No Major Incidents at Floatopia Event

Attendees Comply With Beach Closure

Isla Vista- April 11th, 2010

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s deputies and other members of law enforcement were kept busy during a street version of Floatopia on Saturday, April 10, 2010 as revelers complied with a Santa Barbara County decision to close the beaches around Isla Vista to protect the public and the environment.

An estimated 8,000 young adults and teenagers kept most of their partying on Del Playa and surrounding streets for most of the day. Meanwhile, 59 law enforcement personnel from four agencies (Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, UCSB Police, California Highway Patrol, and Alcohol Beverage Control) patrolled the area to keep the public safe and enforce the County Parks Department’s decision to close the beaches.

Although the crowd was largely peaceful and complied with the beach closure, there were several arrests and citations issued, which is not out of the ordinary considering the number of people in attendance, many of whom were drinking alcohol.

Statistics for all four agencies patrolling the area reported 31 arrests/bookings (most for public intoxication) and 139 citations, which were largely related to alcohol (i.e. minor in possession, open container in public, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and some violations of the party nuisance ordinance).

There were 12 medical transports, the bulk of which were alcohol related. There were no reports of any one falling off the bluffs.

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please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

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