A draft planning document by the Department of Behavioral Wellness revealed that Santa Barbara has some of the highest arrest rates compared to other counties in California.
Santa Barbara’s average arrest rate among adults is 3,214 per 100,000 people. In California as a whole, the average rate is 2,440 per 100,000, meaning the county’s adult arrest rate is more than a quarter higher than the state’s.
The disparity is even higher for juvenile arrests. In Santa Barbara, around 744.2 juveniles per 100,000 are arrested, and in California, 371.5 per 100,000 are arrested. This marks a 67% difference.
Out of 58 counties across California, Santa Barbara County has the fourth-highest arrest rate among minors.
Data from the report’s “Disparities Analysis” further displays that the rate at which Santa Barbara residents receive mental health treatment is lower compared to the statewide percentage.
Around 2.9% of minors receive these services, while 4.2% of juveniles get mental health treatment statewide. For adults, there is also a gap because 2.5% of Santa Barbara residents seek mental health treatment, whereas 3.4% of adults across California do.
The disparity grows larger when examining Santa Barbara residents with substance use disorders.
Across California, about 36.6% of people who begin the process of seeking additional treatment follow through with the process. In Santa Barbara, only 25.6% do, showcasing that the county is trailing behind the state at 30%.
The most significant disparities were found among Santa Barbara children experiencing homelessness compared to minors statewide.
In the county, 13.2% of students are experiencing homelessness, while across California, 5.3% of juveniles are, which reveals a 149% disparity.
The rates of mental health crises and homelessness among juveniles in Santa Barbara, compared to those in California, have been suggested by some as a contributor to its high arrest rates.
According to a study conducted by researchers at the National Library of Medicine, individuals with any psychiatric disorder were associated with a four to five times higher risk of committing crimes.
Researchers further found that “drug use disorders” were associated with the most significant risk of crime spanning a lifetime.
“Studies among youth suggest an added risk of multiple psychiatric disorders (i.e., multimorbidity) to crime, and comorbid substance and mental health disorders are associated with greater risk of crime outcomes among forensic and psychiatric populations,” the report read.
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If “Behavior Wellness” would actually get out in the field and provide real services these numbers would be better. Probably what is happening around the state, by the way. Instead this department continues its historical preference to “study: and “facilitiate” and “report” on future “stragegies.” Etc. The Board of Supervisors and county administrator simply ignore this failure. Probably because they don’t want to step on the Sheriff’s toes.