The Tempe and ASU police departments on Wednesday released a list of the 10 apartment complexes near campus with the most alcohol and public order crimes after a six-day police campaign netted 185 arrests.
Public order crimes include disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
Tempe Police Department spokesman Sgt. Steve Carbajal said the joint operation between the Tempe and ASU departments to enforce alcohol violations took place on three consecutive Friday and Saturday nights between Aug. 20 and Sept. 4.
Ultimately, three new apartment complexes were added to the list. The end goal was to reduce or eliminate aggravated and sexual assaults, where alcohol often plays a role, he said.
Of the 185 arrests, 163 were alcohol-related, Carbajal said.
The Vue on Apache was the top apartment complex for alcohol and public order crimes, according to an official statement from the Tempe Police Department. Versante Apartment Homes on West Broadway Road came next, followed by Arbour Park on East Apache Boulevard.
Tempe and ASU police officers, as well as members of Tempe’s Strategic Planning Analysis and Research Center, compiled the ranking of apartment complexes, Carbajal said.
The targeted area for police was north of Broadway Road and adjacent to the University, he said.
He said complexes were ranked by calls to police for service, but each call didn’t necessarily result in a citation.
ASU Police Cmdr. Jim Hardina said both uniformed and plain-clothed officers investigated alcohol violations in the complexes and made related arrests.
Patrols were also conducted at three new locations — Block 1949 on East University Drive, Campus Suites on East Apache Boulevard and Grigio Metro on East Apache Boulevard, Carbajal said.
“Tempe Police Department works collaboratively with many of the multi-housing complex managers in Tempe to set a precedent for appropriate, legal behavior and prevent problems from getting out of hand,” he said.
Different types of crime, including robberies, assaults and public disorder, are often linked to alcohol abuse, he said.
“Being proactive with respect to liquor enforcement can raise awareness and prevent violent crimes that all too often result from underage drinking, partying and driving under the influence,” Carbajal said.
Reach the reporter at mhendley@asu.edu
