Halloween in Isla Vista attracts fewer than expected

By ERIC LINDBERG — Nov. 3, 2009

Although the number of costumed revelers that poured into the streets of Isla Vista on Halloween fell far below expected figures, law enforcement officials made plenty of arrests and citations while medical staff treated dozens of alcohol-poisoned partiers.

Preliminary estimates from the sheriff’s department put the number of attendees at 25,000, less than last year and far below the projected 45,000 to 50,000 people expected to be in Isla Vista during the weekend.

“As of Sunday morning, the sheriff’s department reported 311 arrests and 701 citations for the entire weekend,” Sheriff’s Spokesman Drew Sugars said in a news release. “Alcohol played a role in a vast majority of incidents.”

More than 50 people were taken to the hospital for medical emergencies, many of which were linked to alcohol. Search and rescue team members roamed the streets of Isla Vista, offering first aid and transporting injured partiers to a triage tent on Trigo Road.

“People tumbling off the cliffs is a frequent problem in Isla Vista,” Sugars said in the release, “but as of Sunday morning there were no reports of anyone falling.”

More than 250 law enforcement officials and 100 support staff worked on Friday and Saturday nights to handle the masses of partygoers. Sugars noted the operation will cost the sheriff’s department more than $500,000, while additional state and county costs could push the bill closer to $1 million.

In addition to law enforcement efforts within the boundaries of Isla Vista, authorities also staged several sobriety checkpoints in the Goleta area during the Halloween festivities.

Seven people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence during the checkpoints, which were held on Friday and Saturday nights by Avoid the 12, a campaign named after the 12 law enforcement agencies in the county.

One of the suspects reportedly screamed obscenities and kicked the door of a patrol car into a state parks ranger, a move that earned him an additional charge of battery on a peace officer. The suspect had a $10,000 warrant for his arrest and refused to provide chemical samples for blood-alcohol content testing, authorities said.

Law enforcement officials also contacted a woman walking on the sidewalk who had consumed so much alcohol that she required transportation to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.

Along with stopping 111 vehicles during the two nights, officers involved with the Avoid the 12 checkpoints also conducted 40 DUI investigations, issued two citations, found three minors with alcohol in their systems, and discovered marijuana in one vehicle and an open container of alcohol in another.

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Police Presense : 11/3/2009

I think I passed every officer that night. Good job to those looking out for their fellow revelers and not letting things get out of control. No bad press for the Daily Beat Down to report. Thank You!

Boycott Boy

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