For More Information Contact:
Lieutenant Frank LaMonica Jr.
(845) 486-3800
Poughkeepsie…During Thanksgiving and the following weekend members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, City of Beacon Police Department, Town of Hyde Park Police Department, Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, & Village of Millerton Police Department conducted multi-agency “Saturation Patrol” details throughout Dutchess County as part of a high visibility “Crackdown” enforcement campaign. The goal of the Thanksgiving Crackdown was to discourage people from driving impaired, promote awareness, and keep the roadways safe. These details were conducted during the very busy Thanksgiving travel period of November 28 thru December 1, 2013.
These patrol details were funded by the Governors Traffic Safety Committee and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation which awarded the Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program a “Crackdown Enforcement Grant” for the 2013-2014 Crackdown periods. The objective of the enforcement grant is to revitalize and enhance the visibility of the STOP-DWI Program through coordinated multi-agency impaired driving enforcement details targeting identified statewide crackdown periods. They also include the assignment of certified Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) to aid in the identification and apprehension of drivers impaired by drugs other than alcohol.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, publicized efforts like the Crackdown campaign aim to reduce the numbers even further. Motorists encountering what they suspect is an impaired driver, should call 911 with a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel.
The combined efforts of the involved police agencies during this period resulted in the reported arrests of 19 subjects, 15 of those arrests being impaired driving arrests.
Below is a listing of arrestees and charges that have been reported so far.
Jessica Heeney (31 yoa) of Poughkeepsie was charged with DWI & BAC .08% or more both misdemeanors in the Town of Hyde Park.
*All subjects arrested and charged are alleged to have committed the crime and are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are to appear in a local court at a later date.