Although
El Dorado County is relatively small, at 181,737 people according to the latest
census number, we have a very large number of people that come to our county as
visitors and tourists. During summer, and quite drastically in the
winter, we have an influx of tourists to South Lake Tahoe for the ski resorts,
New Year’s Eve events, and multiple casinos just over the state line. Our
county also has seasonal visitors to the El Dorado County wine country, gold
country historic sites, and to the Apple Hill region. And, daily, we have
many out of county residents who come from out of the area to work, play, and
to go to the popular Red Hawk Casino.
Sadly,
El Dorado County ranks 5th worst in the state for lethal drunk driving
incidents involving drivers between the ages of 21 and 34. Even more
shocking, El Dorado County ranks 3rd worst in the state for drunk driving
incidents involving drivers under the age of 21.
District
Attorney Pierson recognized that we had a major problem with drunk driving in
El Dorado County. In 2012, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s
Office applied for and received funding from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)
to help pay for a vertically assigned Deputy District Attorney and District
Attorney Investigator. This OTS Grant allows the Deputy District Attorney
and District Attorney Investigator to be involved in a more integrated way with
the street level enforcement and investigation side of DUI investigations.
This ensures more efficient investigations and stronger cases for prosecution.
The
goal of this unit, and of the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, is
to hold DUI violators responsible for their actions with aggressive
investigations and prosecutions, while also protecting victims' rights and
keeping our community a safe place to live, work and visit. This specialized
unit is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of felony DUI cases,
including cases involving vehicular manslaughter and DUI homicides.
District
Attorney Vern Pierson stated, “Having the same prosecutors and investigators
working on these cases from the investigative stages through the court process
to jury trial is the best way to ensure the swift and thorough pursuit of
justice.”
Prevention
of drunk driving requires a two pronged call to action - effective law
enforcement investigation and prosecution and public involvement and awareness
of the problem. Remember, if you see something, say something.
Please watch the video on the above at http://tinyurl.com/jgsly6g and
visit our blog at http://vernpierson.us.