Santa Barbara Independent-
The Santa Barbara Police Department saw a massive increase in crime over the Fourth of July weekend, with 11 serious and violent felonies and a 45 percent increase in calls for service last weekend compared to the five-year average for the Fourth of July.
SBPD responded to 475 calls for service July 4-5, 158 of which were fireworks related — a significant jump from the five-year average of 40 fireworks calls during the holiday. Of the violent and serious felony calls, four involved an assault with a deadly weapon. Additionally, police responded to an alleged hit and run with injuries in the downtown area as well as three grand theft investigations.
