County Probation department receives grant funding to monitor high-risk DUI offenders

November 15, 2016

SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Probation Department has received a $290,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to help make sure the worst-of-the-worst felony and misdemeanor DUI offenders are complying with all court orders.

Felony and repeat misdemeanor DUI offenders are significantly overrepresented in traffic crashes involving alcohol and other drugs, often with tragic results.  In 2013, 15 people were killed and 235 injured in crashes in Solano County because of DUI related accidents.

"The California Office of Traffic Safety has given us the opportunity to fund two Probation officers who will provide intensive supervision and monitoring of high risk DUI offenders in our community," said Christopher Hansen, Solano County Chief Probation Officer.  “These officers will supervise offender activities, enforce court orders, including participation in substance abuse treatment – all with the goal to protect the public and the offender by preventing re-arrest on new DUI charges.”

The grant funds will give Probation Department officials the ability to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions using a variety of tools, including:

- The development and maintenance of a “Hot Sheet” program to notify patrol and traffic officers to be on the lookout for identified repeat DUI offenders with a suspended or revoked driver's license as a result of DUI convictions

- Conducting unannounced home searches and random drug and alcohol testing

- Use of special monitoring equipment to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs

“Complying with probation orders is the first and most necessary step to keep these offenders from being a danger to themselves or others in the future,” said Rhonda Craft, OTS Director.  “OTS with be working together with the Solano County Probation Department to help keep the streets and highways safe across Fairfield and the state.”

Funding for the grant is from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.