Several people were arrested and others cited over the weekend during Deltopia, Isla Vista’s annual unsanctioned spring break party.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department issued 20 citations and made five arrests during three days, according to preliminary numbers released Tuesday.
Of the 20 citations issued, 11 involved a minor in possession of alcohol, five for an open container, two for alcohol-related offenses, and one each for possession of nitrous oxide and for violating the noise ordinance, sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick said.
The arrests included two people on suspicion of driving under the influence, along with an arrest on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, fighting in public and possession of a loaded firearm on campus, Zick said.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. Sunday, sheriff’s deputies assisted UC Santa Barbara police officers assigned to the Isla Vista Foot Patrol station on a traffic stop in the area of El Colegio Road and Ocean Road, Zick said.
The driver — Angel Carachure-Munoz, 20, of Santa Barbara — was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of a weapon on school grounds, Zick said. He was booked into the Main Jail and since has been cited and released by the sheriff’s department, Zick said Tuesday.
A passenger in the vehicle — Ismael Torres, 32, of Lompoc — was found to have a firearm concealed in his waistband, according to Zick.
Torres was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon carrying a loaded and concealed firearm, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and altering a firearm marking. He was booked into the Main Jail and has been released on bail, Zick said Tuesday.
Officials prepared in advance of the weekend celebration.
To provide students with an alternative to partying in Isla Vista, UCSB offered a virtual concert Saturday evening. In addition, the Isla Vista Community Services District provided door-to-door educational efforts, including information about the noise ordinance.
Isla Vista’s beaches were closed to public entry for the weekend to protect public health and safety as well as protect the shoreline from trash and debris as a result of the all-day party. In past years, the event was known as “Floatopia” because young revelers celebrated on the beach below Del Playa Drive.
Temporary beach closures will take place this weekend, just in case.
The Santa Barbara County Community Services Department is closing the beaches in Isla Vista from Friday through Sunday this weekend in anticipation of a potential Deltopia event. Officials anticipated the Deltopia street party to occur either the weekend of April 3 or April 10.
“Following the Floatopia event of 2009, the beaches at Isla Vista were left strewn with trash and debris, including human waste,” George Chapjian, community services director, said in a statement. “This large-scale event with thousands of participants had no provision for the health and well-being of the public, including no facilities for human sanitation or refuse collection.
“Therefore, the County of Santa Barbara has acted to close the Isla Vista beaches for similar events since 2010.”
The Sheriff’s Department will enforce the closure, according to the county.
Goleta’s temporary parking permit program in the neighborhoods surrounding Isla Vista occurred last weekend.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
