Police ready for Independence Day festivities

By ERIC LINDBERG — July 4, 2009

A beefed-up law enforcement presence is part of the city of Santa Barbara’s plan to keep the peace as thousands of local residents pour into the waterfront area for Fourth of July festivities this afternoon and evening.

Scott Naganuma, special events officer for the Santa Barbara Police Department, said supplemental gang enforcement and foot patrol squads, along with additional units working DUI enforcement, are on tap for the Independence Day celebration.

“Everybody works,” he said. “It’s maximum deployment.”

Although a healthy force of officers will be watching over the Fourth of July Parade down State Street at 1 p.m., the majority of police personnel will be hitting the streets during the afternoon and evening hours, particularly during the 9 p.m. fireworks display at West Beach.

“We’ll have approximately 120 sworn personnel working that day,” Naganuma said.

That includes regular patrol and beat officers, along with dozens of additional officers assigned specifically to Fourth of July duty.

A captain, five lieutenants, 18 sergeants, 96 officers, seven reserve officers and nine parking enforcement officers comprise the lineup, police officials said. Four California Highway Patrol officers will also be on the lookout for impaired drivers in the city of Santa Barbara, along with two DUI enforcement officers from outside agencies.

“We just try to make it as safe as possible for everybody,” Naganuma said. “The public should know that fireworks are illegal. You can’t be shooting off your own. There’s also no drinking allowed out in public, even along the beach.”

The fireworks celebration has been marred by gang violence during the past two years, something law enforcement officials hope to avoid this time around.

Last year, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death along the waterfront. Four people have been charged in connection with the stabbing, including the victim’s 17-year-old brother, two 15-year-olds and a 21-year-old.

Police also looked into the non-fatal stabbings of a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy during the 2008 fireworks show.

The year prior, a handful of minor gang fights kept law enforcement officials busy during the fireworks display. Spectators reported seeing gang members engaging in one-on-one fistfights before disappearing back into the crowds. A total of seven gang members and associates were arrested that evening.

Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum urged the public to make this year’s Independence Day celebration a safe and enjoyable one.

“I don’t think the Fourth of July is a time to be getting into trouble,” she said. “It’s a time to celebrate our country and the freedoms we have here. People just need to be safe.”

With the many celebratory events taking place today, the mayor said it should be difficult to get into any mischief. From military vehicles on display at the Veterans Memorial Building to the Spirit of ’76 Parade down State Street, the day is packed with patriotic festivities.

Blum said she plans to make an appearance at the annual pancake breakfast benefiting the Montecito Fire Department’s charitable foundation before marching in the parade and enjoying the free Santa Barbara Symphony concert at the courthouse’s Sunken Gardens.

“It’s going to be a very busy day, but a very fun day,” she said. “We’ll see people of all ages out there, just celebrating our freedoms.

With the series of wildfires that have threatened the Santa Barbara community and left hundreds without a home in the past year, Blum said today’s celebration is particularly poignant.

“We’re closer together as a community now, and I think we’re celebrating even more,” she said.

The city’s annual Independence Day party will be capped by a 22-minute fireworks show by Pyro Spectaculars. The show will be preceded by SPARKLE’s Freedom Celebration, a family-friendly event featuring patriotic songs beginning at 7 p.m. along West Beach.

Officials urged the public to follow certain regulations that apply throughout the day. Those include no personal fireworks, no alcohol, no glass, no pit digging, no open fires, no dogs on the beach and no parking along the railroad tracks.

In Goleta, the annual Fireworks Festival is back after being cancelled last year due to the Gap Fire. Residents are being invited to enjoy jump houses, face painting and other activities during the celebration, which begins at 4 p.m. at Girsh Park.

Live entertainment includes Beatles-tribute band Imagine, Irish band Dew Drops and the Young Singers Club. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children between 3 and 12 years old.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime and the Rotary Club of Goleta, the celebration will be capped off with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the clubs’ foundation that supports local youth programs and community activities.

Organizers recommend bringing law chairs, blankets and cameras. Coolers and backpacks will be allowed, but are subject to inspection. Pets, alcohol, glass containers, weapons and gang attire are strictly forbidden.

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Police : 7/4/2009

The police aren't doing anything. Baby sitting another "community event" means nothing. Locals are bad enough and then this city attracts recreational drivers who enjoy our low traffic streets to race around and compete on. Motorcycles clubs and hot rods clubs own our streets and it is because the police aren't doing anything about it. So much for traditional traffic enforcement or trendy calming. Whatever happened to good old punitive citations.

Neighborhood Watch

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Blum is an idiot : 7/4/2009

So Marty Blum says that after the fires: “We’re closer together as a community now, and I think we’re celebrating even more.” Are people that lost their homes really celebrating more this year? Leave it to Blum to make such an insensitive, out-of-touch comment.

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Full Throttle : 7/5/2009

This morning is quiet except all to full throttled motorcycle revving it up in the area by the freeway

Modoc Road

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PATHETIC ARTICLE : 7/5/2009

Where is the story on the parade, the fireworks, and the locals who participated to a great 4th of July? The Sound should fold.

ANNOYED

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WHO CARES ABOUT WASTED TAX DOLLARS ON POLICE HARASSING PEOPLE FOR HAVING A GOOD TIME? : 7/5/2009

I SURE AS HECK DON'T . TIRED OF POLICE AND FIRE RECEIVING SO MUCH PROPAGANDA. THEY WERE WRITING PEOPLE UP FOR NOTHING. THEY ARE PATHETIC.

ANTI WASTED DOLLAR

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