Cops to enhance DWI enforcement this week

The Nassau and Suffolk police departments each pledged Monday to enhance patrols targeting drunken drivers during the New Year's holiday.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said in a news release that a Stop-DWI program is in effect throughout the week.

The initiative, funded by drunken-driving fines collected by the county, allocates additional police officers for extensive DWI enforcement, the release said.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said her department announced before Thanksgiving an enforcement plan through Wednesday that included targeting drunken drivers.

In announcing the plan in November, County Executive Steve Bellone said the goal for police is to "keep residents safe on our roadways and in areas with increased crowds."

State Police also will have fixed sobriety checkpoints in both counties, from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday, a spokesman said Monday.

Exact locations are yet to be determined, but eight troopers will work with Nassau police and State Park Police.

In Suffolk, two troopers will combine with officers from other law-enforcement agencies to form an East End DWI task force, the spokesman said.

Also, fixed sobriety checkpoints and extra patrols will be assigned in the towns of Riverhead and Southampton, the spokesman said.