The West University Joint Task Force convened in the Central Presbyterian Church from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss ideas and a tentative agenda for 2003. The meeting commenced with a detailed presentation and ended with discussion on short-term strategies and recommendations for improving the neighborhood environment after the September 2002 riot. More than 20 students, residents, business owners and city officials attended.
Corvallis Police Department AIC Captain Jon Sassaman gave a digital slide show for the first hour, reinforcing the tactics used by CPD and Oregon State Police to maintain peace and safety in the Oregon State University neighborhoods. The presentation, titled “Alcohol and Law Enforcement,” demonstrated the success of activities held in order to better familiarize CPD officers with the student body. These activities include community meetings, greek life barbecues and orientation programs.
“We’re promoting friendly, positive interaction so that students don’t just notice the blue uniforms, but actually see the faces and know the names of our officers,” Sassaman said.
After the presentation, members discussed the readability of a progress report, which includes a top ten short-term solutions list, intended to update interested parties on the progress of the task force. Mayor Jim Torrey and University President Dave Frohnmayer, the officials responsible for the force’s existence, will review the findings.
The next meeting will be held Jan. 30 at the same location from 4 to 6 p.m.

— Caron Alarab