Isla Vista conditions checked out in person by Supervisor Laura Capps as she calls for an eight-point safety plan

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – The crowded late night conditions in Isla Vista have been checked out in person by Supervisor Laura Capps who has announced an eight point safety plan.Capps recently discussed her concerns on the bluff top overlooking the ocean where a student, Benny Schurmer, fell to his death recently. 

For years there have been safety concerns.That has led to fencing and lighting, but Capps says more can be done, including raising the fence height.The park where the tragic death occurred was named after her late father Walter Capps, a former UCSB professor and member of  the U.S. Congress.

On weekend nights, thousands are out in the area in the streets and at house parties including apartment buildings on the bluffs. Some have eroded balconies with nothing but a steep drop off the ledge.The cliffs there are about 40-50 feet high. Capps has responded to concerns with the new safety plan in coordination with the Isla Vista Community Services District, the fire and sheriff's departments and both UCSB and Santa Barbara City College.

Capps said, "we can change the regulation and we can incentivise private property owners to raise their heights by waving  their fees, options like that. Regulatory options that sound very mundane in the face of what we are dealing with, but are absolutely necessary."

Capps says she carries with her the picture of Benny Schurmer who died in a cliff fall this month, as a reminder that safety changes here are a priority.

One of the recent concerns has been whole apartment homes or large scale parties that are run like a night club with a paid admission, on line registration, entertainment and bars that are beyond what would be considered a residential area house party.

"These commercialized parties where out of town promoters are making lots and lots of money off of residential districts," said Lt Garrett Te Slaa with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department. "These groups are coming in and taking over a full apartment complex and turning it into a nightclub, a full nightclub with a full  DJ and lights and amplified music and they are charging tickets and selling alcohol." There are concerns about underage drinking inside these locations as well.   
 Capps said, "it adds to the dangers, it adds to the numbers, it adds to the noise, it adds to the lack of safety and that  seems like something we need to tackle."   

The official plan for Isla Vista bluff safety from the Office of Supervisor Laura Capps reads:

1. Fencing: 

Stakeholders have conveyed that higher fencing is the top priority to prevent cliff falls. There are approximately 70 privately owned buildings on the coastal side of Del Playa and multiple County and Isla Vista Parks and Recreation parks. We will work closely with Planning and Development and Coastal Commission staff to expedite any necessary permitting. 

We will work with the Isla Vista Community and the Board of Supervisor to:

• Height Requirement: Amend Santa Barbara County Code and Building Regulations to raise the mandatory height for railings and fencing along the bluffs in Isla Vista. Currently the minimum mandatory height is 4 feet.  After hearing from the community, Supervisor Capps is suggesting a six feet minimum. 
• County land + Private:  To be clear, this height change would apply to both county land and private property. 
• Anti-climbing: Currently existing county fences are made with ‘anti-climbing’ material. We will inspect our fences to fortify these materials. 
• Private property owners:  To streamline this process for private property owners, we’ll be providing incentives to make these changes as easy as possible to come into compliance.
• Supervisor Capps will bring these proposed regulatory changes to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration by November 7th. 

2. Lighting 

These fatal cliff falls occur at night. In the past, lighting has been objected to by neighbors who want to protect their coastal views. We believe there are innovative ways such as motion sensor lighting to protect coastal views while also potentially improving public safety. 

• We are working with county staff to install innovative lighting along our fences. As a pilot, solar lights were installed on some signs already. 
• We will work with property owners to incentivize this as well. 

3. Warning Signs 

Currently the county has placed many warning signs explaining the dangers presented by the cliffs. Unfortunately, these signs are often stolen and found on the walls of dorm rooms and I.V. apartments.  Accidents happen at night then signs are not as visible. 

• We are working with County Parks to install durable signage, ideally well-lit. 
• As mentioned, the county has already initiated a pilot project to light some of the signs. 

4. Bathrooms

We’ve learned that one reason for people to hop the fence and/or get too close to the edge is to urinate.  More public bathrooms in Isla Vista has long been a priority for the Isla Vista Community Services District. 

• Weeks ago, the Capps office put a porta potty at Walter Capps Park.
• IVCSD has allocated $15,000 for more. Working with them, there are now 4 porta potties along Del Playa.
• We know there are issues with portable bathrooms and will pursue more permanent bathroom options.

5. Education

Isla Vista Community Service District has led the charge of educating students and the community about bluff safety.  We are grateful to the media for providing such valuable information about these inherent dangers, and of course to the families of those who have died for the public service they have provided for us all. 

• We will maintain our collaborative efforts with Santa Barbara City College, UCSB, and the Isla Vista Community Services District to both educate the community and further enhance existing initiatives. 

6. Horticulture

It has been suggested that there is effective shrubbery that makes it harder for people to trespass where it is unsafe for them to be, due to thorns, prickles or other sharp characteristics. 

• We are working with County Parks to explore the kinds of horticulture that can be planted that make it difficult to traverse. 
• Once we have recommendations we will share this information with property owners for them to do the same.  

7. Memorial 

We support and envision a memorial for the 13 people who have died as a way to honor their life and serve as a powerful reminder for safety. 

• Supervisor Capps is contacting the families to make sure they are comfortable with this idea.
• We are looking for who might want to sponsor this memorial.

8. Enforcement 

Currently, law enforcement is not able to stop people from acting unsafely on the cliffs, such as breaking up a party where people are sitting on balcony fences.  They need a stronger ability to uphold safety. 

• With the IVCSD, the Sheriff's office and the community we are working to strengthen the tools they have to prevent unsafe situations from escalating into dangerous situations. 
• This work began in early 2023.

Alcohol and Drug Use Considerations

It is essential to acknowledge that alcohol and drug use have played roles in some of the cliff falls that have occurred in Isla Vista over the years. Efforts to address these issues have included ongoing education and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting responsible behavior and personal safety, particularly during events like Deltopia and other gatherings. The presence of alcohol and drug use underscores the importance of increasing safety measures that can effectively deter individuals from accessing precarious areas along the bluffs, even when under the influence. Education alone, while valuable, may not always be sufficient to prevent accidents, especially when impaired judgment is a factor.