DUI Checkpoints & Crime on the Road, Sobriety Checkpoints

Isla Vista- October 30th, 2009

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department is preparing to keep the peace during the annual Halloween celebrations in Isla Vista. The Department’s mission of protecting life and property will face an added challenge this year with Halloween falling on a Saturday.

Over the years, the annual unsponsored event has attracted thousands revelers to the small college community west of Santa Barbara. With Halloween taking place on a weekend, even larger crowds than normal are expected. “We could see up to 50-thousand people packed into just a few square blocks,” says Lt. Brian Olmstead of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. “Most are there to have a good time, but unfortunately when you add alcohol, the recipe for danger increases dramatically.” Last year law enforcement made 220-arrests and issued 438 citations. Emergency personnel transported 55 people to the hospital; most were victims of alcohol poisoning. Two people fell off the cliffs with one suffering serious injuries.

The majority of arrests and citations are not only alcohol related, but involve people from out of the area. That’s why local residents are discouraged from inviting out-of-town guests to party. The bulk of problems may be coming from out of the area, but local taxpayers are the ones footing the bill to keep people safe. “The weekend operation will cost the Sheriff’s Department alone nearly half a million dollars. Overall, the price could reach a million dollars when you add in the cost to other agencies and nearby communities,” says Lt. Olmstead.

Due to the danger posed to people and the cost to the community, the Sheriff’s Department will continue its policy of maximum enforcement during the Halloween weekend. Deputies will set up mobile booking units to handle the large amount of intoxicated people who break the law. Underage drinking will not be tolerated. A first time minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage citation carries a fine of $400. Arrestees can expect to pay between $650 and $1,000 in fines for being drunk in public and $1,600 for a first-time DUI conviction.

“Avoid the 12” will field four extra patrol units with the sole responsibility of keeping drunk drivers from entering or leaving Isla Vista. The extra units will focus on Goleta and the areas surrounding Isla Vista. The Santa Barbara office of the California Highway Patrol also plans a sobriety checkpoint during the weekend. Deputies and UCSB officers, along with Lompoc Police Officers and State Park Rangers will staff the patrols.

Parking will once again be very difficult, especially for out-of-towners. No parking will be allowed on Del Playa Drive from 3:30pm Friday until 10:00am Sunday morning. Del Play and Sabado Tarde Road east of Camino Corto will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6:30pm-3:00am on Friday and Saturday nights. Public parking in the city of Goleta will be limited with many businesses closing their parking lots.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department is committed to providing a safe environment for the citizens of Isla Vista.

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org
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