Probation reports STOP‑DWI relaunch: 431 letters sent and about $5,000 recovered; car‑seat distribution and college outreach planned

Probation staff provided a year‑in‑review of STOP‑DWI and traffic‑safety work since the department took over the program. The coordinator reported that Stop‑DWI participated in 12 high‑visibility enforcement campaigns timed to heavy drinking holidays, partnered with the DMV for underage‑drinking stings, ran mock‑crash exercises with law enforcement and emergency services, and launched outreach to college campuses.

“ We sent about 431 letters, and we received around $5,000 in 3 months,” the coordinator said when summarizing an operation to contact people with unpaid DWI fines. The office also reported ordering 30 new 3‑in‑1 car seats to improve child passenger safety and restarted a traffic safety board that had been inactive for several years.

The board approved acceptance of state Traffic Safety Program and child passenger safety grants for the 2026–27 year and approved the annual domestic violence awareness proclamation, with Renewal House named as the lead agency for October events.

Why it matters: The STOP‑DWI relaunch includes enforcement funding, prevention partnerships, and direct services (car seats and education) that aim to reduce impaired driving and improve child passenger safety.