Multi-agency DWI enforcement sees drop in intoxicated drivers over Thanksgiving holiday
Law enforcement issues 38 tickets with saturation patrols on Nov. 26-27
Joint Press Release by Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office & New York State Police
ALBION – The Albion Police Department hosted and supervised a multi-agency Orleans County Wide DWI Saturation Patrol and 2 checkpoint locations last week beginning on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and ending at 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving.
This detail combined the Law Enforcement efforts from three law enforcement agencies in Orleans County along with the Orleans County Probation Department and NYS Parole.
The agencies involved consisted of the Albion Police, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, with logistical support provided by the Orleans County Probation and NYS Parole. While the Medina Police Department and the Holley Police Department did not participate in the checkpoint each agency conducted saturation patrols in their jurisdiction.
The detail results are as follows:
- DWI Arrests: 3 – 2 in the Village of Albion (Albion PD), one misdemeanor and one felony; 1 in the Town of Albion (Sheriff’s Office)
- Vehicles through the Checkpoint: 100-plus
- Traffic Stops: 68
- Tickets Issued: 20 by Albion PD, 4 by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, 4 by New York State Police, 4 by Medina Police, and 6 by the Holley Police
- NYS Penal Law Arrests: 1 Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 2x counts (Albion PD)
- NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law Arrests: 3 – 1 Felony (AUO 1st) 2 Misdemeanors (AUO 3rd & Suspended Reg)-Albion PD
- Agency Breakdown: Albion PD, 26 stops; Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, 7 stops; State Police, 6 stops; Medina PD, 16 stops; and Holley Police, 14 stops.
The Albion Police Department and the other law enforcement agencies are committed to making the roadways safe for all those who travel upon them.
Compared to previous years, this year’s detail had a comparable number of vehicle stops and vehicles traveling through the checkpoint as previous years, but the percentage of intoxicated or impaired drivers has decreased again from previous years.
The data from this year’s detail indicates that less than 5% of the motorists stopped were intoxicated and around 2% of all encounters were with intoxicated people, whereas in previous years we have seen data as high as 20% of the motorists stopped were intoxicated.
This is positive news in our efforts to reduce accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. The reduction of DWI arrests is a positive and motivating factor when these types of details are conducted.
Many believe that law enforcement want to make more DWI arrests during these details, however we like to see the opposite. Law enforcement had interactions with numerous individuals and found that an overwhelming majority were responsible and not under the influence of alcohol. We also encountered several intoxicated passengers with sober designated drivers.
Intoxicated drivers do not follow jurisdictional lines, so we decided that we would not either. The Albion Police Department and its partners are planning similar details for the future. We will continue to use every resource and tool available to create a reduction in offenders and arrest those who continue to endanger others by driving while intoxicated.
The commitment and dedication by the officers, deputies and troopers who worked the detail undoubtedly saved lives in Orleans County by making arrests and sending a clear message to deter others from drinking and driving.
