Tools

Probation Department Reports Success With SOBERLINK

Story Published: Jan 28, 2013 at 3:05 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 28, 2013 at 7:21 PM EDT

The SOBERLINK 2 is a mobile breathalyzer that tests a user's blood alcohol content, takes their picture and records their location.

But what really makes the device stand out  is what happens after.

"Just wait 60 seconds and it'll send a report to the monitoring center and let us know the results of the test," said Jefferson County Probation Department Senior Probation Officer Todd Murrock.

The device does it all and in real-time.

It's so accurate it's giving judges the confidence to let more people stay out of jail - at least those charged with alcohol-related crimes.

It saves taxpayer dollars and gives people a chance to stay at their home and keep their jobs while on probation or awaiting trial.

"It's been very effective in getting folks out on pretrial release that are incarcerated and unable to make bail," said Darcy Pitkin, county probation officer.

The Probation Department says the device saves the county nearly $100 for each day a person is monitored with it - instead of being held in jail.

The department is currently using 6 of the SL2 devices.

But if things continue to go well, the county will be getting more.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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