During a recent drug and compliance sweep in northern San Diego County, law enforcement officials arrested at least 43 people who  allegedly violated terms of their probation, San Diego 6 News reported.

"Operation Tip the Scale" was carried out by nearly 250 police officers, sheriff deputies and treatment professionals on October 24. They checked on 160 people who were on probation or parole in the Vista and Oceanside areas of the county, the majority of  whom had been charged with drug-related offenses.

This was not the first such operation to occur in the county, but it was the largest since 2009, the article stated. The point of the operation was not to lock offenders in jail, Patricia Duke, assistant sheriff, told the news source, but to "provide them a path to get on track, get back to work, and to being productive citizens." Offenders are given the opportunity to speak with substance abuse professionals who can help them seek treatment in local programs.

According to a Facebook post by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, 15 law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation. In the latest sweep, officers and other authorities checked in on former prison inmates, also known as "post release offenders," who are now under the supervision of San Diego County.

Since California instituted its prison realignment program in October 2011, low-level or non-violent state prisoners have been transferred to county jails or released early and are on probation under the county's supervision. Many counties across the state have discussed how the program has affected their local correctional system, requiring more space in jails and more personnel to keep watch over those on probation.