With student-only events hosted at UCSB and parking restrictions in place throughout Isla Visa, authorities are hoping for a low-key, locals only during the unsanctioned street party event known as Deltopia this weekend.
Here are five things to know about the 2019 event:
1. Police presence
As has been the case in previous years, there will be an increase in law enforcement around campus. The UCSB Police Department will be utilizing mutual aid officers from other UC campuses. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and Isla Vista Foot Patrol will also be on alert to ensure the appropriate amount of resources are available, though the exact number of law enforcement officials on the streets was not released.
“These types of events can attract people who don’t have the best intentions who come into the area to commit crimes,” Kelly Hoover, sheriff’s spokeswoman told the News-Press. “We want to make sure we have enough resources to ensure safety for everyone.”
The UCSB Police Department will again be coordinating with the Community Service District of Isla Vista for a “Safety Station” set up near campus to handle incidents and medical emergencies, according to acting Lt. Matt Bowman, police spokesman.
2. Student-only events
The UCSB Associated Students organization will be hosting its fifth annual “The Warm Up” concert on at the Thunderdome on Saturday night featuring Troyboi and a special guest. Friday night activities will include pizza, music and roller skating at the UCSB rec center. Both events are open only to UCSB students.
A no-guest policy will be in effect for all UCSB residence halls and apartments, both on campus and in Isla Vista, from 5 p.m. tonight through 10 a.m. Sunday. No visitor parking passes will be available in the UCSB-run apartment communities, according to campus officials.
3. Crowd sizes
The number of people attending the event is expected to dependent on the weather forecast – with a slight chance of rain Friday night.
Last year, there was a slight increase in attendance, with crowd sizes estimated to be around 10,000 people (up from an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 the previous year).
Two gun arrests marked an otherwise uneventful Deltopia in 2018. Preliminary statistics released last year indicated 56 citations and 25 arrests were made, both down from the 68 citations and 42 arrests in 2017, according to authorities.
There was an uptick in alcohol- and drug-related medical transports last year, with 25 reported in 2018 compared to 14 in 2017. Paramedics used narcan on one subject suffering from an opioid-related overdose last year and a partier fell off a balcony in the 6800 block of Del Playa Drive but did not suffer serious injuries.
4. Beach closures
The beaches in Isla Vista will be closed Saturday and Sunday to prevent a potential “Floatopia” event.
The closure will seek to prevent a reoccurrence of the conditions that resulted from the 2009 event, which left the beaches strewn with trash and debris, including human waste.
“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,” George Chapjian, community services director for the county, said in a news release. “Therefore, the County of Santa Barbara has taken action to close the Isla Vista beaches for similar events since 2010.”
5. Parking restrictions
The city of Goleta will be imposing temporary parking restrictions in the area of Hollister Avenue to the southern city limit (Whittier Drive), and from Cannon Green Drive (including the cul de sac streets west of Cannon Green Drive) to Storke Road.
Those who live in the affected area received two parking permits in the mail last month. Residents will valid permits will be able to park on the street from 7 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday.
Parking on campus will be restricted beginning at 5 p.m. tonight through 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Daytime parking is available only to vehicles with valid permits authorized by the school. Unauthorized vehicles parked on campus overnight are subject to a $300 citation fine and impound at the owner’s expense.
At the discretion of law enforcement, access to El Colegio Road may be closed for safety reasons and proof of residency may be required to enter. Some streets will be barricaded, prohibiting vehicular traffic.
Additional parking restrictions will be in place for certain blocks in Isla Vista and in Goleta neighborhoods around UCSB. Parking lots in retail areas of Goleta, such as Camino Real Marketplace, University Village Plaza, the former Kmart center and Fairview Center will be closed to out-of-town visitors, according to campus officials.
The county festival music ordinance will be in effect beginning tonight through Monday. Between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m., amplified music of any kind is prohibited at I.V. residences. Live or recorded music loud enough to be heard outside a residence can result in a $500 fine.