every decade since 1940 -  and the rate of growth is projected to speed up over the next 15 years. People fear that Berkeley’s aesthetics are in jeopardy, as evidenced by the handful of new apartment buildings scattered around town and refer to the situation as “Manhatanization”.

And while many are annoyed, I’m pretty apathetic. People who live in those new apartments are more likely to use public transportation, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and I’d rather something be environmentally friendly than nice to look at.

Berkeley is my home; a few apartment buildings here and there aren’t going to change that.

Urban Outfitters is one of the hottest stores around. It has great clothes, quality material and good service.

By: Mario Hammond

Originally aired on KQED-FM. An alternate version aired on KCBS-AM/FM.

Today instead of going to class at a continuation school where he’s been getting A’s in math, my friend and Youth Radio co-worker, is laying in the Intensive Care Unit at Highland Hospital.

On Sunday 17 year-old Daron Ducote was driving home with his cousins, when a car chased by BART police crashed into them in a neighborhood near the Oakland Coliseum.

Daron was thrown through the window, and he landed on a fence in front of a nearby home. He has blood on his brain which doctors say might cause brain damage. He has a broken collar bone, cuts and gashes across his body, and injuries to his spleen.

At Youth Radio, Daron works on the Boss Of Me campaign, to raise awareness about teen dating violence. He has a natural ability to connect with people, which I’ve always admired. He’s one of those people who has so much to say-- And right now I’m praying that he gets more time to say it.

It seems like the violence in Oakland will never stop. Last Friday, right down the street from Youth Radio, 59 year-old Tian Sheng Yu was attacked in broad daylight. Crazy thing about it, I was working with Daron that day and we both looked out the window and saw Mr. Yu on the stretcher.

Who would have known that two days later Daron would be in the same Intensive Care Unit as Mr. Yu? And on Tuesday, that Mr. Yu would be removed from life support.

Next time it could be me, or someone else I know. You can try your best to stay out of trouble in Oakland, but somehow violence finds its way to the innocent.

I’m wondering why the police and public officials are failing to keep our streets safe.

Oakland is my first and only home; I have lived here all my life, 19 years to be exact. I can remember a time when Oakland wasn’t a war zone, but a source of originality and love for community. I remember when the worst thing that could occur during school was a fist fight.

As of today, I could not honestly tell you that I want to raise a family here. Which is sad, because even with all of the chaos, I still love Oakland to the fullest. But I can’t let my child go through what I am going through currently.

British/Indian singer Jay Sean's song "Down" featuring Lil Wayne has become the #1 song in the US knocking down The Black Eyed Peas and ending their 26 consecutive weeks on top of the billboard charts.

I don't know what's more news worthy here,

1. The fact that this dude is the first British urban male artist to have a number one single in the US, a feat that Mark Morrison couldn't even achieve with "Return Of The Mack".

2. That there is an Indian urban pop singer on Cash Money Records, or

3. That this cat changed his name from Kamaljit Singh Jhooti to Jay Sean.

Either way he should be recognized for the achievement as a new pop sensation and a Cash Money Millionaire!

With additional reporting by Ana Beatriz and Adania Navarro.