UCSB has been described as a “paradise” for its natural beauty and beachside setting. In fact, studies show that in comparison to other large urban college campuses, UCSB is a relatively safe environment. However, as a community of more than 20,000 individuals, UCSB is not problem-free. Crime occurs on campus and Isla Vista each year. Individuals in our community are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their own safety by being aware and alert. In addition, services and resources are provided to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who study and work here.

UCSB Police Department

UCSB has its own police department whose officers are trained under state guidelines and have statewide jurisdiction, but they generally limit their operations to University property. UCSB’s Police Department operates from two stations: the main station located on campus just northeast of Harder Stadium and the Isla Vista Foot Patrol Office, located on the 6500 block of Trigo Road in Isla Vista. The UCSB Police Officers, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and CHP Officers work as a team to protect the Isla Vista community. Service units of the Campus Police Department include Uniform Patrol and Investigations, Community Service Organization (CSO), Paramedic/Ambulance Service, Records, Communications, Lost and Found, and Administrative Support. The following departments are available 24 hours a day:

• Emergencies or immediate response: 911 (9-911 from campus phones)



• Campus non-emergencies: (805) 893-3446



• Isla Vista non-emergencies: (805) 681-4179



• CSO Escort Service: (805) 893-2000
• All red phones on campus are Emergency Phones and are connected directly to the UCSB Police Department CSOs and the Escort Service.

Paramedic Rescue

UCSB has a fully-equipped Paramedic Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance that responds to medical emergencies in the UCSB/Isla Vista community. It also provides transportation to Student Health or any local hospital (Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital is two miles from campus). Paramedics also instruct basic CPR and first aid classes. Public Safety Building: (805) 893-3928. On-campus emergency: 9-911; off-campus emergency: 911.

Preventing Theft

Illegal entry and theft of valuables from residences on campus and in Isla Vista can occur, but students can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a victim of this crime by following some simple guidelines:

• Always lock all the doors and windows when leaving, even if just for a few minutes.
• Always take keys when leaving so roommates will not have to leave a door unlocked.
• Secure windows (obtain free screw locks from owner).
• Photograph and record serial numbers of all valuables; store records in a safe place (e.g., parent’s house).
• Permanently mark valuables with driver’s license number (engravers are available from both police stations and some residence halls at the front desk).
• Avoid lending keys to others.
• Do not leave valuables in sight and close all curtains.
• Leave a light on and lock all doors and windows at night, whether you are at home or not.
• Register bicycles with Community Service Organization; (805) 893-2433. Always use a U-Lock to lock your bike to a bike rack.
• While on campus keep all valuables in your possession.
• Do not leave back packs and laptops unattended in public areas on campus or in unlocked rooms in the residence halls (this includes a student’s own room, a friend’s room, the library, the UCen, or any other place where people may be coming and going).

Bike Security

Bike theft is a growing concern in the UCSB community, with hundreds of bikes reported stolen each year. The major deterrents to theft are bike registration and effective locks and locking practices. Registered bikes that have been stolen have a recovery rate of approximately 30%, largely due to the fact that the Community Service Organization (CSO) spends time searching the bike racks on campus for stolen bicycles. When choosing a lock for a bike, one of the most effective types is the U-shaped shackle lock combined with a cable lock. These are most effective when used in locking a bike to something stationary, rather than to itself. Campus regulations require that all bikes be registered with a California Bike License. CSOs offer bicycle registration year-round. For more information, contact CSO at (805) 893-5293.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is never planned for in anyone’s college career, yet it is a reality on all college campuses. The Rape Prevention Education Program (RPEP) provides both education and advocacy for sexual assault, abusive relationships, and stalking. The goal is to raise awareness and challenge myths in an attempt to stop sexual violence on this campus and in our community. Education is provided by professional staff and students in the student-led groups Students Stopping Rape and Men Against Rape and includes discussion of definitions and laws, the meaning of consent and the importance of assigning the responsibility for sexual violence to the perpetrator. Advocacy is free and confidential and includes crisis counseling, consultation and assistance with legal and medical questions, and referrals to other kinds of counseling and resources on campus and in the community. RPEP is a service of the Women’s Center and the Police Department. Located in the Women’s Center, M-F, 10:00am-5:00pm, (805) 893-3778, www.sa.ucsb.edu/women'scenter/

Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act

The University of California, Santa Barbara is committed to assisting all members of the UCSB community-students, faculty, staff, and visitors by providing for their safety and security. The complete UCSB safety report, Dedicated to the Safety of Our Community: The Jeanne Clery Act Campus Security Report, including crime statistics, campus policies and substance abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault complaint procedures is available online at www.sa.ucsb.edu/policies/CleryAct/CleryActCampusSecurityReport.asp, or you can request a copy by calling the Office of Student Life at (805) 893-7884.This information is made available in accordance with the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act,” formerly the “Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act.” The website contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The website contains information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by UCSB; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

This information is required by law and provided by the Office of Student Life and the campus Police Department, and upholds the campus belief that a well-informed community is better served and safer. UC Santa Barbara makes continual efforts to reduce crime on campus and supports a reporting philosophy that encourages victims or witnesses to report all incidents to the UCSB Police or anonymously to a Campus Security Authority. However, in cases of sexual assault, the University recognizes that reporting to law enforcement is a personal decision and respects the right of the survivor to make that decision. In general, whenever a report of a violent crime against a person or a major crime against property on campus is received by the campus police department that is determined by the police department to represent an ongoing threat to the safety of the campus community, the campus police department issues a Campus Crime Alert. Such Campus Crimes Alerts are distributed as soon as possible after the time the incident is reported, subject to the availability of accurate facts concerning the incidents.

Isla Vista Foot Patrol

Isla Vista, like any other student community, is a place where freedom fosters change, growth and sometimes, unruly behavior. As a community, Isla Vista is not immune to societal problems like crime, assault, and theft, as well as occasional violence. The Isla Vista Foot Patrol was established in 1970 as a cooperative law enforcement effort staffed by officers from the University Police Department, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol. Foot Patrol Officers conduct general law enforcement duties and are responsible for maintaining public safety and security within the community of Isla Vista. Foot Patrol Officers work out of a storefront office in the business district of Isla Vista at 6504 Trigo Road. Officers patrol the streets of I.V. by foot and bicycle and respond to requests for assistance from community members both day and night. In recent years, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department has enforced a “zero tolerance” policy in Isla Vista. Instead of warnings, citations are issued for many violations. In Isla Vista, violations of County law include the following:

• Fighting in public; other acts of violence
  
  
• Minor in possession of alcohol
  
  
• Public intoxication
  
  
• Open alcohol containers in public
  
  
• DUI/BUI (biking under the influence)
  
  
• Violating the noise ordinance (in effect after 10pm on Sunday-Thursday and after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights)
  
  
• Burning couches or vehicles

Regular services of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol include answering calls related to crime (including burglary, robbery, sexual assault and other violent crimes), complaints, injury, illness, fire, and custody and disposal of lost and found property. Foot Patrol Officers are available to advise students on how to prevent crime and protect property, bicycles, and residences from theft. For more information, contact the Isla Vista Foot Patrol at (805) 681-4179; for emergency response in Isla Vista, students should dial 911.

Environmental Health & Safety

The office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is committed to promoting a safe and healthful environment for research, instruction, and the campus community. Through education, auditing and monitoring, technical consultation, and provision of direct services, EH&S assists the campus in meeting its obligations for compliance with State and Federal health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Emergency Planning

Emergencies can come without warning at any time. Being prepared physically and psychologically to handle unexpected accidents or disasters is an individual as well as an organizational responsibility.

All students and parents are strongly encouraged to register for Emergency Text Messaging at http://alert.ucsb.edu. UCSB Alert is an alert system that allows University Officials to contact you during an emergency by sending text messages to your:

• email account (school, work, home, other)
• cell phone or pager
• smartphone or handheld devic
e

The personal information gathered from this site will only be used for contacting you in case of an emergency and will be protected as described in the Privacy Statement on-line.
As you prepare to send your son or daughter to UCSB, we would ask that you think about including an emergency kit in the items that you are packing. Students are encouraged to keep a kit in an accessible location (for example, residence hall room, car). The emergency kit should include a week’s supply of required medications, spare prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, contact lens solution, and any other items essential to enabling your student to be prepared for an extended emergency.