NYE 2017 Safety Enhancement Zone & SCPD Top 5 Safety Tips For Your Night Out

SCPD is ready to ring in the new year and your safety is our #1 priority. We will have all hands on deck working New Year’s Eve.

Every available SCPD Officers will be patrolling downtown as well as our neighborhoods to ensure a safe environment for New Year’s Eve. SCPD has enacted a Safety Enhancement Zone designation for the downtown corridor in the City of Santa Cruz.

The City of Santa Cruz Safety Enhancement Zone boundaries and road closures is accessible on our Google Maps http://goo.gl/3VXQ0Y
Why create a Safety Enhancement Zone? 
Public Safety is SCPD's #1 priority. We want downtown to be a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

What time is the Safety Enhancement Zone in effect? 
The Safety Enhancement Zone in the downtown corridor will begin at 5:00 PM on December 31st and end at 5:00 AM on January 1st.

What happens in the Safety Enhancement Zone? 
The Safety Enhancement Zone allows for a “Triple Fine” to be levied on certain Municipal Code violations, such as possession of alcoholic beverages in public and other unsafe or illegal behavior related Ordinances.

WHAT is the purpose of the Triple Fines? 
The goal of triple fines is to deter unwanted behavior. The fines are very expensive. It's an extra incentive for rowdy people to keep their behavior in check.

Parks & Rec is hosting their yearly countdown at the Town Clock, starting around 11:40 PM.  The crowd rings in the new year with a DJ and light show. 

 

SCPD Top 5 Safety Tips for New Year's Eve 

#1 Don't Drink and Drive!
#2 Always designate a safe and sober ride home.
#3 If you plan on going anywhere for the New Year’s Eve, take friends with you! Stay with your group of friends.

#4 Have your cell phone with you and fully charged just in case anything negative occurs. Be prepared!
#5 Above all, go with your gut. If a street or bar feels unsafe, leave. Be aware of your surroundings and report anything suspicious.