Santa Barbara Police Department Reports 2024 Fiesta Crime Highest in Seven Years

The festive spirit of this year’s Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara was shadowed by a noted uptick in crime rates, as reported by the Santa Barbara Police Department. Authorities have shared a detailed account of the crime statistics and service calls during the celebration period, indicating heightened law enforcement challenges.

According to the detailed charts released by the department, there was a significant rise in service calls alongside a moderate increase in misdemeanor arrests during the celebrations, while the number of felony arrests remained on par with previous years.

During Fiesta, officers responded to 175 calls for service and fielded a staggering total of 661 emergency (9-1-1) calls.

The police made a total of 13 felony arrests, supplementing this with 73 misdemeanor arrests, which included four DUI misdemeanors and one DUI felony. Beyond the emergency communications, the department also managed 1932 non-emergency calls and dispatched responders to 1143 individual incidents.

Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon stated the calls for service and assists are the highest they have been in seven years.

The Santa Barbara Police Department’s disclosure of these figures aims to shed light on the extensive workload shouldered by the city’s emergency responders during such large-scale public events. This surge in law enforcement activity underscores the complexities involved in managing public safety during prominent celebrations that draw both local residents and visitors alike.

This year’s Old Spanish Days festivities have thus also highlighted ongoing challenges in balancing celebratory enthusiasm with the imperative of maintaining public order and safety.