Westchester County’s Department of Probation and its Stop/DWI program were among only 15 programs nationwide to receive the award for helping to prevent DWI incidents on roadways. The award was announced April 10 during an awards luncheon in Austin, Texas.
“Our Probation Department with the assistance of our Stop/DWI program have been very successful in helping to keep drunk drivers off the roads,’’ said Spano. “This award demonstrates that our programs are a model for the nation when it comes to traffic safety and preventing DWIs.’’
Westchester was singled out for the excellent performance of the Probation Department’s DWI Enforcement Unit, which works to keep probationers convicted of DWI from repeating offenses. The unit, which has 14 officers who oversee about 1,300 cases, uses a number of innovative approaches to make sure that probationers remain alcohol and drug free.
“We are very pleased to receive this award, and to be recognized nationally for the work we do with DWI offenders,’’ said Commissioner Rocco Pozzi. “Helping offenders to stay sober and off our roads keeps people in our communities safer.’’
In addition to Spano and Pozzi, those attending the award ceremony were Probation Deputy Commissioner Jacolyn Levin; STOP-DWI Director Thomas Meier, Probation Department Assistant to the Commissioner James O’Shea, and members of the Probation STOP-DWI Enforcement Unit.