SBC Probation Awarded OTS Grant

The San Bernardino County Probation Department has been awarded a $356,154.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), ensuring that high-risk, felony, and repeat DUI offenders are complying with all court orders. “The Office of Traffic Safety, DUI program grant provides continued resources needed to specifically focus on the DUI offender population more likely to present a risk to public safety.” Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray Brown said. “This program allows San Bernardino County Probation Department to combine evidence based rehabilitative services to DUI offenders and hold them accountable.” The grant will allow Probation Department personnel to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions, including conducting unannounced home searches and random alcohol and drug testing, special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs. This grant puts special focus on high-risk repeat DUI offenders aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug-related collisions in the county. In 2015, there were 95 people killed and 1,612 injured in such crashes in San Bernardino County. “Intensive supervision of DUI offenders helps ensure that these offenders are not a risk to themselves or others,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “Our coordinated effort with the San Bernardino 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 cause of DUI crashes, San Bernardino County Probation supports the new effort from OTS that aims to increase awareness 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.