Martinez, CA – The County of Contra Costa has been awarded a $328,181.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to the Probation Department, ensuring that high-risk, repeat DUI offenders with suspended or revoked licenses are complying with all court orders.
Chief Probation Officer, Todd Billeci said: “The Contra Costa County Probation Department is grateful for this continued partnership with the Office of Traffic and Safety, spanning over 11 years. The oversight and assistance of OTS, coupled with strong working relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies, allows the Probation Department to closely monitor and rehabilitate offenders, thus protecting the public and reducing the traumatic impact impaired driving causes across our community.”
The grant will fund Probation Department personnel to monitor drivers on Probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions, including conducting unannounced fourth amendment waiver home searches, random alcohol and drug testing, and making sure those on probation are attending court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs.
The grant also funds probation sting operations:
- Probation Sweeps: Probation officers go out in search of DUI offenders with outstanding arrest warrants for failing to show up to a court hearing or violating the terms of their probation.
- Court Stings: Probation officers stop offenders who drive away from court after being told not to drive and/or had their license suspended or revoked.
This grant is aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in Contra Costa County by preventing DUI offenders with suspended or revoked licenses from getting behind the wheel and violating the terms of their probation. In 2015, 19 were killed and 510 injured in such crashes in Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County Probation Department to keep a close eye on DUI offenders reduces their chance of re-offending, making roadways safer for everyone.”
While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, Contra Costa County Probation supports efforts from OTS that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
1 comment
Aren’t they supposed to smoke that crap IN THEIR HOUSE, not their cars? We sure need another mind-altering drug for “recreation,” don’t we? Like booze was not enough! Now, we will have marijuana-afflicted ZOMBIES driving around.
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