The Santa Barbara County Probation Department has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for an intensive probation supervision program for high-risk individuals with multiple DUI convictions.

The $200,612 grant program runs through September 2025.
 
“This grant allows us to focus specifically on individuals with multiple DUIs in our North County,” said Holly Benton, county Probation Department chief.

“The Intensive Supervision Program for High-Risk DUI Offenders is designed to closely monitor and support individuals, helping to reduce repeat offenses and create safer roads by reducing the incidences of impaired driving,”
Benton said.

Funding will go toward check-ins with probationers to ensure they follow court-ordered terms of their probation, the department said.

The grant will pay for warrant operations targeting probation violations and/or DUI suspects who do not appear in court; alcohol testing; officer training in Standard Field Sobriety Testing; distribution of DUI Be On the Lookout alerts; and collaborating with courts and prosecutors to establish probation orders.

“Intensive supervision programs are essential in reducing the harmful impact of DUI offenses,” said OTS director Barbara Rooney. “This is one important measure to help prevent the tragic consequences of impaired driving and create safer roads for everyone.”

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