Isla Vista

Halloween arrests, citations rise in I.V.

Hundreds of people were arrested or cited Saturday night into Sunday as thousands of costumed revelers descended on the community of Isla Vista for the annual Halloween celebration, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

Officials estimated the crowd at some 25,000, many of them college-age partiers from outside the area. Attendance at the unsponsored event was less than last year, deputies said, but arrests and citations were up.

The Sheriff's Department reported 311 arrests and 701 citations for the entire weekend, and said that alcohol played a role in majority of those incidents.

More than 50 people required hospital treatment, and the sheriff's volunteer Search and Rescue Team was kept busy throughout the weekend offering first aid and/or wheeled transport to a medical triage tent on Trigo Road that was staffed by paramedics.

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

More than 250 sworn law enforcement personnel and at least 100 support staff worked through the weekend to ensure the safety of the citizens of Isla Vista and the thousands more who came to visit.

The weekend operation will cost the Sheriff's Department more than $500,000, officials said. After state and county resources are included, the bill could reach $1 million for taxpayers, they added.

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Buellton

Minor injuries reported in crash

A head-on collision on Highway 246 near Mail Road west of Buellton Sunday afternoon caused minor injuries to at least one person, according to the CHP.

Few details were available about the accident, which occurred at about 3:15 p.m. and involved a Ford Mustang and a Ford Escort, according to the CHP.

Lanes of the highway were blocked briefly, but were reopened a short time later, the CHP said.

- From staff reports

November 2, 2009