Keeping Halloween safe and sober in Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Police Department has released its plan, along with a clown-themed public service announcement, to “encourage respectful behavior” on Halloween night in the downtown corridor.

Downtown Santa Cruz attracts large crowds every year Halloween night. “Officers will be using a proactive strategy to minimize problems and reduce the opportunity for alcohol fueled problems and inappropriate behavior throughout the night,” according to the press release sent out Tuesday morning.

Last year, the Santa Cruz Police Department estimates the crowd size at 10,000 and says it responded to nearly 400 calls of service and made 20 arrests Halloween evening.

Law enforcement measures include a Safety Enhancement Zone that begins at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, running through 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1.

The zone means road closures, no parking zones and more than 100 uniformed police officers staffing the event. SCPD also says to expect increased lighting and portable restrooms throughout the downtown cooridor.

The Zone includes triple fines for certain violations. Here’s a quick look at some of the costs people could end up paying:

Urinating or defecating in public: $576

Open Container/Consumption of Alcohol Beverages in Public Places: $480

Discharge of Firearms: $1,440

Noise Control: $576

Abuse or Mutilation of Trees, Plans and Lawns: $1,056

Improper Vehicle Parking, Standing and Stopping: $576

The PSA includes the line: “Because if you’re drunk and causing trouble in in downtown Santa Cruz this Halloween, well, the costume you start out may not be the costume you end up in.”