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Image courtesy of SCRAM System The CAM bracelet is a monitor worn around the ankle that can detect alcohol in the person's system.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
A pilot program targeted at reducing repeat drinking and driving is now closer to reality for the seven far western N.C. counties of the 43rd prosecutorial district. On Thursday night, Sept. 8, Swain County Board of Commissioners agreed to act as the fiduciary agent to bring a $70,000 grant from N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
The commissioners approved it in voting its budget amendment 2 in a 4-1 decision with Commissioner Kenneth Parton opposed. The total amendment was $1,070,000 including $300,000 of financing proceeds going to EMS and $700,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that went to county employee bonuses.
Ellen Pitt, the WNC representative for Mothers Against Drunk Driving for 19 years, a member of the regional DWI taskforce for 17 years and a member of the statewide Taskforce for the Governors Highway Safety Program for the past 2 years anticipates the state will approve the funding soon.
The two-year pilot program would pay for pre-trial Continuous Alcohol Monitoring ankle bracelets worn by people charged with DWI or DUIs. It would be funded by the Governors Highway Safety Program. Swain County would be the fiduciary agent for the seven counties in the court district.
Magistrates could issue the requirement as a part of a suspect’s bond, particularly targeting people who have another pending DWI or those who have had a conviction in the past 7 years.
Parton raised concerns about funding the program after the grant ends.
In response, Pitt said it could be funded by the state again or counties of the district could choose to continue to support it, which would amount to $10,000 per county.
Parton also was concerned about making people wear the bracelets prior to conviction and was skeptical about whether it would actually prevent drinking and driving.
ADA Jim Moore was also at the meeting and explained if someone had a CAM bracelet on and it showed they had alcohol in their system, his office would be notified and/or the parole officer. A violation would mean the parameters of the bond were broken and would likely be reset at a higher amount.
“In essence, by wearing it, if you test positive, you’re subject to having your bond revoked,” Moore said.
“I understand all that, but if the subject’s drinking is the sheriff going to stop them right then from driving?” Parton posed.
“It would be appropriate to try to locate them because it would be some indication they could be drinking and driving, but there’s not got a GPS with it,” Moore said.
Commissioner Danny Burns recommended it be approved for the grant with the understanding it could be reviewed after one year, with commissioner Roger Parson seconding.
Pitt, who has seen success with the CAM bracelets particularly in sobriety court, has high hopes it will be beneficial for the district.
“My hat is off to Sheriff Curtis Cochran and Chairman Ben Bushyhead for their support, which has now been extended throughout the district,” she said.