Full Notification

During the start of the fall academic school year for Cal Poly the San Luis Obispo police department has historically experienced an increase in calls for service in response to adverse party related behaviors in our neighborhoods. In 2013 the City Council designated the start of the Cal Poly school year as a Safety Enhancement Zone period extending from the first day of housing move-in though the first weekend after academic classes begin, concluding on the following Monday. This year the safety enhancement period started at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, September 8th and ended on Monday, September 18th at 7:00 a.m.

The safety enhancement period designates specific violations of the San Luis Obispo City Municipal Code as “double fines” which can be written by both City police and Cal Poly PD officers. These violations include:

• Noise Disturbance
• Urinating in Public
• Open Container
• Dangerous and Deadly Weapon
• Social Host
• Unruly Gathering

The police department provided additional personnel to address noise and party related activities during the safety enhancement period. In comparison to prior school years where the Safety Enhancement Zone was in effect, there was a 3% increase in the number of noise party calls, with 12 citations issued and 36 noise warnings (DACs) issued.

The need to reduce noise and associated problems in our neighborhoods has been an on-going collaborative effort by the City of San Luis Obispo, the Cal Poly Police Department, staff and students at both Cal Poly and Cuesta, and several neighborhood groups. Addressing quality of life issues in the city and promoting safe and responsible behavior will continue to be an objective of the police department.

Although the safety enhancement zone period has concluded there will continue to be enhanced enforcement and a low tolerance for negative behaviors that impact our community.

The table attached provides statistical data regarding noise and party related offenses that have been compiled over the last five years since the modification of the safety enhancement period to be inclusive of the start of the school year.