1.   The Legislature finds and declares that:

   a.   The enforcement of probation sentences is crucial to the public safety;

   b.   Despite a drop in the overall crime rate, the number of dangerous and repeat offenders who are serving probation sentences has continued to rise in New Jersey;

   c.   The number of probationers who have violated the conditions of probation and have a warrant issued for their arrest has reached 15,000;

   d.   Probation officers working in the New Jersey State courts are not currently permitted to enforce these warrants;

   e.   Probation officers in other states are permitted to act as law enforcement officers.

   L.2001,c.362,s.1.