4th of July Police Activity Nearly Unchanged

SANTA BARBARA - Over the 2011 fourth of July weekend there were a total of 51 DUI arrests in the county, with only five of those in the city of Santa Barbara.  DUI arrests increased 6% and 66% respectively in the county and the city from last year.  There were no deaths associated with DUIs.

The weekend counts from Friday through Monday.  The most interesting statistical change was in the amount of Parking tickets handed out over the weekend in the city of Santa Barbara.  There was a 489% increase in parking tickets year over year.    Sergeant Lorenzo Duarte claims the huge uptick is due to parking ticketing officers had their regular beats along with special 4th of July routes.  One cannot help wonder if there is any revenue generating drive behind this action.

Senior Deputy Jeff Farmer of the SB Sheriff’s office said that drunk or drugged drivers killed no one either year.  “That’s what we’re always aiming for,” he remarked.  “We’re pleased that people are getting the message about driving sober themselves or using a designated driver,” Farmer said.

The California Office of Traffic Safety funds Avoid the 12 through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The crackdown will hit the road again for an 18-day effort in the late summer.

SB City further distinguished itself this year with had 6 (no change) felony arrests, 18 misdemeanor arrests, 28 traffic citations, and 103 municipal code and misc infractions violations.