Isla Vista’s Cliff Fall Prevention Plan Progresses: Updates and New Measures Announced

One year following the tragic death of Benny Schurmer, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps, alongside Isla Vista leaders and students, shared significant updates on initiatives aimed at preventing further tragedies along the local bluffs.

The gathering took place at 6761 Del Playa, the site of recent safety enhancements, including the first raised fencing on private property as part of Capps’ 8-Point Plan that was launched one year prior.

Schurmer, a student from Santa Barbara City College, tragically fell from a bluff in September 2023, prompting the comprehensive safety strategy. The plan included heightened fencing, improved site lighting, and educational campaigns – components that were critically evaluated and discussed during the update.

Since the plan’s inception:

Fencing has been raised to 6-feet at all County parks along the bluffs, with additional private properties moving forward in the permitting process.
Motion-sensitive, solar-powered lights now illuminate County park fencing.
New warning signs have been installed across these areas to alert residents and visitors of the dangers posed by the cliffs.

Furthermore, the collaborative efforts have extended to include horticulture strategies, with prickly bushes and shrubbery planted to deter close proximity to dangerous edges.

The community also anticipates the installation of a permanent bathroom on Del Playa to better accommodate visitors and residents.

Significant educational efforts are underway, with enhanced safety information being included in UCSB’s mandatory student orientation and comprehensive bluff safety resources available in the SBCC student portal.

Highlighting ongoing enforcement and educational measures, Capps mentioned the Board of Supervisors’ recent passage of updated regulations for outdoor festivities and social hosting which have contributed to quieter, smaller, and earlier gatherings in Isla Vista.

In addition to the ongoing implementation of these measures, the County is addressing bluff safety proactively by requiring property owners to submit biannual measurements tracking the erosion near their properties. A memorial to honor those who have lost their lives is also planned, serving both as a tribute and a poignant educational tool.

The Isla Vista community has suffered 14 fatal falls since the mid-1990s. The most recent death took place in April with and a non-fatal fall in February.