Police arrest seven Costa Mesa probationers for alleged violations

Costa Mesa police say they arrested seven people Tuesday during one of their periodic sweeps to make sure probationers in the city are complying with the terms of their release.

Officers checked 24 homes of known probationers and ultimately contacted 18 of the people on their list, according to a news release.

Of the seven taken into custody, four were arrested on suspicion of felony violations of their parole.

Costa Mesa police and the Orange County Probation Department began teaming up for the sweeps after California’s realignment program started in 2011.

Designed to ease prison overcrowding, realignment placed offenders determined to be non-violent and low-risk under local supervision instead of the state’s.

Police said three known gang members and two registered sex offenders were among the probationers contacted by officers.

During a sweep in April, police arrested two probationers in Costa Mesa, and in March, they made three such arrests.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck