Halloween night in Santa Cruz: arrests down, citations up compared to last year

About 20,000 people showed up in their costumes in downtown Santa Cruz Saturday night, for an event now being called the largest informal gathering in the city.

Dozens were arrested and several others are facing fines. But, police said this year there were less arrests and more citations handed out compared to last year.

With more than 175 officers patrolling the city, Santa Cruz Police said a total of 27 people were arrested, 20 of which were busted for being drunk in public.

Overall, 73 people were cited. 40 of those people received triple fines, mostly for having open alcohol containers, according to police.

Santa Cruz Police had the help of California Patrol Officers and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s gang team.