Santa Cruz Police To Triple Fines In Downtown During Halloween

SANTA CRUZ, CA -- Fines will be tripled on Halloween night in downtown Santa Cruz in an effort to enhance safety measures, police said. The so-called Safety Enhancement Zone will be designated for the downtown corridor between 12:01 a.m. Oct. 31 to noon Nov. 1, police said.

The zone means municipal code violations will come with triple fines. For example, anyone caught with an open container of an alcoholic beverage could see a fine of $480 while anyone caught causing graffiti could see a fine of $576, police said.

In addition to the triple fines, the Safety Enhancement Zone will also dictate road closures and "no
parking zones."

Police said the planned Safety Enhancement Zone comes as downtown often attracts "large crowds" during Halloween.

"The police department will utilize over 100 uniformed police officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department and neighboring agencies to staff the event," police said in a press release. "Officers will be using a proactive strategy to minimize problems and reduce the opportunity for alcohol-fueled problems and inappropriate behavior throughout the night."

Last year the police department responded to 342 calls for service, made 18 arrests and issued 42
citations during the Halloween evening.

In addition to the additional officers, there will be increased lighting and portable restrooms throughout
the downtown corridor.

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