Fencing Goes Up in and Around Isla Vista for Halloween Weekend

Miles of fencing have gone up in Isla Vista to help with crowd control efforts when the unpermitted Isla Vista Halloween street party takes place.

Crews put a temporary barrier down the length of El Colegio Rd. where students often jay walk across the street to and from the main housing area of Isla Vista. With the fence, there will be directed openings at intersections where signals are.

Many home and apartment owners have also installed prefabricated fencing panels to keep large groups of people from swarming properties, committing crimes or in the areas where properties are on the bluffs, it creates some protection from the steep cliffs.

Several students were aware of the widespread information that’s been out for the last two weeks to warn those who live or plan on visiting Isla Vista, that there will be a heavy law enforcement presence and zero tolerance for violations.

“I don’t think it will make that much of a difference, but it’s not a bad idea at all,” said Isla Vista resident, Kane Rhee. “Keep people to respect your property. I know a lot of things get broken, properties get broken into, mirrors get punched off of cars, I see that. I saw it last year during Halloween.”

Weeks of planning has resulted in a blitz of information, alternative choices, and tough rules for the area.

“UCSB is having a concert Friday night which is a good idea, to keep the students off the streets (and together) said Ryan Ticfen who will be around Friday night but plans to leave town Saturday when a second wave of Halloween revelers is expected.

“Most of us are trying to get out town because it was ugly last year,” said Ticfen.

The on campus concert features Young the Giant, a rising modern rock band. Tickets are $5.00 each for students only with proof of student identification.

Signs are up on many streets where parking is now restricted or where parking will be banned this weekend. Cars left out will be towed.

There’s also a video hitting social media pages of a worked version of the Michael Jackson Thriller song to include words of warning about Isla Vista’s Halloween and also encouragement to keep it local. Students appear in different festive roles in the video with costumes and red party cups.

It’s estimated that there will be 300 law enforcement officers, and a price tag of over $400,000 to cover services needed for the event.

Many support agencies will add staff and set up coordinated response plans.

This includes Search and Rescue, AMR, Santa Barbara Co. Fire, and UC Santa Barbara staff.

Letters of warnings have gone out to area high schools, and colleges to remind those who are planning to come to Isla Vista, there will be traffic and very strict regulations.

In past years, many of those attending have come from throughout California, and the impact has extended out beyond Isla Vista, to Goleta and Santa Barbara.

Over 2000 Goleta residents have been issued parking permits for their own streets to allow them to have vehicles in front of their own homes, and it prevents out of the area guests going to Isla Vista from crowing neighborhoods.

Economically, there will be no shortage of alcohol, food, and coffee drinks sold in the area, and some restaurants will remain open all night.

Electronic signs have been posted at UCSB reminding those on campus that parking for the Isla Vista party will not be allowed and special permits have to be posted on vehicles.