Kern County Probation receives grant for DUI enforcement
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded a grant for more than $150,000 to the Kern County Probation Department for an enforcement and public awareness program.
The DUI Offender Grant will allow the department and local law enforcement to focus on lowering deaths and injuries due to traffic collisions due to drivers being under the influence.
“The crime of driving under the influence (DUI) can have devastating results for members of our community. It is a serious concern for the Kern County Probation Department and local law enforcement agencies,” Chief Probation Officer TR Merickel said. “Without the resources this grant provides, it would be impossible to provide the level of supervision needed to help keep our community safe from these offenders.”
The grant from OTS will fund various education and enforcement activities for the 2019 federal fiscal year:
- Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders.
- Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders.
- Probation supervision of high-risk DUI offenders.
- Referrals for services to address the needs of DUI offenders.
- Alcohol monitoring and testing to identify intoxicated DUI offenders.
- Collaborating with the court and district attorney to ensure DUI offenders are held accountable.
- Standardized Field Sobriety Testing training to identify and apprehend impaired DUI offenders.
- Participate in “stings” to cite DUI offenders found driving on suspended or revoked licenses.
