Mangano Announces Increased DWI Patrols On Nassau Roads This “Black Wednesday”

LongIsland.com

Enforcement Initiative to Target Drunk Drivers Thanksgiving Week.

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Nassau County, NY - November 26, 2013 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today that this upcoming Thanksgiving week, the Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County STOP DWI Coordinator will participate in a “STOP-DWI” program that allocates additional police officers to conduct an extensive DWI enforcement initiative. County Executive Mangano was joined by Rich Mallow State Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Marge Lee of DEDICATEDD, Brian Rosenberg of Restaurants Against Drunk Driving (RADD) and Larry Blessinger, owner of All Island Transportation.

“The night before Thanksgiving is typically one of the biggest bar nights of the year especially for our young people. Nassau County will be targeting drunk drivers and looking to prevent the kind of senseless alcohol-related accidents that often occur during such a holiday weekend. There will be additional police patrols throughout the County and chances are if you drive drunk at any point this weekend, you will be arrested,” said County Executive Mangano. “Police patrols will demonstrate zero tolerance for individuals who are driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Our aim will be to make the roadways safe for holiday drivers and our targets will be those who disregard the law. Nassau County has added 500 additional hours of DWI patrols and our Probation Office is ensuring that 900 DWI offenders have interlock devices in their vehicles. Think before you drink this holiday and arrive alive….don’t drink and drive!”

The “STOP DWI” program is funded by DWI fines collected in Nassau County and will provide the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and police departments throughout the county with additional funding that will be utilized to implement an effective DWI saturation enforcement strategy that has proven very successful in years past. The NCPD’s Highway Patrol Bureau will coordinate and plan this initiative that will target certain areas throughout the county. There were 85 DWI arrests in Nassau County over last year’s Thanksgiving weekend, and in 2011 there were 78 DWI arrests countywide during the same time period.

County Executive Mangano reminds residents:

  • If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out.
  • Take mass transit, a cab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home
  • Spend the night where the activity is being held.
  • Always buckle up – it is your best defense against a drunk driver.