Authorities Gear Up For Isla Vista Halloween

Several hundred law enforcement officers from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and University of California Police Department are gearing up for Halloween in Isla Vista.

Officers are setting up a command post near the Isla Vista Foot Patrol where people who break the law will be processed.

There is also a first aid tent and a medical triage center set up for students who get injured or too intoxicated.

Officers will be on the lookout for alcohol violations, fighting, sexual assaults and other illegal activities.

Officers will also be enforcing a county festival ordinance which prohibits loud music that attracts a crowd.

The California Highway Patrol will also have a presence on the streets patrolling for impaired drivers.

This year, a large group of UCSB students are working with the Sheriff’s Department. They will pass out water and serve as advocates for students by helping communicate with law enforcement.

Here are some road closures to be aware of this weekend per the Sheriff’s Department:

Del Playa will be closed to street parking starting from Friday at 4:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6 a.m. Vehicles will be towed.
• Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 3 a.m. Trigo Road South into Isla Vista will be closed to vehicle traffic. Barricades go up at 4:00 p.m.
• The City of Goleta has strict resident-only permit parking.

The Sheriff’s Department says in the last few years, attendance for Halloween has dropped thanks to all the efforts put in place.

Last year, a few thousand people came to Isla Vista to celebrate compared to 12,000 to 15,000 in 2013.

Isla Vista residents said they were planning to attend a concert headlined by rapper Snoop Dogg on Saturday. The University is putting on the concert along with other student activities as an alternative to partying.