*** PRESS CONFERENCE / RELEASE ***

OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE STOP-DWI ENFORCEMENT CRACKDOWN

Unannounced Saturation Patrols and Checkpoints Are Part of Heightened Effort

Acting Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple and Lieutenant Kerry B. Thompson, the Administrator of the Albany County STOP-DWI Program, today announced the latest countywide STOP-DWI enforcement crackdown. The crackdown coincided with the Halloween holiday weekend and was executed from October 28 to November 1, 2011 and is just one of many planned heightened enforcement periods throughout the course of the year. During the enforcement wave, law enforcement agencies throughout the county were out in force, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to reduce the incidence of drunk driving to ensure the safety of our roadways. Motorists are reminded that driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher will put them over the limit and under arrest. Drivers should further note that operating a vehicle with a BAC of more than 0.05 is driving while ability impaired. It has been a long standing policy of the STOP-DWI Program to give the public prior notice when the saturation patrols would be conducted. We did this in an effort to educate the public, to encourage them to make the right decision not to drink and drive. That policy has been changed. Although we will still announce many of these efforts, we are going to mix it up a bit with some unannounced saturation patrols as well, Sheriff Apple said. Denis Foley, the Albany County STOP-DWI Coordinator added, we will also be naming our saturation patrols in honor of past victims of DWI crashes. It will put a personal touch to it, give it purpose and meaning Foley said. The most recent saturation patrol, held in honor of past law enforcement members injured by drunk drivers in Albany County, was announced as part of a statewide initiative. It resulted in xx arrests for motorists allegedly operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The enforcement period also resulted in xxxx traffic stops with numerous citations being issued for a variety of violations. A saturation patrol held during a similar time frame in 2010 resulted in 15 DWI arrests. A press conference will be held at the Albany County Courthouse, 16 Eagle Street, Albany NY 12207 on November 1st at 11:00AM. Police Officers from the New York State Police, Colonie Police Dept., Cohoes Police Dept. and Bethlehem Police Dept. who have been injured as a result of drunk drivers will be on hand for comments.

###

*** PRESS CONFERENCE / RELEASE ***

November 1, 2011 (11:00AM) Albany County Courthouse, Room 427 16 Eagle Street, Albany NY 12207

Welcome & Opening Remarks (Introduction of Police Officer Victims) Denis Foley Albany County STOP-DWI Coordinator Results from Saturation Patrol Craig D. Apple Acting Albany County Sheriff District Attorneys Policy Mary Tanner-Richter or David Soares Albany County District Attorneys Office Victim remarks Trooper Ian DeGiovine (NYSP) Inv. Richard Garhartt (Colonie PD, Ret.) Lt. John A Archambut (Colonie PD) Officer Larry Waiman (Millburn-Short Hills PD, Ret.)