Boys in Blue

By Michael Moeschler

Representatives from the Santa Clara Police Department met with students at an open forum in Brass Rail last Thursday. The event was an opportunity to discuss key issues affecting the community.

Sgt. Craig Middlekauff and other officers answered a variety of questions from the audience ranging in issues from search and seizure to drunk in public policies. Officers also addressed student concern regarding non-student neighbors around the Alviso Street area. The general mood of the forum was positive, with officers praising the university community's behavior.

"[Students], I think, are doing a pretty good job of not wandering out into the street with alcohol and throwing these parties with outrageous behavior," said Lt. Paul Kofman. "I've seen a lot of improvement and you should be proud of that."

Middlekauff echoed Kofman's sentiments about the improved relationship between students and the police. "It's been a huge change since I've been here and I commend [the students] on that," said Middlekauff.

The forum was an example of another opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two groups.

Students that were confused or unaware of Santa Clara police rules and regulations were given accurate information at the forum in an effort to better inform them of their rights.

Senior Peter Andrews, a resident of the Alviso housing complex, raised a question regarding the officers relationship with non-student resident Joanne Bruna. Bruna, who lives across from the Alviso's, has an active voice in the relationship between off-campus students and the non-student neighborhood community.

Kofman said that the police make the final decision regarding what constitutes a party, not Bruna. He encouraged students to be respectful and let the officers handle the situation.

"I have had a lot of contact with Joanne, as have you living not too far from her," said Kofman. "You just have to realize that she will call every time there is loud noise, people talking, or a party going on. Unfortunately, geographically, where you chose to live kind of sucks because you're living closest to our squeakiest wheel in town."

Kofman, who generally works the midnight weekend shifts, hears many of the calls that go in and also reviews many of the reports that are made.

"We have a duty to respond when [Bruna] calls, but our officers have enough discretion and enough common sense to say 'hey this is not a valid party call,'" said Kofman. "It's not uncommon for [Bruna] to call two, three, four times a night."

Several students raised questions regarding search and seizure policies. Middlekauff defended Officer Dennis Grilli, a representative of the police department that some students criticized.

"Dennis is actually very conscientious and super aware of search and seizure and probable cause," said Middlekauff. "I can't think of any reports by him that I can say 'wow this is a real stretch.' With Dennis a lot of things boil down to delivery and he has his own way of delivering and I know a lot of students aren't appreciative of the interaction."

Senior Pat Speckman questioned that delivery. "Is it really necessary to have seven cops present to write two students a ticket?" Speckman asked.

The large numbers of officers that respond to a party call is generally for everyone's protection, according to Middlekauff. "It's a tactic we use to come out in numbers if we feel like there is going to be any kind of friction developing," said Middlekauff. "My point is, don't take offense to it, we just want to make sure we're in control, calling the shots."

Middlekauff defended the department saying that the Santa Clara officers are not going out of their way to ticket students. "The university represents about two percent of the arrests that go down per month in the whole city," said Middlekauff. "More arrests are being made outside of campus. There's a vast amount of things that go on in the whole area and patrolling the university is a very small percentage of what we do."

As a result of the improved relationship between the students and officers, only two Team 200 officers are patrolling this year, according to Middlekauff. Team 200 officers are assigned to patrol the immediate areas surrounding campus on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The current number of Team 200 officers is significantly lower than it has been in recent years. "I've seen it when we were putting out two two-man cars and at it's peak three two-man cars, but that's been curbed down," said Middlekauff.

The relationship with the non-student neighbors is what directly affects student's relationship with the police. If students want to maintain positive interactions with the police department, then they must start talking with the local homeowners, said senior Colin Barceloux. "We need to focus more time on the neighbors," said Barceloux. "[The neighbors] need to hear from the students. Arrest totals are down, it just seems like this so-called problem is being blown out of proportion by few a individuals."