Crime

One Arrest in Probation Department DUI Operation

Published

5 years ago

May 10, 2019

Countywide Enforcement Took Place Prior to Cinco de Mayo

The Marin County Probation Department conducted a multiagency operation on May 3 targeting 26 offenders on supervised probation for alcohol-related offenses. One arrest was made in Novato for a violation of probation and three other residents were found with alcohol in their residence.

The operation, led by the department’s Special Programs Unit, was conducted in the afternoon and evening with the assistance of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation K-9 Officers.

Two teams split up across the county to conduct extensive searches of residences and vehicles belonging to DUI offenders. The operation was conducted to ensure community safety with the approaching weekend and Cinco de Mayo holiday.

A Novato woman on supervised probation for DUI charges was arrested. Upon contact with the resident, officers suspected that she had just been driving as she was contacted while unloading groceries from her vehicle. She claimed she had just been dropped off by a friend, but attempts to locate the friend were unsuccessful.

During a search of the woman’s vehicle, she was found in possession of two large bottles of tequila and a pre-mixed margarita bottle. She was booked into Marin County Jail.

Three other residents on active supervised probation were found with alcohol within their home, and petitions will be filed for the court to determine the proper sanction for those violations of probation.

“This was a preplanned event and these unannounced probation searches on DUI offenders will occur on a regular basis,” said Deputy Probation Officer Tony Raitano. “In light of the tragedy that occurred in Sleepy Hollow recently in which a pedestrian was killed by a suspected DUI driver, all people should be diligent in speaking out against driving while intoxicated.”

The Probation Department is committed to focusing resources on both community safety and the rehabilitation of those who enter the criminal justice system. Addiction issues are prevalent in Marin and are often at the root of people running afoul of the law. The county has one of the highest rates of excessive drinking and binge drinking among all California counties, according to the most recent county health rankings. Early intervention by family and friends is encouraged when needed. The County offers resources on the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services website.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

California Black Media

Anti-Theft Bill with Jail-Time Requirement Gets Wide Ranging Support

Fed up with the alarming frequency of retail theft across California, including smash and grabs, a diverse group of business leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers and public safety advocates joined their efforts in Sacramento on Jan. 24. Their purpose: to increase public support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1772, a bill that would make jail time mandatory for repeat theft offenders.

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

San Bernardino Police Chief Darren Goodman speaks as Asm. James Ramos (D-San Bernardino), left, stands beside him at a news conference in Sacramento concerning retail theft across the state.

By California Black Media

Fed up with the alarming frequency of retail theft across California, including smash and grabs, a diverse group of business leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers and public safety advocates joined their efforts in Sacramento on Jan. 24.

Their purpose: to increase public support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1772, a bill that would make jail time mandatory for repeat theft offenders.

Co-authored by Assemblymembers James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) and Devon Mathis (R-Tulare), AB 1772 would require jail time “of one to three years for theft crimes depending upon the circumstances.

“Offenses would include grand theft, theft from an elder or dependent adult, theft or unauthorized use of a vehicle, burglary, carjacking, robbery, receiving stolen property, shoplifting or mail theft,” the bill language reads.

Ramos said the need to act is urgent.

“It’s time for us to reverse the spikes in theft crimes since the pandemic. Our law enforcement members and district attorneys need additional tools such as AB 1772. We must reverse the trend before the problem grows worse. Last year I requested a state audit of the impact of Prop 47 on Riverside and San Bernardino counties,” said Ramos.

Prop 47 is the California initiative, approved by voters in 2014, that reclassified some felonies to misdemeanors and raised the minimum amount for most misdemeanor thefts from $400 to $950.

According to a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report, the rate of occurrence of petty crimes like shoplifting and commercial burglaries have increased by double digits over the last four years.

In Orange County alone, commercial burglaries have spiked by 54%.

“Our communities are experiencing an increase in retail crime and deserve appropriate action from their legislators,” Valencia said.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus thanked Ramos.

“This bill, designed to impose stricter penalties on serial retail theft suspects, responds urgently to the escalating consequences of shoplifting and related crimes on our communities,” he said.

AB 1772 supporters who spoke at the gathering included Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper and San Bernardino Chief of Police Darren Goodman. Listed as supporters are the California State Sheriff’s Association, City of Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez and Redlands Chamber of Commerce.