Council approves city support for Jackaloupe after mixed public testimony over safety and oversight

The San Buenaventura City Council approved a consent‑calendar item authorizing city event support for the Jackaloupe Block Party in 2027 and 2028, a move staff said will help secure sponsorship and boost downtown visitation.

Visit Ventura and city economic staff described the event as exceeding expectations. Meredith Hart, the city’s economic development manager, said city and hotel data attributed roughly 470 room nights to the May 2026 Jackaloupe weekend and estimated “about $441,000 in direct visitor spending” from those overnight stays, and Placer AI counts showed roughly 50,500 people in downtown during the event—about 15,500 over a baseline non‑event weekend. Marlus Auster, president and CEO of Visit Ventura, noted social engagement and sponsor interest that could expand future footprints.

The council approved the consent calendar after discussion, but the item drew a lengthy public record with sharply divergent accounts. Carlos Landeros Angel, a volunteer at the 2026 event, urged council to pull the item and require an incident review, a ramp and perimeter safety review, a written credential and access‑control policy, de‑escalation and staff conduct policies, a police‑security coordination review, and a public‑safety plan addressing minors and volunteer management. Landeros said event staff gave inaccurate information to police during a credential dispute, that a family member’s wristband was cut off against her will, that a private individual assaulted him while police and security were nearby, and that unsecured access points and poor signage around a 20‑foot ramp produced safety incidents involving children.

Other public speakers expressed opposing views. Some downtown business representatives said restaurants and hospitality saw notable gains during the event; others warned the city should not commit public support without a full accounting of economic and safety outcomes.

City staff said after‑action meetings with Jackaloupe, Visit Ventura, police and fire are already underway. The city manager reported internal and external debriefs and said staff will continue working with the promoter and first responders to strengthen public‑safety practices. Council members who opposed the measure said they wanted clearer post‑event reporting and stronger contractual safety requirements; the transcript records at least two recorded no votes on consent agenda items while the overall consent vote carried.

Next steps: staff will continue after‑action reviews with Jackaloupe and report back with recommended safety conditions, credential controls, and any contract language for future city support.