Isla Vista saw a rise in arrests, citations, and medical calls the weekend before Halloween, with Lt. Joe Schmidt of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol calling it the most active weekend since the Santa Barbara City College academic year started in August. 

As Halloween approaches, law enforcement and community organizers are preparing for a busier-than-usual weekend in the community adjacent to UC Santa Barbara

However, due to the county’s outdoor festival ordinance, the height of Halloween party activity may have already passed. 

Isla Vista had a total of 17 arrests and 80 citations on the Oct. 24-25 weekend. Additionally, Schmidt said, there was a significant increase in the amount of people crowding on Del Playa Drive and in medical calls related to alcohol overdose. 

“(Patients) had to be moved from Del Playa to Sabado Tarde so we could facilitate transport by an ambulance, because there were so many people on Del Playa that there was no way we were going to get an ambulance or the Fire Department there to provide these patients with help,” Schmidt said. 

While activity has been gradually increasing over the past few weeks, Schmidt said most calls have been related to disturbing the peace or alcohol violations.

However, there have been a few weekends with large parties, a fight breaking out, and there was a stabbing on Del Playa Drive on Oct. 4.

Schmidt said the Isla Vista Foot Patrol prepares for the increase in activity by increasing staffing. Sheriff’s personnel combined with the UCSB Police Department officers assigned to Isla Vista led to approximately 25 law enforcement officers working Friday and Saturday. 

On a normal weekend, five to six deputies will be assigned to Isla Vista. From the start of the Santa Barbara City College school year to Halloween, Schmidt said they will have six to 10 deputies working on the weekends, along with UCPD officers. UCSB starts classes about one month after SBCC, in late September.

As law enforcement and emergency responders prepare for the upcoming Halloween weekend, Schmidt said they’re using history as a road map.

“The last couple years of Halloween have been very manageable, with not as much staffing,” Schmidt said. “We are up-staffing, but not to the degree that we did for the last two weekends.”

Schmidt credits the subdued Halloween activity to Isla Vista’s outdoor festival ordinance that is in effect overnight every day from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4.

The ordinance prohibits any amplified music that can be heard from the property line with the intent to generate a large crowd. Violating the ordinance will result in fines. 

Additionally, Schmidt said, they usually see students leaving Isla Vista for Halloween, which is also why they’re expecting less activity compared to last weekend. 

“Because Halloween does fall on a Friday night, we do recognize that could bring in some more people, so we are up-staffing a bit,” Schmidt said. “But from a historical perspective, we anticipate it being less busy than last weekend.”

The city of Goleta is also recognizing the potential for more activity with the holiday on a Friday, and reinstated overnight parking restrictions in neighborhoods near Isla Vista.

While law enforcement officers are being proactive on arrests and writing citations, Schmidt said they’re focused on public safety.

“The goal for everybody, for all county public safety personnel, is the safety of the community during these weekends. That’s the primary goal,” Schmidt said. 

To support public safety efforts, Schmidt said they are working with the county Fire Department and American Medical Response ambulance crews to plan for a rescue task force that can get patients to an area where they can be treated. 

“This weekend we almost initiated a rescue task force just due to the high amount of medical calls we received, especially on Friday, but we didn’t need to get to that point,” Schmidt said.

While the noise ordinance is meant to limit unsafe Halloween parties, residents can get into the Halloween spirit at the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District’s (IVRPD) annual pumpkin patch with silent discos, games, and a costume contest. 

Kimberly Kiefer, general manager of IVRPD, said the celebration provides a safe environment that the whole family can enjoy.

“​​Whether you’re a 3-year-old or an 83-year-old, you can come out and have a good time at this event. That’s what this community is about,” Kiefer said. 

The two-night celebration Thursday and Friday will include dueling DJs, and numerous charters such as a pumpkin king and queen, an albino raccoon, and the antagonists Louis Deville and his henchmen, Chuck Bunger, who are trying to develop open park space. 

“Our district was born on Halloween in 1972, so we try to tell a fun story about why the district’s important, why parks are important, and why open spaces are important,” Kiefer said. 

Held on Oct. 30-31 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., festivities will also include LED light performances, World Dance for Humanity performances, and a costume contest with a $750 grand prize starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Register for the contest here.

Click here to read about parking restrictions around Isla Vista.