By now, everyone has seen the movie Project X, or at least knows what it’s about. I’m sure most of us, including myself, has dreamed of going to or throwing a party as outrageous and fun as the one from the movie. On Saturday night, a beach community in California came pretty close.
At least 15,000 people attended the gathering at Isla Vista streets for the annual “Deltopia” spring break party. Many of the attendees were students at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The event was posted on Facebook, one of the many resources teenagers use to invite people to and find parties.
According to the Santa Barbara Independent, the party originated from “Floatopia” in 2009. The annual event would be held on the beach, where people would drink all day in night on the sand and in the water.
Police decided to shut down the beach after partygoers left a huge amount of trash and other harmful items all over the beach and in the ocean.” Deltopia” later stemmed from the anger of their annual party’s shutdown.
At least six police officers were injured, and about 100 people were arrested. 18 of them were cuffed for connection with the disturbances. Public property was destroyed, as people ripped down stop signs and set a number of small fires.
According to CNN, one officer was hit in the head with a backpack that contained multiple bottles of alcohol. Another was smashed in the face with a brick, and two were hit in the hands with bottles. In order to break up the havoc, police released “chemical agents” as well as other “less lethal foam projectiles.”
The Santa Barbara Independent reported that an 18-year-old Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student’s body was found on Campus Point beach Saturday morning. Her autopsy showed injuries that were consistent with a fall. Another four people were admitted to the hospital after the balcony they were standing on collapsed underneath them.
After all the damage and injuries caused, many are probably questioning whether “Deltopia” will happen again. However, an event has already been posted to Facebook for “Deltopia” 2015.
Although a party as big as this might sound tempting to go to, it’s probably a smart idea to avoid it. Cops will always catch large drinking events like “Deltopia,” so if you’re under aged, you will especially want to avoid being caught and receiving a citation. It also injured many people and even killed one student. No matter what you choose, remember to be smart, and be safe. A Project X party is not risking worth your life.