Crime & Safety

Santa Cruz Police Arrest 50 Halloween Night

Public intoxication, code violations, such as urinating in public head the list.

About 15,000 people came to downtown Santa Cruz on Halloween, according to Santa Cruz Police, who teamed with nine other agencies, including the Sherif's Department and the California Highway Patrol, for what has become the largest single informal gathering in the city.

Overall, calls and arrests were up from 2010, in which 40 people were arrested from an estimated crowd of 20,000.

There were 34 arrests for public intoxication/alcohol related offenses, including two juveniles.

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There were also cases of domestic violence, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of a switchblade, drug possession, parole violations/warrants and resisting arrest.

There were 49 triple fine violations, with fines up around $1,000 or more. Those included open containers and public urination.

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Police contacted gang members in the course of the night and found one unloaded handgun, one switchblade and two pellet guns were removed during the evening. Additionally, one documented gang member was found in possession of a hammer.  

Police responded to 347 calls in the rest of the city.Overwhelmingly these calls, especially later in the evening, were for parties and issues (such as fights) stemming from the parties, they said.

At 7 p.m., police arrested a juvenile at City Hall who was making torches from magazines. A First Alarm guard saw the 17 year-old who was arrested for loitering and attempted arson.

By this reporter's observation, at 7 p.m. the crowd was more family-oriented and sparse. At 9 p.m. throngs of University students made an appearance. After 10 p.m. more and more people not in costume began showing up and watching the others.


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