Authorities in Santa Barbara County are preparing for this year’s Deltopia, a weekend-long unsanctioned street party notorious for arrests, citations and hospitalizations.
The massive beachfront party takes place this coming weekend in Isla Vista, a community located immediately adjacent to the UC Santa Barbara campus.
The party, which has taken many forms since its inception, has made national headlines as thousands of college-aged adults descend on the small community and fill all available space on Del Playa Drive.
While no party has reached the chaos of the 2014 event that ended in violent riots, Deltopia usually results in several arrests and multiple hospitalizations for drug overdoses or alcohol poisonings.
In 2023, more than 150 people were cited and dozens more were arrested. The year prior, authorities said they were “inundated” with emergency calls, the bulk of which were related to acute alcohol poisonings.
In the years since 2014, law enforcement has taken a more proactive role in monitoring and policing the unsanctioned party. This year is no different.
On Wednesday, a joint press release from the Santa Barbara County sheriff and fire departments laid out the plans for this year’s event, including safety tips and reminders about enforcement.
Among the chief concerns for first responders is the dangerous bluffs along the Isla Vista coastline. Authorities routinely respond to reports of injuries, and occasional deaths, involving people falling off balconies to the ground below.
While the views from cliffside decks might seem like the prime location for partygoers, officials warn it’s among the most dangerous places to be during Deltopia.
“Falls occur nearly every year, sometimes with tragic results,” the joint release states. “Stay behind all fencing or railings near the edge to avoid injury.”
Officials stress that residential decks aren’t equipped to handle the weight of hundreds of people piling on, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, warning that they’ve collapsed in the past and have resulted in serious, traumatic injuries.
Drug use and overconsumption is another concern for first responders, and officials are reminding those attending the unsanctioned party to be aware of the Good Samaritan Law, which allows a person to report a drug or alcohol overdose without fear of liability, even if the reporting person is under the influence at the time of the call for help.
“This law was created to encourage bystanders to assist in emergencies and is one of the community’s most powerful tools during Deltopia weekend,” officials said.
Additionally, partiers are urged to make way for first responders during any emergencies and work with them to ensure lives aren’t needlessly put into jeopardy.
But cooperation and preventative action isn’t the only tool authorities are willing to wield when policing Deltopia.
Restorative Justice, a diversion program that allows certain citations to be dismissed through community service or attending an educational class, will be suspended during Deltopia. That means any tickets issued during Deltopia will be brought into the courtroom, leading to possible charges and permanent additions to a person’s criminal history.
Other methods meant to curb illegal activity during Deltopia includes alternative entertainment in the form of off-site concerts, parking enforcement and a new “recovery center” with amenities like food, water and a momentary break from the festivities.
In their joint release, the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department urged those attending the party to “stay safe, act responsibly, and look out for one another,” adding that, while not approved or sanctioned by law enforcement or the university, those insisting on attending Deltopia should do everything in their power to make sure it “remains a memorable experience for the right reasons.”
And, as always, “keep it safe, keep it local.”