Residents for Quality Neighborhoods, San Luis Obispo, California
Annual Security Report
2018
Crimes involving Cal Poly were down last year [2018]
The Tribune, carried an article [September 21, 2019] regarding Crimes involving Cal Poly were down last year. But arrests — mostly for drinking — were up that should be of interest to residents of San Luis Obispo. Major points are below.
"Reported crime involving Cal Poly declined in 2018 — but the number of arrests were up slightly over the previous year. Most of those arrests involved alcohol or drugs."
"There were no murders or cases of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter involving the university in 2018. There were, however, seven reported rapes in campus dorms, down from 10 the previous year, and five in campus apartments, down from seven in 2017. There were no reported rapes involving students off campus (there was one in 2017) or on public property. There was one incident of statutory rape at an off-campus location in 2018, whereas there were none in any of the locations the previous year. There were four reported incidents of fondling, two in dorms and two in apartments, down from seven and three incidents in 2017, respectively."
"There were no robberies in 2018, whereas there was one reported on public property in 2017. There was one aggravated assault, on campus, down from two the previous year. Ten burglaries were reported, mostly in on-campus dorms, down from 18 in 2017."
"Four vehicles were reported stolen on campus, as opposed to seven in 2017. Three vehicles were reported stolen at off-campus residences, and one stolen from public property."
"There were two reports of domestic violence on campus and five reported cases of stalking. There were eight cases of stalking on campus in 2017."
The article further pointed out that:
"There were three more arrests for alcohol-related offenses on and off campus in 2018 than the previous year, with 50 arrests. But the number of citations issued for alcohol went way down, from 582 issued in 2017 to 237 last year. There were 21 drug-related arrests on and off campus, an increase of five over the previous year, but citations went up from nine to 12 in 2018. There were four weapon-related arrests on campus, up from three the previous year, and two weapons-related citations, both on campus."
"As in previous years, there were no hate crimes reported involving students."
The numbers come from Cal Poly’s 2019 Annual Security Report, which the federal Clery Act mandates for all universities receiving federal money.
2017
Rapes, Burglaries, and Car Thefts Rise at Cal Poly in 2017
The Tribune, carried an article [September 11, 2018] regarding Cal Poly sees rise in rapes, burglaries and car thefts reported on campus. Major points are below.
Among other specifics, the article pointed out that:
"There were 10 on-campus rape cases reported — including seven in the residence halls — and one that occurred off campus. That compares to the 11 reported rape cases in 2016, seven of which occurred on campus. In 2015, nine rapes were reported in total, with seven occurring on campus."
"Additionally last year, there were five reported cases of stalking, more than double the number from the previous year, and eight cases of fondling, up from five the year before."
"On-campus burglaries increased by one to 13, and there were seven reported motor vehicle thefts, a sharp increase from 2016 when none were reported."
The article further pointed out that:
"University police made six off-campus liquor-law arrests last year, a significant decrease from the 23 reported in 2016. There were 292 on-campus liquor-law referrals in 2017, up from the 216 reported the previous year."
"Police made 12 drug related arrests in 2017 — none occurring off campus. That marked decrease comes one year after 16 off-campus drug arrests were reported."
"There were no reported murders or hate crimes last year, the data shows. But that period ended Dec. 31, 2017, before the flurry of racist incidents rocked the campus this past spring."
The numbers come from Cal Poly’s 2018 Annual Security Report, which the federal Clery Act mandates for all universities receiving federal money.
2016
Alcohol/Drug Arrests at Cal Poly up in 2016
The Tribune, carried an article [September 20, 2017] regarding a Alcohol and drug arrests up last year at Cal Poly. Major points are below.
Among other specifics, the article pointed out that:
"University police made 23 off-campus liquor-law arrests last year, a substantial increase from the three reported in 2015. Another 35 liquor-law arrests occurred on campus, an increase from the 30 reported in 2015. There were 37 drug related arrests in 2016, including 16 off-campus. That’s a marked increase from the 16 total drug arrests in 2016 but a decrease from the 60 reported in 2014."
The article further pointed out that:
"Other crime statistics in 2016 remained largely static from the year prior. There were no reported murders, 11 reported rapes (compared to nine the year before) and 12 burglaries (seven in 2015)."
The numbers come from Cal Poly’s 2017 Annual Security Report, which the federal Clery Act mandates for all universities receiving federal money.
Alcohol Problem
Spike in On-Campus Drinking
Cal Poly's student newspaper, Mustang News, recently carried an article [January 21, 2016] regarding a Spike in On-Campus Drinking that should be of interest to all residents of San Luis Obispo.
Among other specifics, the article points out that on "[t]he night of Saturday, Jan. 9, University Housing had at least eight reported cases of students who were unconscious or had alcohol poisoning in residence halls."
Off-Campus Housing
Educated Renters Certificate Program
Cal Poly has an Educated Renters Certificate Program that allows students to become certified on renting and on city policies and procedures. The Certificate can be submitted along with a rental application to give students a possible advantage when seeking rental accommodations with rental agencies that accept the certificate. The Certificate may also become expected by individual landlords as they learn about the program.
Students with Off-Campus Violations
Cal Poly began a program in early 2014 that presents an educational alternative to disciplinary action for students who are first-time offenders arrested or cited for alcohol or alcohol-related violations of city ordinances off campus.
The program gives first offenders the opportunity, in lieu of Cal Poly disciplinary action, to voluntarily take part in a 90-minute workshop and write a research paper on topics related to personal health and safety and community responsibility. Those students who decline or fail to complete the educational program will face discipline as defined by the university’s student conduct policies.
Additional information is available by contacting Matthew Armas, the Coordinator of Off-Campus Programs, at 756-5841 or email at msArmas@calpoly.edu.
City Wide
Increase in Burglaries
Over the last several years there has been a rise in theft-related crimes, both in SLO and state-wide. SLO has seen an increase in thefts and burglaries: motor vehicle thefts, thefts of objects left in vehicles, thefts of bicycles and residential burglaries. SLOPD has provided these tips for decreasing your chances of becoming a victim of these crimes.
1. Always lock your vehicle, house and windows, and be sure to close garage doors. Summer is here and leaving doors and windows unsecured is an easy way for a burglar to gain access.
2. Never leave your keys in or about your vehicle or house; keep garage door openers out of sight.
3. Park in well-lit areas.
4. Do not leave valuables, such as wallets, money, purses, cell phones and computers, visible.
5. Be aware of your surroundings and area. If you see something suspicious, call the Police Department (781-7312).
6. Take time to document and save serial numbers from your valuable items (cell phones, computers, bicycles, game stations, etc.). Having these numbers can help get your property returned to you.
7. Bicycles should always be locked if possible or stored in a secure space. Bicycles can be registered with SLOPD to ensure return of the bicycle if it is recovered.
a. Registration can be done on line or by downloading a form and dropping it off at the PD. Go to the Police Department FAQs page and look for bicycle registration paragraph.
b. The FST, Jason Barrett (jBarrett@slocity.org), has helped with inscribing on bikes and can do so by appointment.
The Police Department reminds you they are here for you and they would rather respond to a call of suspicious activity and find it is nothing than to have us be victims of crime.
General Information
August 10, 2017
Grand Avenue Cal Poly Faculty and Staff Housing
AMCAL and Cal Poly hosted a second open house on Thursday, August 10th at the United Methodist Church at 1515 Fredericks Street.
Some problems were identified with the circulation plan during the first open house, and significant changes were made to address residents' concerns about ingress/egress into the project off of Slack Street. There are now no entrances off of Slack Street and a single right-turn exit on to Slack Street lead back to Grand Avenue in Monterey Heights.
This was our opportunity to see if recommended changes to this and other identified problems had been made . . . and they were. In addition to many Monterey Heights and Alta Vista residents, the Chairs of both neighborhoods' residential groups attended and voiced support and appreciation for efforts made by all to positively address residents' concerns.
Thanks to each of you for the time and energy you put into making your neighborhoods better and improving the quality of life for yourselves and others!
Additional information about the project is available at Grand Avenue Faculty and Staff Housing.
May 29, 2015
Cal Poly Master Plan Update
Residents for Quality Neighborhoods™ hosted what may be residents' last opportunity to provide input to Cal Poly's Master Plan Update on Friday, May 29. Though many are dissatisfied with Cal Poly's track record for listening to residents, this was an opportunity that we did not want lost. Many RQN members shared their ideas and concerns, and Cal Poly representatives answered and noted our comments.
Thank you to those who took the time to represent (y)our neighbors on a Friday afternoon.
Cal Poly produced maps with three distinctly different proposed configurations for dorms, an arena (event center), and a hotel/conference center. It does matter where these buildings are placed! The maps were projected on a large screen, and everyone was able to see them clearly.
More information about the Master Plan update can be found at Cal Poly Master Plan
To those who joined us, thank you so much for still caring after all these years!
May 20-21,2014
Cal Poly Student Housing South
Representatives of Residents for Quality Neighborhoods ™, Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, and Monterey Heights Neighbors travelled to Long Beach to speak at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting in support of additional housing on Cal Poly's campus but not at the intersection of Slack Street and Grand Avenue. They spoke at the Committee on Campus Planning Buildings and Grounds meeting on Tuesday, May 20, and to the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, May 21. Each group submitted written comments for the Trustees' consideration.
Despite our best efforts, the Trustees approved the plan as presented by Cal Poly.
We will note that the City of San Luis Obispo's representative stated that the City neither supported nor opposed the project; and much to our dismay, two members of the County Board of Supervisors sent letters in support of the project -- Adam Hill (District 3) and Debbie Arnold (District 5).
We thank those of you who participated in our efforts to persuade the Trustees to rethink and relocate the project for your continued concern for and support of our city's existing residential neighborhoods.
Your tenacity in the face of adversity is remarkable.