Group reports over 200 dirty needles found in Santa Cruz County

More used needles are turning up in public areas around Santa Cruz County.

The group “Take Back Santa Cruz” reported Friday that 229 needles were found between May 9 and June 9 of this year.

According to the group’s report, 188 dirty needles were found by city officials, and 41 were found by community groups and residents, including a 2-year-old at Cowell Beach.

Over the past 3-and-a-half years, more than 10,000 needles have been found in Santa Cruz County.