SBSO: Isla Vista End of Year Enforcement

Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department

The week of June 11th will mark the end of the school year for many UCSB students and Isla Vista residents. It has been referred to in the past as “couch burning week” because many Isla Vista residents will bring old furniture and personal property onto the streets and set them ablaze. The end-of-year ritual of burning couches posses a serious risk to the health and safety of all Isla Vista residents. In 2005, there were 32 reported couch/furniture fires in Isla Vista, and only one arrest. In 2006, through increased enforcement and investigative efforts, there were 31 fires and 19 arrests.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department has worked with the District Attorney’s Office to increase the penalties levied against those who commit these arson crimes. Penalties for individuals caught igniting a fire or adding fuel to a fire will include restitution for fire response, repair to damaged roadways and property, as well as fines and incarceration. UCSB is also imposing administrative sanctions against students who commit these crimes. Fueling a fire or adding material to an already burning fire is a misdemeanor violation of section 41800 of the Health and Safety code. Igniting a fire is considered Arson, a felony violation of section 451 of the Penal Code. In the past, subjects have been injured by the fires and personal property not intended to be burned has been damaged.

The Sheriff’s Department will work this week with the County Fire Department, County Solid Waste Management and Marborg Industries to identify combustible material and remove it prior to being ignited. The Sheriff’s Department will also increase uniformed and undercover patrols in an effort to identify and arrest individuals who commit these crimes.