Snitches get stitches..or not.
Maybe you have submitted an anonymous form on Smartsheets on those who have held large gatherings or you sent someone’s Snapchat story in the group chat talking about their lack of social distancing. Despite these forms of citizen reporting, parties are continuing to take place in Isla Vista, CA with little to no repercussions. COVID-19 cases in Isla Vista have increased in the past two weeks, staggering close to 200 total cases. As these gatherings fail to cease and ‘masking up’ seems to become less frequent, officials are looking to implement an “Urgency Ordinance” that makes having large gatherings a separate citation, rather than being just a simple noise complaint. The current Santa Barbara County noise ordinance states that if a gathering is past midnight on weekends, past 10 pm on weekdays or if a noise disturbance is called in, then a sheriff will be requested to terminate the event. In each instance, music or some sort of noise is required to ensure a complaint is filed. Since this protocol deals with noise-related disturbances, it makes the noise violation the offense rather than the disobeying of the county-wide ordinance on gatherings: remaining at least 6 feet apart from people not in your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. With the introduction of an enforcement protocol for the existing ordinance, subjects may be fined for defying such guidelines through the use of code enforcement officers. “The Public Health Officer Order prohibits gatherings in private homes that bring people from separate households together. This new ordinance would be a tool for that, as well as other violations of the health order being enforced,” said Spencer Brandt, President of the Isla Vista Community Services District.
“What I am pushing for is for the ordinance to specify that police would not be the ones doing the enforcing. The County can use public health officers that are unarmed, not a part of law enforcement, and still, provide accountability. When they respond to violations, the residents will receive fines, and those fines will go up if they are repeat offenders.”
To note the safety and well being of minority groups during this time, it is crucial that a decrease of police presence within the Isla Vista area is emphasized. The goal of decreasing law enforcement in Isla Vista aims to ensure a safer environment by reducing police intervention that statistically targets marginalized communities more frequently. Community Health Officers are not part of law enforcement but are figures to provide accountability for those who put the health of others at risk. In terms of qualifications, most health officers have a type of college degree, 36% of officers having a master’s degree, and must be following COVID-19 safety protocol. This includes staying 6 feet away from residents, wearing a mask at all times and practicing sanitation methods. To help promote this idea and put it at the forefront of the agenda, Gauchos 4 Transparency is drafting a letter of support for the new ordinance. “For many years, Isla Vista leaders have advocated for less police presence and we do not want to undo all that work or allow any officials to take advantage of this unique situation. As such, Community Health Officers are what the students want and should be implemented. People who do not live in Isla Vista should not be making decisions for a community that is mostly made up for UCSB and CC students,” said Isabel Mitchell, Co-Founder of UCST.
“The University has taken a laissez-faire approach and said it’s up to residents to police themselves in the countless emails they send us with no real action. The ordinance is essential to salvage whatever bit of the possibility of winter and spring quarter having increased in-person classes.”
The transition into fall welcomes not only the pandemic we continue to fight, but the return of the flu season as well. County officials must begin taking stricter action to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Passing this new ordinance can help decrease case numbers, while also considering the safety of groups who feel targeted by the police. The work by county officials and community members must be a symbiotic relationship. Both parties need to do their part in tackling COVID-19 together –– the future of Isla Vista depends on it.
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