Isla Vista, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is releasing preliminary numbers related to the unsanctioned spring break event in Isla Vista known as Deltopia. The Deltopia weekend this year started on Friday, April 5, 2024, and ended on Sunday, April 7, 2024. During this time, the Sheriff’s Office and partner agencies issued 256 citations and made 32 arrests (all misdemeanors). In 2023, there were a total of 151 citations, and 23 arrests made.

Rain and wind on Friday made for a calm and relatively uneventful first day of Deltopia. The crowds were largest on Saturday and significantly higher than last year’s event. The attendees were concentrated at residences along the ocean side of Del Playa. Attendance spiked in the early afternoon along with an increase in emergency medical calls, most of which were for acute alcohol intoxication. Law enforcement assisted fire and medics in pre-planned rescue teams, responding to calls and clearing the roadway for access to patients in the densely populated areas that were inaccessible by ambulance. Patients were taken to a pre-staged medical area to regulate flow to area hospitals.

Most residents complied with the Outdoor Festival Ordinance, however 13 citations were issued for illegal parties, in accordance with the new Social Host Ordinance where deputies encountered rooftop partygoers and noise violations. One paid party was also shut down. Deputies noted compliance from the community on maintaining smaller, free parties. There were no incidents of cliff fall or fentanyl overdose fatalities. Sheriff’s Deputies successfully thwarted an adult male in his attempt to harm himself by running off a bluff edge.

Sheriff’s detectives are following up on two separate reports of rape. These investigations are ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office is aware that survivors of sexual assault and abuse are often reluctant to come forward for many different reasons. We have many resources available regardless of your decision to participate in a criminal investigation. Sheriff’s detectives coordinate closely with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Program to ensure the needs of survivors are not overshadowed by the focus on the investigation and prosecution of the accused. Victim Advocates are available to ensure that survivors are kept informed and supported throughout the criminal justice process. Survivors have the option of contacting the Victim-Witness Assistance Program directly at 805-568-2400 or toll free at 855-840-3232. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind survivors that they can also find support services through our community partner, Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA). Services offered by STESA include a confidential 24-Hour hotline, legal and medical advocacy and accompaniment, and counseling. You can reach a STESA advocate at any time by calling (805) 564-3696.

Finally, the Sheriff’s Office wants to thank our community partners and first responders from Santa Barbara County Fire, American Medical Response, Alcoholic Beverage Control, University of California Police, the California Highway Patrol, Santa Maria Police Department, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services.