San Joaquin County– Felony and repeat misdemeanor DUI offenders are over represented in traffic crashes involving alcohol and other drugs, often with tragic results. A $140,206 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to the San Joaquin County Probation Department will be making sure that these worst-of-the-worst offenders are complying with all court orders.
“This grant continues to allow the Probation Department to more effectively supervise high-risk DUI offenders in San Joaquin County,” stated Chief Probation Officer Stephanie L. James. “These efforts, funded through the Office of Traffic Safety, have greatly reduced the number of persons killed or injured as a result of DUI collisions in our County.”
The grant will fund officers to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions. Supervision for these high-risk offenders will include:
- Unannounced home searches
- Random alcohol and drug testing
- Special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs
The Intensive Probation Supervision for High-Risk Felony and Repeat DUI Offenders grant is aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol collisions in the county. In 2015, 28 were killed and 495 injured in such crashes in San Joaquin County.
“Intensive supervision of DUI offenders helps ensure that these offenders are not a risk to themselves or others,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “Our coordinated effort with the San Joaquin County Probation Department to keep a close eye on DUI offenders reduces their chance of re-offending, making roadways safer for everyone.”
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.