Traffic Detours - Delays near UCSC UPDATE

UPDATE - 3:15 PM

UCSC protestors say protest will be over at 7 pm. If so, we will re-open roads and end detours soon after that time. More info at ucsc.edu/advisory

11:00 AM Traffic detours are now in place near UCSC. Drivers can expect detours at the following locations:

•  High/Cardiff
• Bay/Meder 
• Western/Empire Grade

 We expect traffic delays in area around campus throughout the day. Updates can be found on the UCSC website by clicking here.

Traffic Advisory - UCSC Protest on March 1st

We wanted to alert residents to possible traffic delays throughout the western portion of the city tomorrow (March 1st) due to a planned protest at UCSC. The University has put together a website for updates - you can click here to view it. The protest is expected to last throughout the day - we will provide updates when possible via our Nixle alert system. The delays will most likely impact the areas closest to campus and feeder streets to campus.

Department Joins with UCSC on Party Patrols and Education Campaign

Over the last few years the Santa Cruz Police Department has partnered with UCSC on an education and enforcement campaign to help curb loud and unruly gatherings. UCSC has historically offered to help offset a portion of overtime costs for dedicated party patrols and this year the university has continued that program. Over the last three weeks, SCPD officers have run occasional party patrols working to help alleviate this continuing burden on local neighborhoods. Neighbors have often complained of parties with as many as 500 patrons, underage drinking, loud noise and all of the associated issues you would expect from parties this large.

During these operations over the last three weeks officers have given nearly 50 citations - most for noise violations or the City's Loud/Unruly Gathering ordinance. Additionally, at yesterday's neighborhood block parties, students and administrators from UCSC met neighbors as part of the education campaign. The occasional overtime patrols will continue throughout the year.

Get to Know Police Spokesman Zach Friend!

While you may know Santa Cruz Police Spokesman Zach Friend as the voice of the PD, we also know him as our crime analyst. As the spokesman, Zach is responsible for interfacing with the media, public, governmental and neighboring agencies on all issues pertaining to the department. As the crime analyst, Zach utilizes statistics to help model and efficiently allocate patrol resources. Additionally, he manages multi-million dollar grant and budget issues for the PD. We sat down to ask him a few questions so you could get to know him better!

Word on the street is that you play in a band, since you're a music person what are 5 artists on you iPod?

Zach Friend: I like to listen to my music on shuffle – I figure the more random the better. So the five last artists that were played on my iPod? In order of play…

Miles Davis, Snoop Dogg, Rocket from the Crypt, The Temptations, Mighty Clouds of Joy 

What is the best part about working for SCPD?

Zach Friend: Without question the best part about working for SCPD are the dedicated people that work here. Every day I come to work and see people committed to making our community a better place; it is a calling to many that work here and it's easy to come to a place where there is that dedication to public service.

On to TV and Film. Favorites?

Zach Friend: Well, my favorite TV shows are easy: West Wing and Magnum PI (I mean who WOULDN’T want to have that guy's life?). Movies? I am a classic movie fan – Casablanca being my favorite and anything by Woody Allen

Giants or A's? 49ers or Raiders? Why?

Zach Friend: I’m from San Diego so I must say I’m an avid Padres and Chargers fan. But not to worry, the Giants and Niners have championship trophies…we just have “next season.” I admit that each "next season" I believe will be "the season." But we DO have one thing in common… Beat LA! 

Back to the local info. Favorite restaurants, grocery stores?

Zach Friend: I try to shop local when possible - including hitting the farmer's markets. For grocery stores I can be found at Shopper's Corner, Deluxe Foods and New Leaf. Restaurants? Have you eaten at Lillian's? That place is outstanding. And Avanti? Love it. For Mexican food, Manuel's is the place.

Lastly, a little more about your background. Where did you go to school? What other jobs have you held?

Zach Friend: I did my undergraduate study here at UC Santa Cruz and received my Masters from Georgetown University. I also have a Certificate in Financial Planning from Columbia University. I've held a lot of different jobs, from delivering cars at Toyota and working at a radio station to working at the White House and in Congress. But I've been with the City of Santa Cruz for nearly 9 years and enjoy the hands-on nature of local government.

Help UCSC PD Identify This Person

Help UCSC PD identify a woman that stole some items from a student on campus. They are trying to identify the woman wearing the hat.  If you know the person please contact UCSC PD at:  Tip line 831-459-3TIP(3847) or contact Detective Robinson at lrobinsn@ucsc.edu.