Gunman Scare, or Lockdown Scare?

UC Santa Barbara student, Jeff Locken, was in the school library when the campus went on lockdown in response to a gunman report. He recalls that the majority of students were outside and went running for the doors only to be locked out. They banged, but no one let them in.

I asked CSULB campus police Lt. Scot Willey if this upsetting scenario could occur here, and basically lockdown means lockdown--no one in or out.

"Lockdown is an option, not a standard," says Willey. "Our first priority is finding the shooter and then notifying students through the Emergency Notification System."

Through the Emergency Notification System, Willey informed me, students can be told to head in the opposite direction, if it is an isolated incident, or to enter the closest classroom for lockdown--these are only two possible actions, each scenario is taken case-by-case.

Willey stressed the importance for every student and faculty member to be registered on the Emergency Notification System. He also assures that students will not be bogged down with notifications, this system is setup to be used only in times of emergency--to be taken seriously.

Students can register at MYCSULB, and designate how they would prefer to receive emergency notifications--texting is an option.

The UCSB gunman fiasco turned out to be just a scare, and one that ended too quickly for Locken's desire. "We went into lockdown at four-something, and were released at 4:26 p.m. I had a midterm at 5 p.m. and was hoping it would get cancelled," Locken said.

Nearby Shooting; Be Aware

This week CSULB thefts may be the most common incident--six reported--but maybe not the most startling.

Three CSULB police officers assisted Long Beach Police Department in a shooting at VA Hospital yesterday, Oct. 18, 2009. The suspect escaped in a light colored vehicle heading west on Seventh Street, according to the CSULB police Activity Log. The LBPD is investigating--more to come.

UCSB police officers investigated a campus gunman report today, Oct. 19, 2009. The campus went on lockdown from sometime after 3 p.m. until 5:28 p.m., according to LA Times. In the end police failed to find a gunman.

Luckily our campus police weren't called to a CSULB campus shooting, but awareness is key to safety. Make sure to sign up with the Emergency Notification System so you are immediately notified if one day our campus is not so lucky.

A Crime Update

Petty and grand thefts dominated the Activity Log. Students reported five bicycles, one cell phone and two cars stolen within the last two weeks.

All bicycle thefts occurred at residence halls--four from Parkside Commons (shown in the above picture) and one from Residence Commons.

The grand theft auto incidents, a tan 1991 Honda Accord and a red 2004 Ford Mustang, disappeared from lot 20 and lot 14 C respectively.

Coming in second on the Activity Log was vandalism--four accounts. Three were acts on cars--reports taken in lot 5, lot 14 B and at the university police station. The fourth incident was a broken dorm window at Parkside Commons.

Check out the Activity Log for detailed info on the above criminal acts as well as additional reports. Multiple vehicles continue to be impounded for expired registration, students are cited for using marijuana, a frat party gets out-of-hand and more...

From the Captain

Awareness is key to lowering crime and student safety, according to CSULB Campus Police Captain Fernando Solorzano.

Every year the crime statistics are published on the CSULB campus police website. Coupled with the Activity Log and Crime Alerts, the Clery Report divulges all of the need-to-know for student safety.

Students say property theft is CSULB's biggest crime problem. Captain Solorzano attributes this to students leaving their valuables unattended.

Next to drug and alcohol abuse, property theft is the biggest crime problem at CSULB, according to the 2008 crime statistics.

While touring the CSULB police station (October 2, 2009), I asked Captain Solorzano when was the last time they had someone in the holding cell, and what was the offense. It was the previous day, and the suspect was arrested for a methamphetamine violation.

The below data show a significant increase in drug and alcohol abuse at CSULB within the last three years:

								2006	2007	2008
			Liquor Violations					12	220	322
			Drug Abuse					4	33	82

If you need help, or know of anyone who needs help check out the CSULB Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Program (ATOD)--for all of our safety.

Please also check out the links the Clery Report provides:

• Crime Statistics 2008
• Policy for the use of Drugs and Alcohol on Campus
• Reporting a Crime
• Crime Prevention tips to deter motor vehicle theft
• Specialized Seminars and Police Services
• Hate Crimes
• Sexual Assault
• Domestic Violence
• Need to Know Phone Numbers

Every student should know how to report, acknowledge and hopefully prevent a crime. Our campus is the fifth safest campus in the nation, beams Captain Solorzano. He attributes this achievement to the extensive security video surveillance, the 24-7 police patrol, the women's selfdefense classes, the Night Escort Program (CSO), the open house awareness events, the Emergency Notification System and the innovative campus directed 9-1-1.

When dialing 9-1-1 from a cell phone (while on campus) or a campus emergency phone, the call goes directly to our CSULB police center--for the quickest possible response. Our campus was the first in California to provide this service and some colleges still haven't stepped up, according to Captain Solorzano.

"We will find the best way to keep everyone safe, we will never leave anyone stranded," assured the Captain when asked what a girl can expect when she calls upon the night escort service (CSO).

Our police team works hard to keep us safe. I plan on taking full advantage of what it offers and kicking butt at the women's self defense class!

Crime in the Eyes of Students

Students at the Outpost Grill are well-aware of the CSULB theft issues. They say bicycles, laptops and backpacks are the hot items.

"It's freaky, her bike was locked up right next to mine!" says a student recalling a theft back in April.

And a CSULB soccer player remembers the "freaky backpack snatcher." According to the student, during practice his friend kept a close eye on his backpack because it contained his laptop. Soon after his pack was gone he knew and went running. He caught up with the thief who was carrying three snatched bags! Impressively he maintained his temper--letting the crook off with a few expletives. He filed a report, but police told him there was nothing they could do because he had his property back damage-free.

It is hoped the backpack snatcher changed his ways, as one student talks about an iphone snatcher that did. Upon realizing her iphone was missing, she sent multiple texts to her phone, pleading the thief to give it back. The guilt won over and the once-greedy man returned the stolen iphone.