Strict Rules Brings Isla Vista Halloween Activities & Challenges a Week Early
John Palminteri
ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – The large scale Halloween events of the past have quieted down in recent years in the area filled with UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College students, but this year, Halloween activities could start a week earlier.
The community has worked hard on safe activities, alternatives to large events and a message to disruptive out-of-towners to stay out.
Lt. Joe Schmidt heads up the Isla Vista Foot Patrol for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept.
“The last few years we have seen a very a minimal impact of an out of town crowd for Halloween. I think the word is out that this is not the place to go,” he said.
Halloween is next Friday. Many parties are scheduled this weekend – which could bring out an infusion of festive local residents, their friends and curious outsiders.
“We have significantly upstaffed Sheriff’s deputies and UCPD officers for Isla vista to manage what we anticipate will be larger crowd coming,” said Schmidt.
Many residents say they will be gone for Halloween but here this weekend. Larsen Porter said, “and I went out last weekend and everybody was in costume and the spirit very much alive .”
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and other organizations have been doing outreach to “Keep it Safe, Keep it Local.”
The ordinances restricting live music and loud music to help control the atmosphere kick in over the Halloween weekend but they are not in place this weekend.
Alternative activities over the next week include a “Haunted Pumpkin Patch” in Anisq’Oyo’ Park, as organized by the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District (IVRPD).
In recent years, these events have also included carnival games, silent discos, and family-friendly activities in an area, which has year-round residents and many families.
The arrest totals have dropped significantly in recent years.
The Sheriff’s Department operating the Isla Vista Foot Patrol is collaborating with UCSB Police, the City of Goleta, the Isla Vista Community Services District, the Recreation and Parks Department,AMR, the County Fire Department and student leaders to have safe streets and a quick response to needs.
Some students say they want to have fun but they also want to be very aware of what is going on around them so they can avoid something bad happening and ruining their Halloween.
Emilio Lopez said, “we have a risk management team for my group that we have we always make sure that nothing bad is going on. it’s always safe even without the cops.”
It’s also a time when parents are checking in. Ayden Curameng said, “I am always talking to my parents and they are always saying be careful what you do and watch who you are around but I think I am good with being safe.”
While there will be beefed up law enforcement, fire, AMR and other services, Schmidt says “we have to protect their right to have fun and celebrate this great area but we have to make sure people are safe. ”
There will be safe stations set up for those who need to get away from big crowds or the wrong people, and there will be water to hydrate.
Malea Smith is a student who makes a plan to go out and get home safely. She has not had any negative experiences. “I felt safe every time I am out and I am always making sure I am with friends and I feel safe and I have walked home alone and it is totally safe.”
(More details about the Halloween week activities will be covered in the week ahead.)
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