Sobering Center and Crossing Guards Saved

The Sobering Center will not be shut down and the school crossing guard program will continue, in spite of intense budget pressures on the City of Santa Barbara. Both programs have confronted uncertain futures in light of City Hall’s $9 million budget gap. Where the money will come from to fund the crossing guard program remains uncertain, but councilmembers directed City Administrator Jim Armstrong to figure it out. City Hall and the School District will split the cost of the program. Likewise, it remains uncertain where the Police Department will find the $211,000 to keep the Sobering Center operational for the next year, but a majority of the council made it clear they wanted the center to stay open at a special budget hearing on the Police Department held last Thursday.