Police Department Conducts Secondary Test of New Evacuation Siren Tone

Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

On Thursday, November 18, between the hours of 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., the Santa Barbara Police Department will be conducting a secondary test of a new emergency evacuation siren that is currently being outfitted on marked police vehicles. This siren may be heard in the area of Loma Alta Drive and the lower west side.

The sound of this new siren tone is unique and is similar to a police siren heard in Europe.

With new legislation passed this year, this siren tone has started to be implemented and installed on police vehicle vehicles throughout the state to notify neighborhoods of evacuation during an emergency or natural disaster. 

Do not be alarmed. This is only a test and there is no need to evacuate.

A full press release and public service announcement video will be disseminated to the media and the public explaining more about this evacuation siren tone in the near future.