The Bad News
The Festival Ordinance, which prohibits live or recorded music loud enough to be audible outside a residence, is now in effect from 6 p.m. through 7 a.m. the next morning. These extended hours went info effect Wednesday and will continue until next Friday, Nov. 4.
From 3 p.m. today until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, vehicles will be prohibited on the 6500 to 6700 blocks of Del Playa Drive, on the 6500 block of Trigo Road, on Camino del Sur and Camino Pescadero between Del Playa Drive and Trigo Road and on El Embarcadero between Del Playa Drive and the top of the loop. Cars in violation will be towed. Additionally, traffic will be blocked at six intersections in the area during this time.
If law enforcement deems Isla Vista unsafe for the public, the county will close all roads within the area and proof of residency may be requested upon entry.
Overnight guests are forbidden at all residence halls, including Santa Catalina — which is surrounded by chain-link fencing — until next Tuesday.
Last year, Isla Vista Foot Patrol officers made 251 arrests and issued 488 citations during Halloween weekend and attendance reached roughly 24,000. Overall, the festivities cost the IVFP over $600,000.
The Good News
As attendance has dropped over the past few years, the event’s destructiveness and disruption seem to be past their climax. Arrest and citation rates were even higher in 2009, amounting to 311 and 720, respectively.
IVFP Lieutenant Ray Vuillemainroy said the success of Halloween festivities is contingent on climate.
“At this point it’s hard to tell because the weather is good,” Vuillemainroy said. “Last year we had some rain and it decreased the turnout.”
In addition, Vuillemainroy said the size of the crowd did seem to demonstrate a downward trend and the university’s “Keep It Local” campaign has shown efficacy in decreasing nonresident turnout.
Emergency aid will be available to the public Friday through Monday where Embarcadero del Mar meets El Embarcadero, and an additional search and rescue unit will be posted on Camino Pescadero and Trigo.
UCSB students holding an Annual Night & Weekend parking permit will be allowed to park on campus from 3 p.m. today until 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. During this time, the permit will only be valid in parking lots 16, 18 and 22, with overflow in lots 30 and 38. All other campus areas are closed to public parking and offenders will be cited and towed.
