Probation department to ‘intensify’ supervision of repeat DUI offenders in Fresno
Residents are often vexed by a fatal crash or serious collision involving a drunken driver after it’s revealed the suspect had already been convicted of multiple DUIs.
Tracking those drivers as they are on probation can be difficult, according to parole officers, and some may not keep up on their required appearances in court.
To that end, the Fresno County Probation Department announced it was awarded a $360,000 grant to intensify supervision of those drivers considered the highest risk of becoming a repeat offender, according to the department.
“This grant funding will allow us to address the complex issues surrounding individuals who have multiple DUI convictions by providing vital resources and guidance to break the cycle of alcohol-related offenses,” the department’s Deputy Chief Joy Thompson said in a news release.
Fresno County is no stranger to impaired driving.
Alcohol played a part in 29% of the driving deaths in Fresno County from 2019 to 2023, according to statistics from the Fresno County Department of Public Health. That’s higher than the state and national average, which each hover around 26%.
The grant funds will help ensure those on probation follow court-ordered terms, which includes making required court appearances as well as alcohol and drug testing, the release said.
The money will also go to training officers on sobriety tests, alerts for officers in the field, and collaborating with courts and prosecutors on probation orders.
The grant program runs through September.
