A Win-win for Probation Employees and Juveniles in the South Bay

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the new Probation South Bay Adult and Juvenile Field Services Office August 8, a facility which will allow Probation to supervise and provide treatment services to juveniles as well as adults.

Probation employees are enjoying a safer, roomier, upgraded facility and the juveniles they serve do not have to travel as far to receive services now. The new building is larger and accomodates a total of 55 sworn Probation staff members: 44 adult officers and 11 juvenile officers as well 18 non-sworn staff. The juveniles they serve in the South Bay will no longer have to travel to Probation in Kearny Mesa.  

Supervisor Greg Cox, Chief Probation Officer Mack Jenkins and Sheriff Bill Gore were on hand for the ceremony at 1095 Bay Boulevard in Chula Vista.  The new facility is located at a business park and is larger than the previous location in National City, which could not accommodate juveniles. The location will make it easier for juveniles to meet with their assigned officer and receive services like drug and alcohol counseling and job training, which will improve their chances of success.  

Other improvements include an eye wash station, a designated interview area in a secure location separate from the general offices, more parking and room for expansion.  

“The way the County of San Diego deals with criminals is about to change drastically as the state shifts responsibility for thousands of offenders to local law enforcement,” said Supervisor Cox.  “This will be a fundamental shift and some of that burden will fall squarely on our probation officers and staff, who will have to supervise parolees released by the State into our community. That’s why this new office is so critical in our efforts to better serve South County.”

Last year, the Probation Department supervised approximated 3,300 adults and 1,200 juvenile in the southern areas of the County.