Petition to increase police presence on State Street to protect businesses, visitors, residents and children
Santa Barbara City Council, Santa Barbara Police Department
State Street is the heart of Santa Barbara. It is where families gather, tourists visit, and small businesses depend on safe, welcoming streets to survive.
Recently, business owners, employees, and residents have raised serious concerns about public safety along State Street—especially within the pedestrian-only promenade areas.
Key concerns include:
- Aggressive or disruptive behavior
- Theft and vandalism
- Harassment of customers and staff
- Drug-related activity
- Groups of minors riding high-speed electric bicycles recklessly through pedestrian areas
Of particular concern is the growing number of children and teenagers riding electric bicycles at unsafe speeds through crowded sections of State Street. These bikes often exceed safe speeds for pedestrian zones and create dangerous situations for elderly residents, young children, and visitors. Near-collisions are becoming increasingly common.
We are calling on the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Police Department to:
- Increase uniformed patrol presence along State Street
- Implement consistent foot patrols in pedestrian areas
- Enforce safety regulations related to electric bicycles
- Increase visibility during peak business and evening hours
- regulate unlicensed street vendors as 5th bullet
A visible police presence helps deter unsafe behavior, protect children, support small businesses, and ensure that State Street remains a safe and vibrant destinations for residents and visitors.
Creating a safe environment does not just serve the community, it serves the city as well. The more successful our businesses are on State Street, the more sales tax revenue will be collected. This could provide some relief as our city looks to raise sales tax even further, though it is already one of the highest in the nation.
We respectfully urge city leadership to prioritize public safety on State Street now.
Sign this petition to support safer streets for our community.
Petition by
To:
Santa Barbara City Council, Santa Barbara Police Department
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Members of the Santa Barbara City Council,
We are writing on behalf of numerous business owners, employees, residents, and visitors who have expressed growing concerns about public safety along State Street, particularly within the pedestrian promenade areas.
State Street is the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and an essential part of the city’s economy, culture, and tourism. Families, visitors, and local residents rely on this area being safe and welcoming. In recent months, however, many in our community have observed an increase in safety concerns including aggressive or disruptive behavior, theft, vandalism, harassment of customers and staff, and drug-related activity.
Another significant concern that has been repeatedly raised involves children and teenagers riding high-speed electric bicycles through the pedestrian sections of State Street. These bikes are frequently operated at unsafe speeds in crowded areas, creating dangerous situations for pedestrians, elderly residents, and young children. Near-collisions have become increasingly common, and many people feel unsafe walking in areas that were designed to be pedestrian-focused.
We respectfully request that the City implement increased uniformed police patrols along State Street and consistent foot patrols throughout the pedestrian promenade areas. Bicycle patrols could also help officers navigate the corridor more efficiently while maintaining a visible presence. In addition, stronger enforcement of existing safety regulations related to electric bicycles and pedestrian right-of-way would help address many of the concerns currently being raised by the community. Increased visibility of law enforcement during peak business hours and evening hours would further help deter unsafe behavior.
A visible and proactive police presence can help deter unsafe activity, support local businesses, and restore confidence that our downtown corridor remains safe and welcoming for everyone.
State Street is one of Santa Barbara’s most important public spaces, and maintaining its safety is essential for the continued vitality of our community. We respectfully urge the City Council and the Santa Barbara Police Department to prioritize increased patrol presence and safety enforcement in this area.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and for your continued service to our community.
Sincerely,
Concerned Residents, Business Owners, and Community Members
mancusoforsb.com