Violence Spurs Rise in CSUN-Area Security

Security around the Cal State Northridge student housing complex will be stepped up in response to three violent incidents--including a nonfatal shooting off campus--that have occurred since the start of fall classes, school officials said Thursday.

It’s not unusual for crime to increase once the 27,000 students arrive on campus after the summer months, CSUN spokesman John Chandler said. But he said because of the recent incidents, the school will take additional security measures.

“Any time we have incidents happen . . . we are going to review our security procedures,” Chandler said.

Only one of the incidents occurred on campus.

At the University Park Apartments at Zelzah Avenue and Lassen Street, where about 1,000 students reside, a male student was confronted by other men and beaten, Chandler said.

In the second incident, a student driving near the campus said he saw women being harassed by a group of men. The student said he stopped to help, and was beaten by the men.

Finally, a man visiting the university was the victim of a drive-by shooting, Chandler said. The man’s injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

Chandler said the university plans to increase security in two ways:

The number of security guards at the housing complex will be increased from four to six during the week and eight on weekends.

And on Friday and Saturday nights, anyone seeking to enter the housing area of the campus will need to show identification to prove they are students. Otherwise, they will need special permission from the school to enter, Chandler said.

The incident on campus is being investigated by school police, and the other two by the Los Angeles Police Department, Chandler said. No arrests have been made.