For More Information Contact:
Colleen Pillus
845-486-2000
Email: cpillus@dutchessny.gov
Poughkeepsie...The Dutchess County STOP-DWI Planning Board honored ten law enforcement officers today at the 20th Annual Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program’s Law Enforcement Awards Breakfast held at Dutchess Community College in the Town of Poughkeepsie. The annual event honors police officers from throughout Dutchess County for their commitment and contributions to the STOP-DWI Program’s mission. The event also highlighted the start of the annual “Holiday Crackdown” campaign, which runs from December 12th through New Year’s Day, with law enforcement agencies across Dutchess County participating in a county-wide program to catch impaired drivers this holiday season. The “Holiday Crackdown” campaign is intended to discourage people from driving impaired, promote awareness, and keep the roadways safe.
“The annual STOP-DWI Program Law Enforcement Awards ceremony helps to increase public awareness regarding coordinated STOP-DWI programming and all of the focused enforcement efforts within Dutchess County,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro. “As we begin the ‘Holiday Crackdown’ campaign, these awards serve as a reminder of the work and dedication of our law enforcement to ensure we can get home to our family and friends safely. It is also an important reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to do what they can to keep our roads safe.”
STOP-DWI’s mission is to deter drunk/drugged driving through enhanced enforcement, prosecution, rehabilitation, and education services. The annual TOP COP awards honors officers for their strong enforcement efforts in the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers.
| Law Enforcement Officer: | Law Enforcement Agency: |
|---|---|
| Deputy Sheriff Evan Traudt | Dutchess County Sheriff's Office |
| Lieutenant Frank LaMonica | Dutchess County Sheriff's Office |
| Deputy Sheriff Neil A. Stuart | Dutchess County Sheriff's Office |
| Police Officer Joseph Wasilewski | Town of Hyde Park Police |
| Trooper Michael Bayer | New York State Police, Troop K (East Fishkill) |
| Trooper Michael F. Patterson | New York State Police, Troop K (Rhinebeck) |
| Police Officer Edward Fenichel | City of Poughkeepsie Police |
| Police Officer Gregory Drobot | Town of Poughkeepsie Police |
| Police Officer Travis Sterritt | Village of Red Hook Police |
| Police Officer Brian Smith | Village of Wappingers Falls Police |
The Holiday Crackdown campaign includes coordinated, multi jurisdictional sobriety checkpoints and targeted saturation patrols throughout the county, and includes the assignment of drug recognition experts to assist in the identification and apprehension of those impaired by drugs other than alcohol. Motorists who encounter what they suspect is an impaired driver, should call 911 with a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel. The enforcement effort is administered by the Dutchess County STOP-DWI program through grant funding awarded from the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation.
“There are a lot of people out and about during this busy time of year, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways,” said Dutchess County STOP-DWI Coordinator William C. Johnson. “If you are caught driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”
