Mangano Reminds Residents: Do Not Drink And Drive

Additional Police Patrols on Duty

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and the Nassau County Police Department announced today that this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, that they will participate in a “STOP-DWI” program that will allocate additional police officers via a grant to conduct an extensive DWI enforcement initiative. The County Executive was joined by Tom McCoy from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Marge Lee of DEDICATEDD, and Larry Blessinger, owner of All Island Transportation.

“The night before Thanksgiving is typically one of the biggest bar nights of the year. Nassau County will be on patrol for 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 so if you drive drunk, you will be arrested,” said County Executive Mangano.

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. There were 71 DWI arrests in Nassau County over last year’s Thanksgiving weekend, and in 2010 there were 98 DWI arrests countywide during the same time period.

Police Commissioner Tom Dale stated, “This campaign is intended to identify and apprehend alcohol impaired drivers. 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.”

County Executive Mangano and Police Commissioner Dale remind everyone:

  • 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’s your best defense against a drunk driver.

“It has been no secret that Nassau County is tough on drunk drivers,” said County Executive Mangano. “We have added 500 additional hours of DWI patrols and more targeted enforcement here in Nassau and our Probation Office is currently ensuring that 900 DWI offenders here have interlock devices in their vehicles. I want everyone to enjoy the holiday and the long weekend, but also to also make responsible and smart decisions during their celebrations. Please ‘think before you drink’ this weekend.”