The San Luis Obispo Police Department (SLOPD) is enacting their annual Safety Enhancement Zone (SEZ) tonight, doubling party-related fines for the next two weekends.
The first period extends from Thursday, Oct. 24 at midnight to Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 a.m., with next weekend following the same restrictions, according to San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 9.22.040.
For students, this means several violations will result in hefty fines, ranging from $700 to $1,000. Fines for noise, possession of open containers, unruly gatherings and urination in public are doubled, according to the city’s website.
As of January 2024, the city of San Luis Obispo extended the Halloween double-fine period to two weekends instead of one.
The SEZ helps preserve the public health, safety and welfare of the city, said Christine Wallace, SLOPD public affairs manager.
“The increased financial penalties during a SEZ have shown to influence how community members make choices, which in turn provide for improved safety for everyone,” Wallace said. “We want folks to enjoy themselves but not to the detriment of themselves or others.”
SLOPD will be at maximum deployment for both weekends, according to Wallace.
“Residents should expect to see many police personnel in the neighborhoods and downtown both weekends,” Wallace said.
Double fine periods are also enacted annually during Mustang Move-In and St. Patrick’s Day in an effort to deter disruptive gatherings across the city.