Beefed Up Patrols Coming to Isla Vista and UC Santa Barbara
Isla Vista residents, which includes UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College students, are already seeing more signs of law enforcement.
UCSB Police Lt. Mark Signa says more officers are being added to the staff, and with that they “will be able to respond to calls for service a lot quicker.”
This comes after the Deltopia riots and Eliott Rodger murder spree at the end of the last school year.
The Isla Vista Foot Patrol Office located where the campus meets the community, is staffed by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies in a team effort with UCSB Police. (Depending on state funding issues and regional enforcement decisions, the California Highway Patrol also has a role in this united effort.)
“The goal is, we want people to feel safe. If they are in Isla Vista or on campus and if they need help or if they need somebody, there will be somebody to help them, right away,” said Signa.
UCSB has also brought in officers from other campuses to help and bring a higher visibility to the campus and near campus areas.
“We have a unique environment, so we really look at this as some place we have to come up with new ideas and new ways at looking at the way things are going on so we can have a positive impact,” said Signa.
Santa Barbara City College students just received a video message from their president reminding them about their code of conduct as SBCC students.
“Our reputation and our focus is entirely on them as student scholars. With that comes the responsibility and expectation that they are a good member of the community,” said Santa Barbara City College President Lori Gaskin. “And that’s the greater community, where they reside, where they work and where they recreate.”
“When I go walk the streets in Isla Vista, I stress to them that they are scholars. If they seek a different experience in college then they need to chose another institution,” said Gaskin.
Some students said they welcome the increased patrols.
“Even though there’s a bunch of alcoholic kids, I still feel safe,” said student Leif Andersson. “I almost feel safer at night because I can always see the police.”
A third year student, Kaylie Raymer said when she needs help or a walk back home from a campus security officers, “they have numbers and stuff, posters are up that if you need some help, call this number.”
Currently, Santa Barbara City College students who live in Isla Vista have moved into their apartments. Their school year began last week.
The majority of the UC Santa Barbara students who live in the community will arrive to I. V. later this month.
