<p>IV is directly next door to UCSB. In fact, the campuses of UCSB sort of surrounds IV on three sides, IV’s fourth side borders the Pacific. Its not really a true city, and it is small, just 2 square miles, but with a population of 20,000. The inhabitants of the area are almost all college students. It is because of this set up that UCSB has the reputation it has as far as the party school image is concern. Take a bunch of college kids who are away from home, many for the 1st time, put them on the beach that is not on campus, thus not subject to campus policy and give them freedom, things are going to happen. Nevertheless, I would not consider IV to be a dangerous area in comparing to a dangerous inner-city neighborhood (neighbors watching your house, driving with your doors locked). If the last significant incident occured in 2001 (the accident WECANDOTHIS is referring to above) then that is nothing comparing to any college that is in a major metro area, i.e. Bay Area. I would suggest just using common sense as you should at any college. But I wouldnt use IV as a determent from attending UCSB if you desire to be a student there.</p>