Suffolk announces holiday crackdown on DWI
Suffolk County Highway Patrol officer Keith Cashman gives a summons to a driver who drove on the wrong side of the road at the intersection of Route 347 and Route 111 in Hauppauge. (May 11, 2011) Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
If you drink this Memorial Day weekend, don't drive -- or operate a boat. Suffolk County police said officers will be on patrol, taking to the roads, the waterways, even the air to catch offenders.
"The Suffolk County Police Department is doing everything possible to keep residents safe during the holiday weekend," Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said in a statement announcing "a comprehensive crackdown" on intoxicated drivers and boaters this holiday weekend. He vowed officers "will arrest anyone who is under the influence behind the wheel of a vehicle or boat."
Police will even use helicopters to spot potential offenders, Dormer and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said. The crackdown will include officers from the Marine Bureau, Community Oriented Police Enforcement units, the Aggressive Driving Task Force and the Selective Alcohol Fatality Enforcement Section. Checkpoints will be set up throughout Suffolk.
"Drinking while driving or operating a boat while intoxicated will not be tolerated on Suffolk County roads and waterways," Levy said in a prepared statement.
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Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
