Full Notification

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to report that it was another quiet Halloween in Isla Vista. Despite the fact that Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, which historically has attracted a large number of out-of-towners, this year the crowd size was substantially lower and made up of mostly locals. The crowd was estimated to be around 500 people on the streets of Isla Vista compared to several thousand last year in 2014 and 12 to 15 thousand in 2013.

Although final numbers are not in yet, there were approximately 28 misdemeanor arrests over the two day operational period as opposed to 40 jail bookings in 2014 and 200 in 2013 (which included a three day operation). This year there were approximately 16 citations issued as opposed to 40 in 2014 and 250 in 2013. There were 7 medical transports which are significantly lower than in previous years.

The Sheriff’s Office attributes the decreased numbers in both attendance and arrests to a number of factors including the ongoing efforts of the Isla Vista Safe Committee and the continuing, comprehensive campaign on the part of the University of California Santa Barbara to keep the event safe and local. The University sponsored concerts and a variety of student-only centered activities which provided an alternative to partying and discouraged out-of-towners from attending. The Sheriff’s Office also appreciates the support from the Isla Vista community, including property owners and managers.

The Sheriff’s Office believes the strong law enforcement presence, including a large contingent of Sheriff’s deputies and University of California police officers brought in from other UC campuses, the Festival Ordinance which prohibited amplified music and strict parking restrictions, all played a role in discouraging out-of-towners from coming to the area. The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the City of Goleta for once again enacting resident-only parking restrictions in adjacent areas.

The Sheriff’s Office also wants to thank the students of UCSB and Santa Barbara City College for their cooperation and willingness to help protect their community and keep it safe. This year, student volunteers with UCIV assisted law enforcement by passing out water and reminding students of important rules and ordinances.

Finally, the Sheriff’s Office wants to recognize and appreciate the many public safety officials who were a part of the Halloween Operation and their dedicated efforts to keep Isla Vista safe.