To: Board of Supervisors
From: Esa Ehmen-Krause, County Probation Officer
Report Title: State of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Contra Costa County Probation Officer, or designee, to apply for grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety, and authorize the County Probation Officer, or designee, to execute an agreement and accept funding in an amount not to exceed $509,000 for intensive probation supervisions for high-risk Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders with multiple DUI convictions from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% State revenue. No County match is required.
BACKGROUND:
The Probation Department has had a partnership with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for more than 15 years. The support and assistance provided by OTS, coupled with strong working relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies, has allowed the Probation Department to closely monitor and rehabilitate clients. Reducing the traumatic impact that impaired driving causes across the community contributes to improving public safety. The safety of communities is a top priority. Intensive supervision programs hold DUI offenders accountable.
This grant will fund Probation Department personnel for an intensive supervision program for high-risk DUI offenders with multiple DUI convictions. The intensive program involves check-ins with probationers to make sure they are following court ordered terms of their probation. This includes conducting unannounced fourth amendment waiver home searches, field visits, random alcohol and drug testing, and ensuring those on probation are attending court ordered DUI education and treatment programs. The grant also pays for warrant operations targeting probation violations and DUI suspects who do not appear in court, officer training in Standard Field Sobriety Testing, distribution of DUI “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alerts, collaboration with courts and prosecutors to establish probation orders, and participation with local law enforcement on anti-DUI efforts.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If unapproved, Probation would not be able to accept funding from the State to provide intensive supervision for high-risk DUI offenders.