Be A Good Neighbor

A primary factor that many students consider when selecting housing options is proximity to campus. Because of this, the College Area is a popular choice for San Diego State University students. One of the unique characteristics of the neighborhoods that make up the College Area is the diversity of its residents. Students, young families, senior citizens, and a combination of other demographics create the makeup of this vibrant community.

The Associated Students is currently working on two programs to enhance the quality of community life and community relations for all residents. The Good Neighbor Program and the Fix the Fine campaign both provide resources and an outlet for students and community members to voice concerns about neighborhood issues.

Good Neighbor Program

The Good Neighbor Program (GNP), created in 2004, educates students and community members about the relationship between behavior and residential quality of life. The program includes a team of volunteers that visit local houses that have received first-time visits from police officers for noise or large party violations. The GNP volunteers, which include students and interested community members, go to these homes and have a friendly conversation with the residents, reminding them of their rights and responsibilities as a resident of the College Area. Associated Students has found that houses that have received “first-response” calls by the San Diego Police Department, and then received a follow-up visit by GNP volunteers have an extremely low rate of receiving “second-response” visits by police. The Good Neighbor Program will continue to visit houses this year, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Volunteers are needed! Please call the GNP Info Line at (619) 594-SAFE for more information.

Another aspect of the GNP is the Information Line. This service was created to provide all residents, whether students or not, with a point of contact to request help with community service projects, to lodge non time-sensitive complaints related to the behavior of both SDSU students and other College Area residents, and to answer questions regarding the Administrative Citation program, the Community Assisted Party Program (CAPP), and the College Area Community Council (CACC). Messages left on the Good Neighbor Program Information Line are checked daily by Associated Students staff, and follow ups are promptly made.

Fix the Fine Initiative

A new initiative this year, created by the Associated Students Executive Officer team, is called Fix the Fine. This project was created in response to the Administrative Citation Fine pilot program instituted by the City of San Diego. On April 30, 2007, Mid City Police officers began a six-month pilot program during which individuals creating disturbances can receive an Administrative Citation which carries a fine of $1,000 for each resident. The goal of this program is to reduce the number of complaints of loud parties and disturbances.

Through Fix the Fine, the Associated Students hope to work with students, community members, and the City of San Diego to adjust certain aspects of the Administrative Citation program. These include working with police to get them to reduce the maximum $1,000 fine, making adjustments to the appeal process, creating a community service option in place of the fee, extending the time allotted to make payment, and seeking assurances that students are not being singled out by this program. Further, the Associated Students hopes to educate students and community members on responsible partying, and suggestions for how to be good neighbors. A number of tips for responsible partying, and more information is available on the Fix the Fine group page on the popular social networking Web site, Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com and search “Fix the Fine.”

To preserve a high quality of life for all residents in the local community, it is important that all neighbors respect each other, get to know each other, and maintain open lines of communication. The College Area is a great place to live for students and other residents alike. By working together, everyone in the College Area can maintain the quality of life that exists in this neighborhood.

If you have any questions, or would like more information about either of these programs, please call the Good Neighbor Program Information Line at (619) 594-SAFE (7233).