23 Arrested, 59 Cited On Halloween In Downtown Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Twenty-three arrests were made and 59 citations were issued, but there was no "significant incidents of violence" reported Halloween night in downtown Santa Cruz, according to police.

"The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce the 2019 Halloween event
transpired without any significant incidents of violence," the agency said.

Approximately 8,000-10,000 people celebrated downtown, beginning in the afternoon with trick-or-treating children and families, the department said, adding that roughly 100 law enforcement personnel patrolled the area and responded to more than 200 calls for service between 5 p.m. Oct. 31 and 8 a.m. Nov. 1.

Of the 23 arrests, 19 were for for public intoxication, two for driving under the influence, one for battery and one for felony possession of a billy club. All arrested were adults, and the total was up from 17 in 2018, police said.

The 59 cited also were all adults with 44 citations issued for Triple Fine violations, primarily for open containers of alcohol. In 2018, 57 citations were issued, and 36 were for Triple Fine violations, the department said.

Assisting Santa Cruz police in the downtown operation were officers from the Capitola, Watsonville and UC Santa Cruz police departments, the California Highway Patrol, Santa Cruz County Probation, State Parole, Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, State Parks, Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force and Alcohol Beverage Control, plus employees from the city's Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works.