The UC Santa Barbara campus has a long history of issuing high volumes of citations to UCSB students and visitors for violations of misdemeanors and infractions. Citations for misdemeanors and infractions include but are not limited to Minor in Possession (MIP), Public Intoxication, Fake ID, Noise Violations, and Public Urination.

In response, the UC Santa Barbara Police Department has implemented a restorative justice program that "aims to improve community relations and partnerships" and "offer a diversion option for those who are eligible." Those who receive a citation for any of the offenses stated above are available to take part in the program which would remove from police public record the citations for those who have received said citation as their first offense. Participants are required to complete 4 hours of community service in Isla Vista, which may include "picking up litter, working with Adopt-A-Block, graffiti abatement, or assisting Isla Vista & Park District Grounds Staff."

The program has been positively impactful for Isla Vista, as individuals are given a second chance with the opportunity to utilize community service and prevent these misdemeanors from showing up on permanent records, which could be detrimental to an individual's future employment prospects and civil duties.

With the impact of this program on the Isla Vista Community, we must pressure UC Regents to create this program as a non-police-run alternative program for all UC Campuses. UCSB is the only UC college campus to have a program that is dedicated to restorative justice for those who receive citations and has dramatically improved community service initiatives and alternatives to criminal action.

This year, UCSB reported that there were a record number of citations issued with restorative justice not in place during Deltopia, an annual festival held during the first week of Spring Quarter. This was the first year since Restorative Justice (RJ) was first enacted in which the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office did not implement it during this Deltopia, with a 35% increase in citations. Overpolicing is a major issue at the UCSB campus and the program has demonstrated major progress towards combatting the issue.

Overpolicing is not only an issue at UCSB, but at other UC Campuses, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego. Citations regarding these issues are also prevalent at other UC Campuses, and alternative programming should be enacted.

Join us in calling for non-police-affiliated restorative justice reform across the UC Campuses.