Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta Crime Stats – 2024

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has released the 2024 crime statistics for the communities it serves. Throughout the year, the Sheriff’s Office compiles information about crimes occurring within the areas served by our agency: the County’s unincorporated areas and the Contract Cities of Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang and Buellton. For the purposes of tracking, reports are broken down into two major categories: Part 1 crimes, which are the most serious in nature, and Part 2 crimes, which include a number of lesser criminal offenses and some juvenile status offenses. Offense definitions can be found here.

In Goleta, crime statistics from 2023 to 2024 indicate an increase in overall crime. Reported Part 1 crimes increased from 533 incidents in 2023 to 602 in 2024, a 13% increase.

Violent crimes saw an increase, rising from 56 incidents in 2023 to 64 in 2024, a 14% increase. This includes a slight increase in aggravated assaults, which went from 37 incidents in 2023 to 44 in 2024, and in robberies, which increased from 12 to 15.

Property crimes also showed a slight increase, with totals rising from 477 incidents in 2023 to 538 in 2024, an increase of 13%. This category includes a decrease in motor vehicle thefts from 46 incidents in 2023 to 31 in 2024.

Read the full press release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office here.

One Hundred Happy Tails Adoption Event

Fees waived 100% through partnership with Bissell Pet Foundation

Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) is thrilled to announce its participation in the national Empty the Shelters campaign, sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation, with a local twist: One Hundred Happy Tails.

SBCAS will be waiving 100% of adoption fees through May 15, 2025, at all three shelter locations—Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc—with a goal of finding 100 pets loving new homes. Thanks to the generous support of BISSELL Pet Foundation, adoption fees for cats, rabbits, and dogs will be fully covered.

“There’s no better time to open your heart and home to a new best friend,” said Sarah Aguilar, Animal Services Director. “Through the Empty the Shelters campaign and the generosity of BISSELL Pet Foundation, we’re making it easier than ever for families to adopt. Every adoption during this event helps us save more lives and create one hundred new happy stories.”

All pets adopted during the promotion will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. While adoption fees are covered, a license fee may be applicable and donations to support shelter animals are strongly encouraged to help SBCAS continue providing lifesaving care to thousands of pets each year.

Interested adopters can visit any of SBCAS’s three locations during open hours or view available pets online at www.sbcanimalservices.org.

Help us celebrate One Hundred Happy Tails and be part of something truly transformational this spring!

Mental Health Awareness Month

Lighting Up Green, Practicing Self-Care, and Building Connection for Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness invites all community members to Turn Awareness into Action. Throughout May, residents, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to take intentional steps toward supporting mental health — through self-care, connection with others, and by joining the county-wide effort to Light Up Green.

Lighting buildings green — the official color for mental health awareness — serves as a powerful, visible reminder that no one is alone in facing mental health challenges. This simple act, paired with everyday steps like pausing for self-care and reaching out to others, helps build a stronger, more connected Santa Barbara County.

Ways to Take-Action This May

Light Up Green:  From May 1–31, dozens of buildings across Santa Barbara County will shine green to show support. We invite you to visit, take photos, and share the message of hope! A full list of locations is available here.

Send Your Photos: Capture and share photos of green-lit buildings! Tag #LightUpGreenSBC on social media and/or email photos to Suzanne Grimmesey at suzkirk@sbcbwell.org to be featured on the County’s social media and community highlights.

Practice Self-Care Daily:

  • Start each day with a self-check: How am I really feeling?
  • Take breaks from screens and step outside.
  • Practice deep breathing — just 60 seconds can lower stress.
  • End your day by reflecting on one thing you are grateful for.

Strengthen Connections:

Meaningful relationships protect mental health.

  • Reach out to someone today — even a few minutes of true connection can make a difference.
  • Watch Simon Sinek’s powerful short reflection on Ted Talk – on noticing when someone needs support. Watch here.

Join the Board of Supervisors Proclamation: Attend the May 6, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting to formally recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Explore Mental Health Month Activities: Discover free events and activities taking place across the county. View the full calendar here.

See the full list of local buildings lighting up here. Visit these locations throughout May and share your photos using #LightUpGreenSBC. See the National Mental Health America Press Release listing all buildings, here.

Remember: You Are Not Alone.  If you or someone you know needs support, help is available 24/7.  Call the Behavioral Wellness Crisis Response and Services Access Line at (888) 868-1649.

Looking for more ways to take-action? Check out the Mental Health America 2025 Planning Guide for more ideas for individuals, schools, and organizations.

MTD’s “The Wave” Rolls in to Goleta and Isla Vista

Santa Barbara MTD’s new on-demand microtransit service known as The Wave is now open for business in an area of Goleta and Isla Vista. Microtransit is a flexible, on-demand, curb-to-curb service providing trips between any two points in a specified zone for a flat fare with an accessible van.

Riders order a ride on the TransLoc app, or by calling MTD’s Customer Service Center at 805-963-3366. Much like a rideshare app, the rider will make a ride reservation by selecting their pick-up and drop-off locations within the service zone.

The zone includes an area bounded by Patterson to the east, Cathedral Oaks to the north, Los Carneros to the west, and 101 to the South. The housing and business park areas on either side of Los Carneros south of the freeway are also included. Additionally, specific points at the following locations are available for drop-off or pickup: Goleta Amtrak Station, Santa Barbara Airport, UCSB Bus Loop, Elings Hall stop, Isla Vista Community Center, and the El Colegio & Embarcadero del Mar outbound bus stop. The map of the zone can be found here and below.

The Wave is currently operating Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and rides can be booked in the moment or up to a week in advance. For the month of May, rides are complimentary. The regular one-way fare will be $3, and seniors over 65 and people with disabilities will pay $1.50. Riders can transfer for free to any MTD fixed route bus within an hour and will be provided a transfer by the driver upon request. Payment will be accepted via cash or contactless payment.

Full details and frequently asked questions about The Wave can be found at https://sbmtd.gov/thewave.

Real ID Enforcement Begins May 7

If you are planning to travel by plane in the near future, make sure you have your REAL ID. Beginning May 7, all airline passengers 18 years and older must present a REAL ID at TSA security checkpoints. Other forms of ID, such as a passport, may be acceptable but the process to get through security will take longer.

According to the Santa Barbara Airport, passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (e.g., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.

How do you know if your California driver’s license is a REAL ID? Check for the bear and star icon in the top right corner (photo below).

For information on obtaining a REAL ID from the DMV go to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/.

City Assist Service Request Categories Streamlined

Watch Brief Demo 

It’s now easier to report a problem or concern online via City Assist. To simplify the process, the City has streamlined and reduced the number of Service Request categories from 37 to 11.  At the April 15th Goleta City Council meeting, City Manager Robert Nisbet gave a brief demonstration of how to use City Assist on the City’s website at CityofGoleta.org.

View the demonstration here: https://youtu.be/MBAHqBUjdDU.

Here is the new condensed list of Service Request Categories:

  • Abandoned Vehicles/Illegal Parking
  • Broken/Fallen Tree Limb/Tree
  • Broken Sidewalks/Potholes
  • Building/Zoning Code Violations: Overgrown Foliage/Public Nuisance/Sub-Standard Property Conditions
  • City Owned Facilities (City Staff Only)
  • Homeless Encampment/Illegal Camping
  • Parks & Open Space
  • Public Records Request
  • Traffic Sign/Signal Issue or Striping/Painted Curb(s)
  • Trash Pickup/Illegal Dumping/Lost Shopping Cart/Graffiti Complaint
  • Ask a Question/Other Request Type Not Shown Above

City Assist is the most efficient way to report a problem or concern to the City. Not only does it provide a method to identify the most common problems and concerns in the community, it also ensures the reporting party receives a timely response and can track the status of the request.

How It Works

Submit a Report: Access the City Assist system online and provide details about the issue, including its location and any other relevant information.​

Routing: Your submission is automatically directed to the appropriate City Department or staff member responsible for addressing the concern.​

Review and Action: City staff review submissions during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and take necessary actions to resolve the reported issues.​

Tracking: The Neighborhood Services Department oversees the process, monitoring the status of reports to ensure timely resolution.​

Access City Assist here: www.CityofGoleta.org/CityAssist.

Goleta Comes Together to Celebrate Earth Day

Thanks to Tidy Seas for Leading the Charge as Team Captains

Over 90 volunteers collected 317 pounds of trash from Evergreen Park and the surrounding neighborhoods on April 19th during Goleta’s Beautify Goleta Earth Day event. Additionally, more than 8,000 pounds of bulky items were dropped off by 115 vehicles at Brandon Elementary School.

City of Goleta’s Environmental Services Project Manager Dan Rowell said, “Sunshine, community spirit and a whole lot of horn honking made for a memorable event. The occasion was powered by a coalition of committed residents, volunteers, and organizations, all working together. The turnout and comradery is proof of just how serious Goletans are about keeping their city clean and beautiful.”

Thanks to Elubia’s Kitchen for fueling the volunteers with delicious food and coffee. Another highlight was MarBorg Industries Touch-a-Truck activity. Both kids and adults alike were thrilled to climb aboard, honk the horn, and see the truck’s automated arm in action—an awesome peek into what goes into keeping Goleta clean.

The event also featured educational tables from the City of Goleta, local eco-business Mission Refill helping kids make zero waste bird feeders, and nonprofit superhero Tidy Seas as the event’s team captain.

Tidy Seas volunteers have removed tons of trash from our coasts, including abandoned lobster traps and ocean debris, earning admiration from across the community. Be part of a movement by signing up to be part of this group at https://www.tidyseas.org/.

A huge shoutout to the Beautify Goleta team for bringing everyone together for this impactful Earth Day celebration. And remember—every day, not just Earth Day, is a chance to make a difference. Here are five easy ways to be more sustainable in Goleta:

  1. Bring your own bags, bottles, and containers when shopping or dining out.
  2. Support local farmers’ markets and reduce your food miles.
  3. Bike or walk when you can—Goleta’s beautiful for a reason!
  4. Join a local cleanup event (like Tidy Seas or Beautify Goleta—hint hint).
  5. Be water-wise—shorter showers, native plants, and fixing those drips!

Want to keep the momentum going? Follow @TidySeas and @CityofGoleta on social media to get involved.

Mark your calendars for the next big event: Beautify Goleta’s Plastic Free July Cleanup on Saturday, July 19th, 2025. Let’s keep Goleta gorgeous, one clean-up at a time. Learn more about Beautify Goleta www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta.

Pictured above: City staff at the Earth Day celebration


Volunteers (photo courtesy of Tidy Seas)


MarBorg Touch-A-Truck


Young volunteers weighing the trash they collected


Bulky item drop off at Brandon School

 

Coffee, Community and Chilaquiles on May 3rd

Get to Know our Newest Councilmember Jennifer Smith

We are hoping to knock it out of the park with our upcoming Coffee & Community taking place on Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Home Plate Grill located behind the 7-Eleven at 7398 Calle Real. It’s a great opportunity to get to know our newest City Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3). Bring your friends and family and come enjoy a hot cup of coffee with your west Goleta neighbors and get in the Cinco De Mayo spirit by ordering up the restaurant’s famous Chilaquiles dish (available for purchase).

Make sure to bring any questions or concerns you have about your neighborhood. We look forward to a great morning of conversation and connection with you. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

The gathering is also a great opportunity to support a local restaurant.  Home Plate Grill has been in business at this location for almost ten years! Depending on the weather, the gathering will be centered on the outdoor patio with indoor seating available as well. There will be a coloring table set-up to keep the kids occupied.

We hope to see you for Coffee & Community and potentially Chilaquiles on May 3!

The City holds a Coffee & Community event in each of its four Districts throughout the year. To find out what district you are in, plug in your address into our interactive Know Your District Map: https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap.


Councilmember Jennifer Smith at Home Plate Grill

Celebrate Sustainably

As a coastal city, Goleta has a unique responsibility to protect the ocean and local environment by reducing single-use plastic consumption and litter. With upcoming celebrations and graduations around the corner, we encourage the community to celebrate sustainably and opt for decorations that are more environmentally friendly. As you plan for parties and holidays, the City of Goleta urges you to avoid single-use plastic products, ©Styrofoam, and helium-filled balloons in an effort to support the health of our community and environment. 

Under the City of Goleta’s Single-Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance, passed unanimously by City Council in 2022, the sale and distribution of rigid polystyrene products (i.e. solo cups), foam polystyrene (©Styrofoam), and ©Mylar or foil balloons are prohibited. While all balloons are not banned, releasing any balloons into the air is considered littering and is prohibited anywhere in the City. 

These specifically regulated products can linger in surrounding ecosystems for decades to come and are extremely harmful to marine and aquatic life. Birds, turtles, and other animals often mistake balloons and plastics for food, and when ingested, this plastic debris can block the digestive tract of the animal, often resulting in death by starvation. Wildlife can also get entangled in balloon ribbons. The good news is that there are plenty of low-waste, festive ways to celebrate and decorate. Here are a few alternatives and swaps that you can make: 

  • Replace balloons with bubbles, paper bunting, paper streamers, or locally sourced flowers to liven up your party. Paper decorations can be reused and recycled, making them a colorful and conscious choice. 
  • Borrow, rent, or thrift unique decorations like vases, candles, and tableware. This allows you to cut down on waste and invest in a reusable item that you can decorate with for multiple years. 
  • Serve meals family-style using normal plates and silverware to minimize single-use items and food waste. The sale and distribution of plastic utensils is also prohibited within the City. 

By embracing these sustainable celebration tips, we can preserve the natural beauty and health of our community while still enjoying festivities. 

For more information about single-use plastic reduction efforts in the City of Goleta and tips on avoiding plastic consumption visit www.cityofgoleta.org/PlasticFreeGoleta. #GoGreenGoleta

Goleta State of the City Wrap-Up

Watch Highlight Reel and View Photo Gallery

The State of Goleta is strong according to Mayor Paula Perotte. The Mayor gave her 2025 State of the City Address on April 8, 2025, at a bustling Goleta Community Center. The impressive turnout of attendees included community leaders, stakeholders, residents and City staff. It was not only an informative event but a great opportunity for Goleta enthusiasts to connect with each other and the City. The event included live music, city information tables, mingling, refreshments, presentations from the Mayor and City Manager and questions from the public. Don’t worry if you missed it, you can watch a highlight reel here and the full video here.

In her State of the City Address, Mayor Paula Perotte looked at the City’s progress over the course of five years. She concluded her remarks by saying, “From this look back on the last five years, I hope that you’ll agree that the State of our City is STRONG. While many, many challenges remain, the progress we’ve made in key areas gives us the confidence to see our trajectory points dramatically upward. With your continued support and involvement, Goleta will soar ever higher!”

The Mayor’s speech was followed by a presentation from City Manager Robert Nisbet who gave an update on the City’s finances including a look at the City’s top five current Capital Improvement Projects and funding for each.  Mirroring the Mayor’s five-year reflection, he also showed the increase in City staff over the years and stressed the importance of hiring, promoting and retaining talented employees to keep the City moving forward.

During the final segment of the program, City staff answered questions submitted from the audience on various topics ranging from parking, pavement, public safety, future construction and more.

Some other highlights of the night included a performance from 2025 Teen Star finalist Tyler McCutchen and keyboardist Andrew Manos who played live music throughout the night. The Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Band performed in the gazebo as guests arrived.

Another memorable moment was watching the Another Great Year in the Good Land video. Watch the video here.

To see photos from the event go to https://photos.app.goo.gl/inQsbSRvYFn5sG249.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of making the 2025 Goleta State of the City a standout event and potentially the most memorable one yet.

Pictured at top: Mayor Paula Perotte giving her 2025 State of the City Address


City Manager Robert Nisbet giving an update on the City’s finances


Q&A Segment


Group Photo (left-to-right): Goleta Chief of Police Lt. Frank Vasquez, 1st District County Supervisor Roy Lee, City Manager Robert Nisbet, Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3), Chair of the Board and 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps and Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Salcido


Audience at the 2025 Community State of the City


Attendees visiting city information tables


Tyler McCutchen performing


Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Band performing in the gazebo at the Goleta Community Center