Jeovany Tzilin Gomez
Staff Writer
In mid-October, the Isla Vista Foot Patrol (IVFP) announced plans to enforce a noise ordinance during Deltopia weekend, the annual unsanctioned student event. The announcement caused negative reactions from students.
The Associated Students’ (AS) external vice president for local affairs (EVPLA), EJ Raad, stated in an Instagram post that the noise ordinance can possibly enforce students to shut down Deltopia. The proposal still requires approval from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.
Spencer Brandt, the president of the Board of Directors of the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD), shared updates about the noise ordinance in an interview with The Bottom Line. “The Sheriff’s Office informed me they plan to ask the County Board of Supervisors to expand the Outdoor Festival Ordinance from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. coverage to 24 hours,” Brandt said. “They’ve also indicated they’ll ask the IVCSD Board of Directors to take a formal position on this change.”
Brandt said that the IVCSD has heavily invested in “diversion strategies,” such as the Isla Vista Spring Festival, which encourages a safe space to have fun during the sanctioned event by offering free food, live music, and social activities. He stated, “Last year’s response to Deltopia [including law enforcement, EMS mobilization, and the Spring Festival] cost over $900,000 of Isla Vista taxpayer dollars. Yet we still had some of the largest crowds in many years.”
The Bottom Line interviewed undergrads for their opinions on the potential noise ordinance. An anonymous student argued that funding should be placed for organizations such as the IVCSD to continue promoting safe and educational events instead of law enforcement. They stated, “They [should] be investing in all of the other orgs on campus that continue to promote safe drinking, education, and community … I don’t think that [law enforcement thinks we are] capable of having safe fun and of having community guidelines and keeping each other accountable for it.”
Third-year history and sociology major Ashley Aguirre said that there should be a focus on community outreach whenever unsanctioned events are held in college towns. “I think it’s a nuanced question and there is a big concern over safety. I’m just not sure if the police should be the ones tasked with that,” Aguirre said. “There should be an emphasis on keeping Deltopia local and having IVCSD have more collaboration with UCSB on sending out this message.”
Third-year biology major Tyrell Morales expressed concern that the noise ordinance could raise tension between students and law enforcement. Morales said, “There is no way to stop an event so large entirely. We have seen this with Halloween by students resorting to rescheduling such events.” Morales also talked about how there’s no other alternative solution other than placing a no guest policy, similar to Aguirre’s perspective.
Brandt added that AS and the Sheriff’s Office will host a town hall gathering on Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. The town hall will allow people’s voices to be heard, whether they are for or against the noise ordinance. Brandt said, “I am committed to listening to law enforcement’s case for this ordinance and hearing feedback from the community … I encourage Isla Vista residents to attend and make their voice heard.”