The Santa Cruz Police Department is stepping up enforcement this Halloween, designating a safety enhancement zone for the entire city.
The safety enhancement zone begins on Friday at 8 a.m. and runs through next Monday, Nov. 3, at 8 a.m. The move authorizes the tripling of fees for violations of the city’s municipal code, such as littering, blocking pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and public drinking.
Downtown will see road closures on much of Pacific Avenue and no-parking zones starting at noon on Halloween and lasting until early Saturday morning. More than 100 officers from Santa Cruz and nearby agencies will be on duty to monitor the crowds that typically flood downtown on Halloween night.
The city will also roll out additional lighting and portable restrooms in high-traffic areas. Officials say the enhanced enforcement and infrastructure aim to keep the festivities fun while minimizing the mayhem that can accompany one of Santa Cruz’s busiest nights of the year.
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