2018 Halloween Stats and Case of Interest

An estimated 6,000 people converged on downtown Santa Cruz to celebrate Halloween last night. This event has become the largest single informal gathering in the city. The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that Halloween 2018 transpired without any significant incidents of violence during the festivities downtown. 

The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that Halloween 2018 transpired without any significant incidents of violence during the festivities downtown. 

Notable arrest downtown on Halloween Case 18S-08284

Around 9:49 pm on 10/31/18, Santa Cruz Police officers on foot patrol contacted a man too intoxicated to take care of himself. Officer located a Highpoint 380' caliber pistol inside his backpack. The gun was loaded with a magazine and a bullet in the chamber. The serial numbers on the gun were scratched off.

Jimi Carrozzo, 34-year-old transient in Santa Cruz was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon with an altered identification and an outstanding warrant.

The Santa Cruz Police Department kept busy over the 24 hours of Halloween through the night and into the early morning hours of November 1st. We handled 352 calls for service. SCPD deployed officers throughout the city as well as a significant contingent of officers on foot in the Downtown corridor. The Halloween crowd demeanor on Pacific Avenue was relatively calm and celebratory.

The Downtown Deployment reported the following activity for Halloween Night 2018:
17 Arrests
For Public intoxication, Warrants, Drugs

57 Citations Issued
36 were for Triple Fine violations. Of the Triple Fine citations issued, most were for open containers of alcohol and public urination.

For comparison, in 2017 there were 18 arrests and 42 citations. Overall, downtown Santa Cruz, arrests were down by one, and citations were up from 2017.

Halloween police presence required extra officers from law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, Capitola PD, Watsonville PD, Scotts Valley PD, UCSC PD, Santa Cruz State Parks, California Highway Patrol, and Santa Cruz County Probation. Law enforcement officers from Alcohol Beverage and Control, State Parole and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Gang Team were present to support SCPD.

We want to thank all of the agencies who dedicated personnel and resources to assist the City of Santa Cruz throughout the night.