Edhat Staff
By the edhat staff
The Isla Vista community is gearing up for Halloween weekend with alternative events and increased law enforcement.
The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) is hosting a Spooky Spectacular event at the Isla Vista Community Center on October 28th from 3-10pm. The event will include games, hay rides, Halloween crafts, a photo booth, a silent disco, and costume contests. A children’s costume contest will be held at 5pm with prizes and an adult costume contest at 6pm with a grand prize of $1000. The event will conclude with an Ecstatic Dance and DJ from 8-10pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate.
IVCSD also issued a series of grants totalling $10,000 to the St. George Youth Center, Isla Vista Recreation and Park District, Santa Barbara Hillel, and Isla Vista Food Co-Op to host family-friendly Halloween events. St. George Youth Center is hosting a haunted house event on October 28th from 6-9pm. This event is catered toward guests of all ages and everyone will receive a goodie bag filled with Halloween memorabilia and literature promoting a safe Halloween weekend.
The Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District (IVRPD) will host a Haunted Pumpkin Patch from October 29-31 from 7-11pm nightly at Anisq’Oyo’ Park. In celebration of their 50th anniversary, residents and community members can enjoy an immersive theatrical experience with live-action storytellers, film screenings, a Halloween Street Carnival, a silent disco and a live Thriller flash mob performance by World Dance for Humanity. The Isla Vista Food Co-op will also have a “spooky spin-the-wheel” table with prizes to pass out to participants.
“Isla Vista residents are taking the lead to continue to keep Halloween weekend safe, local, and healthy. These Halloween events and programming are key to creating a healthy environment in our community,” said Spencer Brandt, IVCSD Board President.
UC Santa Barbara will also host on-campus events for students and residents. The Recreation Center, will host Hallowheels on October 28 at 9:00 p.m. offering roller skating, pumpkin painting, silent disco, photo booth, costume contests, e-sports, free food and candy, a spooky movie, s’mores, cornhole and more.
UCSB’s Associated Students Program Board will present its popular students-only concert event, Delirium, on Saturday, October 29 at the Thunderdome.
As in past years, UCSB stated that no overnight guests are allowed in any of its residence halls or in university-owned apartments (except Family Student Housing) from 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 to 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 31.
Overnight visitor parking will also be closed on Friday and Saturday as well as campus checkpoints to provide additional security.
Isla Vista Safety Stations will have extended hours from 6pm-2am on Friday and Saturday. Safety Stations provide a space for people to request a safety escort, phone charging, get water, and a safe place to rest. IVCSD is committed to working with community partners to create a more positive atmosphere in Isla Vista during Halloween.
Additionally, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office worked with community stakeholders and allied agency partners to develop a scalable operation plan with responsive staffing levels and presence based on activity and the ability of first responders to effectively manage safety and security.
The Outdoor Festival ordinance will be in effect this upcoming weekend, 6-70.01 Santa Barbara County Ordinance, from October 26, 2022, to November 4, 2022, and from the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within the area bounded by, and including, El Colegio Road, Camino Majorca to Storke Road, Ocean Road to Stadium Road and the Pacific Ocean in the unincorporated area of Isla Vista.
The Sheriff’s Office also plans to offer its Restorative Justice program for some minor infractions. The Restorative Justice class is a voluntary program that requires participants to attend a two-hour presentation. The class focuses on safety in Isla Vista as well as improving community relations and partnerships. Participants will be assigned an hour of community service in Isla Vista. Upon completing the class and community service the participant’s fine will be waived and the citation will not go on their criminal record.
Parking restrictions will be in place in the City of Goleta on Friday and Saturday nights. You can find more information on their website- CityofGoleta.org.
“The Sheriff’s Office has spent the past few months planning for a safe and enjoyable Halloween for Isla Vista residents. We’re prepared and have the resources we need to make this a safe event,” said Garrett TeSlaa, Lieutenant for the Isla Vista Foot Patrol station.
There hasn’t been a Halloween block party in IV in more than a decade yet the surrounding areas are in still in parking lock down