The CSUN police department was re-accredited on Monday by a professional association committee that decided the enforcement agency is up to par with professional standards. A team from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) visited campus and reviewed aspects of the police department on the week of March 20. The inspectors evaluated areas such as fiscal management, department policies, criminal investigation, organization of department and administration, staff procedures, and many more. CSUN Police Capt. Scott G. Vanscoy and Chief… Read more

An aggressive looking dummy, with a name tag that stated Hello My Name Is: Bad Guy greeted the participants of CSUN’s Department of Police Services bi-annual “The Basics of Pepper Spray Defense” workshop held on the second floor of the department’s police building Wednesday evening. The department has been putting on the workshop to teach students and the local residents, on how pepper spray works, its maintenance, and its impact since 2008. Dan Foster, the department’s crime prevention coordinator and… Read more

An unknown suspect(s) burglarized five dorm rooms on Wednesday, March 30 at the University Park Apartments. There was another burglary and an attempted burglary on Thursday, March 31. According to the CSUN police Campus Crime Alert issued on April 1, the suspect(s) gained entry by forcing bedroom windows open and stole laptops, an X-Box game console and a camcorder. The burglar(s) hit UPA buildings 1, 10 and 12 at different times of the day. In one incident, the bedroom window… Read more

CSUN police services are searching for the suspect who broke into and burglarized two dormitories Thursday night at University Park Apartment complex. The suspect broke into first-floor apartments of buildings four and 14. He broke the bedroom windows, entered the rooms and stole laptop computers and other electronics. Police officials said they have no reason to believe the victims were specifically targeted. CSUN police services are not sure if the same suspect is responsible for both burglaries. The two cases… Read more

In a brief e-mail statement to students on Friday, William Watkins, vice president of Student Affairs, called on CSUN students to help support students who may be experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties. “My experience is that students are often the first to observe concerning changes in the behavior of other students,” Watkins said. “We want you to know that University Counseling Services is available to support and consult with you (…) on how best to get help for a fellow… Read more

UPDATE: In an e-mail to the CSUN community sent late Friday afternoon, university President Jolene Koester said communication and cooperation between the university and family helped in dealing with the situation. “While the immediate threat has been removed from the campus, and the student is no longer enrolled, the University will continue to monitor and take appropriate actions as warranted by any change in the individual’s status,” Koester said. “I want everyone to be assured that the safety and well-being… Read more

There has been a marked increase in burglaries in campus housing this year, the Department of Police Services reported. The Department of Police Services said four dorm burglaries were reported in 2009.  Twenty-three burglaries have been reported this year, they said, almost six times the number of burglaries as last year, and the year is not over yet. “Bottom line — it’s worse,” said Christina Villalobos, special assistant to the chief of police and community relations officer. Items typically stolen… Read more

The Department of Police Services released a statement last week reminding the CSUN community how to recognize and handle suspicious mail and packages. The statement was made on the heels of last week’s international mail bomb plot.  It lists a number of traits that suspicious packages possess and asks that police services be notified immediately if a package possesses any of these traits. “We are trying to stay ahead of the curve,” said Anne P. Glavin, chief of police.  “People… Read more

Maria’s Italian Kitchen is hosting a fundraiser today to benefit CSUN’s Department of Police Services K-9 unit. The restaurant will donate 15 percent of sales from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds from the fundraiser will offset the costs of the dogs, said Capt. Alfredo Fernandez. “Money raised will go strictly into the K-9 fund,” he added.  “It may be used for training or for unforeseen medical issues.” The Department of Police Services has two K-9 units.  The German shepherds… Read more