Probation DUI Enforcement Team Makes a Difference

The San Diego County Probation Department was awarded $575,000 in state grant funding to support a DUI Enforcement Team, which has resulted in a reduction of repeat drunk driving offenders.

“Many people will be on the roads to visit family and celebrate the holidays over the next few weeks, and this program helps keep our roads safer by closely supervising high-risk DUI offenders to make sure they don’t drive while impaired,” said Mack Jenkins, Chief Probation Officer.

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

The County Probation DUI Enforcement Team supervises about 700 felony DUI offenders on probation who have serious offenses such as multiple DUIs or a DUI where someone has been injured or killed. 

Since the program began in July 2006, the nine-member team has been able to make significant strides in keeping felony DUI probationers compliant with the terms of their release. Overall, the annual recidivism rate for high risk DUI offenders on intensive supervision was just 1 percent in 2008-2009 and 3.6 percent in 2009-2010. Nationally, about one-third of all DUI arrests are repeat offenders.

The program involves intensive supervision of high-risk offenders through methods such as unannounced visits, random alcohol testing and frequent appointments with the probationers. Team members work with other agencies on special operations such as DUI checkpoints, warrant service, and saturation patrols in specific areas.

Since the program began, 340 probationers have been arrested, most of them for violating probation by drinking alcohol.

“These figures represent more people making it home safely and alive each day,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).  “But to keep this trend going, we will continue to strive to meet our vision  toward zero deaths, every one counts.”



Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors

If you participate in the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and have a high school senior at home, they are eligible to compete for one of four $2,000 college scholarships from the National Association of Counties and Nationwide.

Here's how your student can apply:

Complete application on line - Go to www.naco.org/retirementscholarship or www.nrsforu.com/scholarship  

Eligibility requirements:

• Graduating high school seniors who are legal U.S. residents are eligible to apply
• Applicant's parent or grandparent must be enrolled in and contribute to the County’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Applicants must enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study no later than the fall term of the 2011-2012 school year at an accredited two- or four-year college
• Immediate family members of NACo employees, or members of the NACo Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee, or its governing board of directors, or Nationwide employees are not eligible to apply; this program is not offered outside the United States
• Application and entry must be submitted on line no later than January 31, 2011

Judging criteria:

• Scholarship entries will be reviewed by a committee of associates from both Nationwide and NACo; scholarship recipients will be chosen based on the content of their entry
• All entries submitted will become property of Nationwide and may be used for educational and/or marketing purposes; the original author will be credited

How will scholarship recipients be notified?

• Scholarship recipients will be notified in March 2011
• Scholarship recipients will be mailed a check in mid-August 2011, payable to the institution and mailed to the student's home address
• The winner must enroll in an accredited institution by the fall term of the 2011-2012 school year

Holiday Light Exchange

County employees can bring in up to three incandescent holiday light strings and exchange them for 15 ft. multi-colored LED holiday lights (while supplies last).

All you need is a avalid California ID or a copy of your recent SDG&E bill to quailfy.

You can make your exchange at the County Parks and Recreation Office, 9150 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 200, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 7 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8 or 9.

For more information, contact Johanna Salomon at (858) 966-1337.

Ensuring Voting Integrity

The results of the 2010 Gubernatorial Election were certified by the Registrar of Voters office on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Did you ever wonder what happens to your ballot after you put it in the ballot box on election night? This video shows the journey your ballot makes from the time it leaves your hand until it's tabulated at the Registrar of Voters office.

Helping Those in Need Eat Healthy

The County's Health and Human Services Agency teamed up with several community partners to put on a community food distribution event for needy families in Escondido.

HHSA used the opportunity to help educate the public about healthy eating and provide convenient access to social services, including CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps).

By the end of the event, food and services had been provided to more than 1,500 individuals.

Time to Deck the Halls at Rancho Guajome

Step back in time and spread old fashioned holiday cheer at the 14th Annual Rancho Christmas at Rancho Guajome Adobe in Vista Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The adobe’s 28 rooms and two large courtyards have been transformed into a hacienda hideaway that replicates the holidays of the 1800s. More than one hundred wreaths, garlands and centerpieces made out of natural materials will adorn the restored historic adobe. 

Children will delight in a variety of hands-on crafts and activities, such as making cornhusk dolls, caramel apples and homemade candles. Kids can also hop aboard a tractor-drawn wagon or view demonstrations of blacksmithing and wool spinning. Park visitors can enjoy live music, dancing and beverages.

Saturday evening guests can enjoy an expanded celebration including hot cider and the warm glow of luminaries in the courtyard, while listening to the sweet sounds of Christmas caroling.               

Tickets for the Rancho Christmas festivities are $5 for adults; $3 for children 4 to 12. Children 3 years and under are free. Proceeds will be directed to the Hacienda Antiquities Fund for the parlor’s furnishings. 

Rancho Guajome Adobe is located at 2210 North Santa Fe in Vista. Parking is free.

For more information on the 14th Annual Rancho Christmas please call (760) 724-4082 or visit the Rancho Guajome Adobe web page.

HHSA Employees, Volunteers Wrap Foster Youth in Warmth

Bancroft Rock House Takes You Back in Time

The Bancroft Rock House in Spring Valley is named for Hubert Howe Bancroft, a writer, editor and publisher of history books. It was used as a school house for the Bancroft children, as well as a fire-safe storage building for part of Bancroft's extensive transcripts and book collection. The home is a great example of how people lived during San Diego County's pioneer days. 

County Airports Again Drop Off Spots for Toys for Tots

You can help the U.S. Marine Corps and San Diego County put smiles on the faces of less fortunate children this holiday season by donating new, unwrapped toys at County airports in Fallbrook, Ramona, Carlsbad, El Cajon and Borrego Springs during the Marines’ annual Toys for Tots campaign.

County residents can drop off their donated toys at each of the airports any time up until Dec. 4, with the exception of Fallbrook Airpark, which will continue collecting donations until Dec. 11.

Uniformed Marines plan to collect the toys in person at special events at Ramona Airport and Fallbrook Airpark.  The first collection will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday Dec. 4 at Ramona Airport.  The second will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11 at Fallbrook Airpark.  People who come to the events will be able to see Marine Corps vehicles, vintage World War II aircraft and other private aircraft, on the ground and in flight.  Toys collected at El Cajon’s Gillespie Field, Carlsbad’s Palomar-McClellan Airport and Borrego Valley Airport will be flown to Ramona Airport and collected at the Dec. 4 event.

“We’re honored to work with the Marine Corps and be a part of the Toys for Tots campaign," said Pam Slater-Price, Chairwoman of the County Board of Supervisors. "Toys for Tots is a Marine Corps tradition that goes as far back as I can remember. They spread holiday cheer to both the children and to everyone who donates.”

Last year, San Diego County resident’s donations at the airports filled six 7-ton trucks.

Foster Youth Give HHSA Employees a Healthy Option

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, several San Pasqual Academy foster youth made their bimonthly delivery of certified, organic produce to County employees. The accessibility of the door-to-door deliveries of fresh organic produce is to encourage HHSA employees to eat healthier for the holidays - part of County’s year-round plan to Build Better Health.

Employees who signed up to be part of the subscription program pay only $20 per box for fresh fruit or vegetables every two weeks. Boxes also include recipes.

Although the San Pasqual Academy Agriculture program was established in 2004, the organic produce program began a year ago when students came up with the label name, Dragon Organics. The program has grown roots and students began selling to local venders such as Whole Foods, Jimbos, Seaside Market, and Stone Brewing Company. They have also expanded to farmer’s markets throughout the county.