The South County Operations Division is under the management of Commander Brad Welch and maintains three primary patrol stations each which are commanded by a Sheriff’s Lieutenant.

The areas include the Coastal Station in the City of Carpinteria, the Goleta Station located at Sheriff’s Headquarters, and the Isla Vista Foot Patrol Station located in Isla Vista adjacent to the campus of the University of California. A satellite office is located at the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta. The division is responsible for the geographic area from the Ventura/Santa Barbara county line to the Gaviota tunnel and from the Channel Islands to include the Santa Ynez Mountain range.
Due to response times, the South County Operations Division includes the Santa Ynez River Recreational area of the Los Padres National Forest. This division also has jurisdiction over Channel Islands National Park consisting of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa Islands. Also located within the South County Operations Division are two of our four contract cities, Carpinteria and Goleta. These two incorporated cities contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services rather than having their own police departments. The cities have contracted for law enforcement services that best meet their individual needs. Both cities have contracted for general law enforcement, investigative services, the City of Goleta has a School Resource Deputy and has augmented traffic safety contracting for a traffic unit consisting of four motorcycle officers; while the City of Carpinteria had augmented it’s services with a City Resource Deputy. The lieutenants responsible for the cities of Carpinteria and Goleta, respectively, also serve as the Chief of Police Services for their city.
Avoid. Deny. Defend.— Surviving an Active Shooter Event
SBSO Twitter Feed
Advertencia y Orden de Evacuacion has sido CANCELADAS a las 4:30 PM para el area quemada por Incendio Lake. Espere inundaciones/escombros en el area. Mantengase alerta a condiciones cambiantes. Informacion:
Una ORDEN DE EVACUACION ha sido emitida para propiedades identificadas asociadas con el area quemada por el Incendio Lake. Potencial para inundaciones repentinas, flujos de escombros, y desprendimientos de tierra. Desaloje antes las 3 PM hoy, 12 de febrero.
Evacuation Warning and Order have been CANCELLED as of 4:30 PM for the Lake Fire burn area. Expect flooding/debris in the area. Stay alert to changing conditions. Info:
📣 EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for specific properties within the Lake Fire burn scar. Potential for flash flooding, debris flows, and landslides. Leave by 3 PM today, February 12. Info and map: http://ReadySBC.org .
SBSO Instagram Feed
Join us for Coffee with a Cop ☕️ 🚔 - Saturday November 30, 2024, from 10a-12p at @ourelement 4890 Bethany Drive in Orcutt. Hope to see you there!!!
Join us for Coffee with a Cop ☕️ 🚔 - Saturday November 30, 2024, from 10a-12p at @ourelement 4890 Bethany Drive in Orcutt. Hope to see you there!!! ...
Congratulations to the Business Office team- winner of this year’s Pumpkin Contest “Crowd Favorite”. 🏆
They went above and beyond and dressed to match their pumpkin! 🐾 Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite online and at the Trunk-or-Treat events hosted by @girlsinc.carp @smpdhq @thecommunityhotrodproject
Congratulations to the Business Office team- winner of this year’s Pumpkin Contest “Crowd Favorite”. 🏆
They went above and beyond and dressed to match their pumpkin! 🐾 Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite online and at the Trunk-or-Treat events hosted by @girlsinc.carp @smpdhq @thecommunityhotrodproject
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Join Us! 🌟 The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has a career for you. Whether you are seeking a position as a sworn deputy or one of our professional support staff positions, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office offers an excellent career. We are always looking for men and women who support and model our guiding principles: Integrity, Caring, Courage, Fairness, and Service in all that we do! Career opportunities include law enforcement, custody deputies (both entry level and lateral) and civilian positions. We offer excellent salaries and benefits, a litany of assignments, and a chance to serve the Santa Barbara community.
For more information, visit SBSheriff.org and click on Join Us!
Join Us! 🌟 The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has a career for you. Whether you are seeking a position as a sworn deputy or one of our professional support staff positions, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office offers an excellent career. We are always looking for men and women who support and model our guiding principles: Integrity, Caring, Courage, Fairness, and Service in all that we do! Career opportunities include law enforcement, custody deputies (both entry level and lateral) and civilian positions. We offer excellent salaries and benefits, a litany of assignments, and a chance to serve the Santa Barbara community.
For more information, visit SBSheriff.org and click on Join Us!
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Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors honored the five individuals who courageously intervened in the bombing attack at the Santa Maria Courthouse on September 25, 2024. District Attorney Investigator Wayne Flick, Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Nelson, Security Guard Steve Neil, California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Hanrahan, and Santa Maria Police Officer Erik Hesch each demonstrated remarkable bravery and dedication to public safety, undoubtedly saving countless lives. 👏
Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors honored the five individuals who courageously intervened in the bombing attack at the Santa Maria Courthouse on September 25, 2024. District Attorney Investigator Wayne Flick, Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Nelson, Security Guard Steve Neil, California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Hanrahan, and Santa Maria Police Officer Erik Hesch each demonstrated remarkable bravery and dedication to public safety, undoubtedly saving countless lives. 👏 ...
☕️👮🏽♀️ Thank you to everyone who came out to Coffee with a Cop yesterday! We really enjoy these chances to connect with the public and appreciate folks who took time out of their morning to stop by for a chat.
Special thanks to Marketplace McDonalds for hosting and providing coffee! 🌟
☕️👮🏽♀️ Thank you to everyone who came out to Coffee with a Cop yesterday! We really enjoy these chances to connect with the public and appreciate folks who took time out of their morning to stop by for a chat.
Special thanks to Marketplace McDonalds for hosting and providing coffee! 🌟
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☕️Join us! We are excited to invite the community to Coffee with a Cop at the Camino Real Marketplace McDonald’s (6900 Marketplace).
🗓️The event will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
🍔McDonald’s will be providing free McCafe Coffees for attendees and the Sheriff’s Office will provide deputies who are looking forward to connect with the public!
Coffee with a Cop is a community outreach program designed to provide a relaxed environment for residents to engage with local law enforcement. This event offers an opportunity for open dialogue, building relationships, and addressing any concerns community members may have. The event is open to all members of the community, and there is no cost to attend. We encourage residents to come and meet their local law enforcement officers and enjoy a cup of coffee with us.
☕️Join us! We are excited to invite the community to Coffee with a Cop at the Camino Real Marketplace McDonald’s (6900 Marketplace).
🗓️The event will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
🍔McDonald’s will be providing free McCafe Coffees for attendees and the Sheriff’s Office will provide deputies who are looking forward to connect with the public!
Coffee with a Cop is a community outreach program designed to provide a relaxed environment for residents to engage with local law enforcement. This event offers an opportunity for open dialogue, building relationships, and addressing any concerns community members may have. The event is open to all members of the community, and there is no cost to attend. We encourage residents to come and meet their local law enforcement officers and enjoy a cup of coffee with us.
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