Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office getting into Spooky Season with traveling pumpkin contest

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office deputies and employees are getting into the Halloween spirit early. The department is having a pumpkin decorating contest. Then they're taking their gorgeous gourds on the road to show them off.

The traveling pumpkin contest will allow the public to see the creative side of their sheriff's office in person. Then they can vote for their favorite.

Bobby Cobb is a lieutenant at the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office. He's excited to see what creative creations his coworkers will come up with.

“I’m excited about the creativity that our officers have, actually all of our employees not just our officers,” said Lt. Cobb.

Last year a black pumpkin with a scene inside was the department’s winner. For over a decade the sheriff’s office has used its pumpkin decorating contest to boast morale while working the holiday. And this year they’re taking their gorgeous gourds on the road to show them off to the community.

SBSO spokeswoman, Raquel Zick, said, “Schools, care facilities, any kind of group setting where we can set this up outside. And you can see them in-person because they’re a lot more impressive in-person than they are through pictures.”

For deputies and staff the competition is pretty intense. But the goal is to have fun and, “I think it’s important to let people know that we are people too," said Lt. Cobb. "Not everything is about law enforcement. It’s creativity, it’s the fun side, it’s things like this that build moral, keep our spirits high and let the community know that we are one of them.”

To find out where the touring pumpkin patch will go or to schedule a visit to you email pio@sbsheriff.org or info@sbsheriff.org