County Police to Conduct Increased DWI Enforcement and Critical Infrastructure Patrols on Year's Eve and New Year's Day

Goal is to ensure the safety of motorists and participants in large-scale events

The Department of Public Safety will be conducting increased DWI patrols and helping to enhance security at large-scale public events and major transportation hubs on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

As part of a statewide DWI initiative, the County Police will deploy roving patrols to enforce Driving While Intoxicated laws along the Bronx River, Cross County, Saw Mill and Hutchinson River parkways as well as in Mount Kisco and Cortlandt.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Anyone who drives while impaired by drugs or alcohol poses a danger to themselves, other motorists and pedestrians. The goal of this increased DWI enforcement is prevent tragedies and keep people safe.”

Commissioner Terrance Raynor said people who are planning to consume alcohol should always have a designated driver, or take a taxi or other for-hire service, to avoid getting behind the wheel.

“The Westchester County Police have zero tolerance when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” he said. “If you are found to be impaired, you will be arrested.”

Under Operation Safeguard, a public safety and counter-terrorism initiative, the County Police and other law enforcement agencies will be conducting increased security checks of religious facilities, train stations, commuter parking areas, bus routes, shopping malls and other public gathering places. Under this initiative, more police officers may be observed, including heavily armed tactical teams. The public is reminded that this increased presence is precautionary and not in response to any specific threat.

In addition, the Hazardous Devices unit, known more informally as the Bomb Squad, will conduct pre-event safety sweeps at mass-gathering locations when requested by local police departments. These operations may include the use of explosive-detection canines as part of standard preventive safety protocols.