A nearly monthlong police operation around San Diego State University resulted in 40 felony arrests and the recovery of four firearms as students returned to the College Area for the fall semester.
The San Diego Police Department and SDSU Police conducted the annual operation during evening and overnight hours from Aug. 19 through Sept. 12, responding to nearly 150 calls for service, including party calls. Four people were also charged with driving under the influence.
Despite the number of arrests, SDSU Police said the operation was not launched in response to a particular crime, or emerging safety concern.
“This operation was part of a routine enforcement detail that the San Diego State University Police Department participates in each year at the beginning of the fall semester,” SDSU Police spokesperson Amanda Stills said in a statement to Times of San Diego.
Police increase their presence as new and returning students and visitors arrive in the area and social gatherings increase on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods, Stills said.
Robert Montana, chair of the College Area Community Planning Group, said he has noticed more social activity among students this fall but has not heard unusual concerns about crime or safety from residents.
“This cohort seems to be more active than ones that have been in the neighborhood for a long time,” Montana said.
Montana also serves with the College Area Community Council, another neighborhood group that meets regularly. Neither organization has been informed of heightened safety concerns by residents this semester, he said.
“I haven’t heard anything from either group saying, ‘Boy, we’re real concerned about safety this time around,’” Montana said.
The neighborhood’s perception of student activity is about the same as last year, Montana said.
The city’s report on the operation highlighted three incidents officers encountered during the enforcement period.
During one traffic stop, officers arrested a man wanted on an outstanding vehicle theft warrant after finding about 35 grams of a crystalline substance and $45,000 in cash, according to SDPD. Police said the discovery resulted in additional charges involving the sale and transportation of controlled substances.
In another incident, undercover officers encountered an adult man gathering with young people at a motel party. Officers detained the man and found 11 juveniles in the room, along with evidence of underage drinking and nitrous oxide use, according to police.
The encounter resulted in felony and misdemeanor arrests and multiple protective detention reports.
During another traffic stop, officers found a woman with five active misdemeanor warrants. Police said she also possessed pepper spray, a switchblade, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and more than 70 pills without a prescription.
SDPD has not publicly released a breakdown of the alleged offenses related to all 40 felony arrests or said how many of those arrested, if any, were SDSU students.
Police also have not identified a particular location where arrests or calls for service were concentrated during the operation.
SDSU police regularly works with SDPD on public safety in and around the College Area, Stills said. The annual operation allows officers to maintain a visible presence and respond to unsafe or disruptive behavior during a period of increased activity.
Montana said longtime College Area residents are accustomed to the changes that come with the start of an academic year.
The neighborhood’s makeup has changed over the decades as longtime homeowners have sold properties that were later converted into rentals, he said.
“If you’ve lived in this neighborhood for a long time, you’ve seen it come and you’ve seen it go,” Montana said. “It’s not really that big a deal.”
