"Protecting the safety and well-being of all Californians is my top priority," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The threat of sex offenders in our communities is real, and local sheriffs' departments must be equipped to track parole violators and prevent future assaults. The grants awarded today will provide local communities with the funding and resources they need to keep Californians safe from harm."
The grants for the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team Program will be administered by the Office of Emergency Services. The funding, authorized in the 2006-2007 budget, will help apprehend and prosecute the nearly 15,000 sex offenders who are in violation of their registration requirements.
The purpose of the SAFE Team Program is two-fold: 1) to increase the registration compliance rate of sex offenders, and to arrest and prosecute sex offenders who violate the terms and conditions of their probation or parole, who fail to comply with registration requirements, or who commit new sexual offenses; and 2) to deliver public education on Megan's Law in order to protect the public from sexual assault.
California's Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of local communities may protect themselves and their children.
The six county sheriffs' offices selected through the competitive regional grant process are as follows:
- Los Angeles County Sheriff: $1,199,000
- San Luis Obispo County Sheriff: $687,750
- Santa Clara County Sheriff: $953,250
- Sacramento County Sheriff: $799,350
- Tulare County Sheriff: $639,000
- Riverside County Sheriff: $731,950
