Sheriff’s Office cracks down on crowds in Pleasure Point

PLEASURE POINT, Calif. (KION) Larger numbers of people than normal are coming to Pleasure Point, according to neighbors.

“Especially on the weekends, you come down here and everybody thinks it's like spring break,” Pleasure Point resident Rick Ward said.

Several residents have wrote to KION about their concerns that people are coming to Pleasure Point from the Bay Area or other places in northern California during the shelter-in-place.

“I’m sorry, coming to Santa Cruz to go surfing is not essential for people who live in other counties,” Santa Cruz county spokesman Jason Hoppin said.

There are signs posted around Pleasure Point as reminders to stay at least six feet away from anyone you don't live with.

“I’ve noticed more people cooperating than less,” Pleasure Point resident Heather Goode said.

Friday, several deputies from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office patrolled along East Cliff Drive, and called out on a loud speaker to any groups of people or others just hanging out.

The Sheriff's Office has not cited anyone for breaking social distancing guidelines yet, but said they are starting to enforce it more strictly. They have a tip line (831) 454-7747 to report any violations to the shelter-in-place order.

Health officer Dr. Gail Newel said they purposely made the newest shelter-in-place not quite as strong as the Bay Area's, but that could change.

“If we experience crowding and people not following the social distancing, I will close the parks and the beaches,” Newel said.

The current shelter-in-place order in Santa Cruz is in place until at least May 3.