County Probation to monitor high-risk, repeat DUI offenders

November 15, 2019

SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Probation Department has begun using a one-year, $269,190 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to supervise high-risk, repeat DUI offenders with suspended or revoked licenses.

"The California Office of Traffic Safety has once again given us the opportunity to fund two probation officer positions who will provide concentrated supervision and monitoring of high risk DUI offenders in our community," said Christopher Hansen, Solano County Chief Probation Officer.  “Solano County Probation works collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to achieve the goal of protecting the public.  Delivering essential services coupled with strict monitoring will be the focus of these probation officers to reduce the risk of re-offense.”

The grant period is from Oct. 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. Grant funding will be used to make sure offenders are following the court ordered terms of their probation, including home, work and office visits, alcohol testing, and warrant service operations.

In addition, funding will also be used to develop “Hot Sheets” that identify repeat DUI offenders, work with court officials to establish probation orders for DUI offenders on probation, and provide Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) training to officers.

This grant is aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol-related collisions, as well as lower DUI recidivism rates.

“Supervision programs help make sure DUI offenders are held accountable for their actions and not putting others at risk,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Our coordinated effort with the Solano County Probation Department reduces the chances of probationers re-offending.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information on the Solano County Probation department visit www.SolanoCounty.com/Depts/Probation and by calling (707) 784-7600.