Alcohol, Drug Report to Be Discussed Today

A report identifying where alcohol and drug-related violence occurs at Cal State Northridge and the surrounding community will be discussed at the Northridge Community Coalition meeting today on campus.

Kati Simpson, a graphic information specialist of the Agoura Hills-based Aspen Environmental Group, will present the maps that show alcohol and drug-related crimes in the area bounded by Rinaldi Street, Roscoe Boulevard, Tampa Avenue and Balboa Boulevard, which encompasses the CSUN campus.

The data is based on 1997 reports from the Los Angeles Police Department’s traffic and vice divisions, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and other agencies, Simpson said.

“By knowing where the hot spots are and knowing what’s happening in those problem areas, the police would be inclined to spend more of their time in those areas,” said Robert Kemmerling, director of counseling and testing at CSUN. “Also, knowing where the problem areas are will encourage the community to avoid those places.”

Lt. Mike Sugar of the public safety and parking department at CSUN said campus police annually make more than 50 alcohol and drug-related arrests, such as driving under the influence.

Simpson said preliminary reports showed that the highest incidence of these crimes occurred in the University Park apartments, home to some 1,500 students.

“The dormitory has the problem, the fraternity houses more so than sorority houses,” she said. “You get these guys tanked up on liquor and they want to fight.”

Also on the agenda is a final report on the daylong Ending Violence Against Women Conference, held on campus March 26, and an eight-minute video presentation on a two-mile stretch of Reseda Boulevard in Northridge that makes up a proposed business improvement district.

The public meeting will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in the conference room of the Student Health Center. For parking or other information, call the center at (818) 677-3690.