Campus boasts safety, relatively low crime rate

In a world filled with alarming crime stories and fears of danger around every dark corner, Cal State Long Beach is a surprisingly safe, dull place.

With a population of 25,436 students coming and going during the day and evening, CSULB is able to maintain campus security with a police force of 11 officers.

There are never less than two officers patroling the campus during the day and never less than four in the evening.

About 20 Community Services Officers, student police assistants, add to the police presence at CSULB. The visibility of people in police uniform is part of the university's crime prevention program.

"I feel very good about the safety program on our campus," said University Police Chief Jack C. Pearson. "I cannot guarantee individual safety 100 percent , but I do feel this is a very safe campus."

Cal State Fullerton and UCLA report relatively low crime as well. Tracy Collinsworth UCLA's crime prevention officer, did note that students who walked alone in the dark and who used alcohol increased their chances of being a victim of crime. CSULB, CSUF and UCLA all have escort services available at night to walk students from their classrooms to their cars ... an especially valuable service since all three campuses have large parking lots removed from campus activity.

Police officials on all campuses urge students to call and use the escort service if they feel uneasy. In fact, escort services through the Community Service Officer Program are being expanded because they are inexpensive and effective.

"We feel we get a great deal of value from the CSO program," said Scott Charmack, associate vice president for physical planning and facilities management.

The most frequent crime is backpack theft. This type of crime happens most often in the University Library and the University Bookstore.

The closer it gets to Christmas, thefts are reported more often because quick cash is often needed by those who steal the packs, noted Lt. Judi King, CSULB police officer.

Campus crime statistics show a fairly steady level. In 1993 there were 26 cases of drug abuse reported, in Ô94 there were 36, and in 1995 reported cases dropped back to 27. in 1993 aggravated assaults totaled 18, in 1994 there were six and in 1995, the number increased to 17 assaults. University Police do plan to expand their investigations unit to allow more in-depth follow up of issues of interpersonal violence on campus and in the classroom.

"The issue of workplace violence is something we are seeing across the country, and (there have been reports of ) disruptive behavior in the classroom. Students challenge their instructors with inappropriate behavior and it concerns faculty." Pearson said.

Currently, if something were to happen in a classroom, University Police are not equipped to do an extensive investigation to find out who instigated the disturbance and what happened.

If a student does see a crime, becomes a victim of a crime, or feels a crime is about to happen, he or she is urged to call 9-1-1 immediately on the nearest phone.

There are emergency phones scattered across campus and the parking lots on campus that provide a direct line to the University Police dispatcher.

Individuals may also contact the mobile police units patrolling the campus on a 24-hour schedule.

In a medical emergency situation, a police officer responding to the scene will call for help from off-campus paramedics.

The Public Safety department is located at the far end of the campus between Parking Lot C and Parking Lot 9 on Palo Verde Avenue. The department is open 24 hours a day to respond to any call for service or emergency.