Central Coast roundup

By Agencies
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The City of Santa Barbara is encouraging local residents to celebrate in a fun but above all safe environment this upcoming Independence Day to avoid any tragedies due to illegal fireworks.

“it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers that come with the fireworks. From injuries caused by those and the risk of wildfires to overindulgence and reckless driving, there are several factors that can put you and your family at risk over the Fourth of July holiday weekend,” said the City authorities in a press release.

Also the local officials want to remind the community about some important topics to keep in mind during the upcoming July Fourth weekend. 

“We are also proud of our sense of community and implore people to be courteous of their neighbors. While our nation celebrates the freedom that comes from the sacrifice of service members, Tuesday’s celebration of America’s birthday can cause stress for some veterans. The loud and unexpected noises, like the sounds from fireworks, are very common triggers for many combat veterans who are suffering from PTSD,” said the City.

They are reminding the community that personal fireworks are dangerous and illegal in the City, and even pyrotechnics labeled “safe and sane” are illegal. 

“If someone is caught with fireworks of any kind, the fine could be costly. The use of unauthorized fireworks can easily create a brush fire or result in serious injury. Misdemeanor citations could be issued to those possessing or using personal fireworks within the City,” said the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Also, they stated City Fire personnel want to reminds that according to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks started an estimated 12,264 fires in 2021. 

Hospital emergency rooms across the country treated approximately 11,500 people for firework-related injuries that same year. 

“Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for almost one-quarter of the estimated 2021 firework-related injuries,” the City Fire officials said.

Lastly, the authorities stated that the only legal fireworks are blasting off from the Waterfront during the official City Fourth of July Celebration, hosted by the Waterfront and Parks and Recreation Departments. 

This event will include a stage on the sands of West Beach with a full lineup of free live music and dance performances starting at noon, and the closures of State Street, from Gutierrez Street to Cabrillo Boulevard, and Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez, to allow crowds to take the celebration to the streets starting at 6 p.m. 

The day will conclude with a 20-minute fireworks display, launching from West Beach starting at approximately 9 p.m. 

FLAGS THEFT IN LOS OLIVOS

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of flags in the Los Olivos area and requesting the public’s assistance with any suspect information or video footage. 

On Thursday, June 22, at approximately 10:26 a.m., deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (SBCSO), responded to the 2800-block of Grand Avenue in Los Olivos for a report of the theft of a flag that had occurred in the preceding 18 hours. 

The officials learned that a pride flag had been stolen from a pole in front of the business after closing time the prior day. 

In the commission of the theft, the pole was also damaged. 

While they were investigating that initial report, they learned that a neighboring business also had a pride flag stolen and a third business, around the corner on the 2400-block of Alamo Pintado had a state of Hawaii flag stolen. 

“The thefts all seemed to occur after business hours on Wednesday, June 21, , and prior to opening on Thursday, June 22,” the SBCSO said in a press release.

After taking the initial reports, deputies attempted to collect physical evidence from the scenes and canvassed the area for additional victims as well as potential cameras that would have captured surveillance of the crimes to no avail. 

Deputies are reaching out to notify the public of these thefts and to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying any suspects or involved parties. 

“Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are viewed very seriously and given high priority”, said the SBCSO.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Solvang Sheriff’s Substation at 805-686-5000, to remain anonymous, call the tip line at, 805.681.4171 or online at, SBSheriff.org.

MILLIONS FOR HOMELESS HOUSING IN SB

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on June 14, that Santa Barbara County has been awarded a significant grant of $6 million to tackle the pressing issue of unsheltered homelessness in the region. 

“This grant aims to link individuals currently residing in encampments near dangerous state right of ways and heavily impacted waterways to crucial services and establish pathways to both interim and permanent housing,” said Lucille Boss, Encampment Response Coordinator

Santa Barbara County’s selected sites include the Santa Maria riverbed between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, where collaboration with Caltrans and San Luis Obispo County will address homelessness among a transient population between the City of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County and more rural areas in San Luis Obispo County. 

Additionally, the Santa Ynez riverbed in Lompoc and Solvang, which runs under a Caltrans right of way, presents an opportunity to address long-standing homelessness issues in this area. 

The grant also targets homeless encampments near creek systems leading to beaches in South Santa Barbara County, including Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria, and unincorporated areas, where hazardous environmental impacts have been documented.

Boss, expressed the urgency of addressing unsheltered homelessness.

«The impacts of this year’s storms demonstrated that unsheltered homelessness is always unsafe, unhealthy, and must be addressed with urgency. This grant, a collaborative effort with San Luis Obispo County, Caltrans, and cities throughout SB County will link people currently in encampments with a pathway to interim and permanent housing.»

The grant encompasses various crucial components, including funding for a specialized outreach team projected to serve approximately 250 individuals.  

This team will provide in-field case management to encourage people to accept available and planned interim housing and permanent housing.  

According to the County, the outreach will begin this summer, when interim housing projects and permanent housing projects near prioritized areas are already under development.  

“Outreach teams will meet acute needs in the field and link unsheltered persons to long-term supportive services to ensure their retention in housing placements,” the local authorities said.

This funding source does not include clean-up/removal nor environmental rehabilitation/restoration, if not is focused on housing and services to engage people and provide pathways from unsheltered homelessness to interim and permanent housing, the County said.