SBPD responded to 475 calls for service July 4-5, 158 of which were fireworks related — a significant jump from the five-year average of 40 fireworks calls during the holiday. | Credit: Paul Wellman (file)

The Santa Barbara Police Department saw a massive increase in crime over the Fourth of July weekend, with 11 serious and violent felonies and a 45 percent increase in calls for service last weekend compared to the five-year average for the Fourth of July.

SBPD responded to 475 calls for service July 4-5, 158 of which were fireworks related — a significant jump from the five-year average of 40 fireworks calls during the holiday. Of the violent and serious felony calls, four involved an assault with a deadly weapon. Additionally, police responded to an alleged hit and run with injuries in the downtown area as well as three grand theft investigations.


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Twenty of the remaining calls looked focused on house parties, which typically is normal on a holiday weekend but during a pandemic becomes a larger issue. According to Anthony Wagner with the police department, party “revelers” were not adhering to public health directives.

A total of 51 police reports were documented over the two-day period.


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