WESTCHESTER: County Police To Increase DWI Enforcement And Security Patrols During Thanksgiving

HAWTHORNE (WESTCHESTER COUNTY) NY: Westchester County Police will deploy increased patrols this Thanksgiving holiday season to enforce DWI laws and enhance security around the Westchester County Airport, public transit hubs, houses of worship and retail shopping areas.

Beginning Wednesday, the County Police will be participating in a statewide STOP-DWI enforcement campaign that will continue through the Thanksgiving weekend. In addition, uniformed officers and tactical teams will be stepping up inspections and critical infrastructure patrols around major retail hubs, railroad and bus stations, houses of worship and other sensitive locations.

“Many people will be traveling on our parkways and through Westchester County Airport during the Thanksgiving holiday period,” County Executive George Latimer said. “The County Police will be deploying extra resources to ensure that everyone can reach their destinations as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Acting Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor said the DWI enforcement effort will include roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints along the Bronx River, Cross County, Saw Mill River and Hutchinson River parkways as well as in various municipalities.

He urged anyone who will be drinking alcohol to make a plan in advance for a sober ride home, whether by calling a taxi or ride-share service or having a designated driver.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 185 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2020 during the Thanksgiving holiday period (6 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through 5:59 a.m. the Monday after Thanksgiving). From 2016-2020, 821 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes during the entire Thanksgiving holiday period

The County Police will also be participating in Operation Safeguard, a public safety and counter-terrorism initiative. Law enforcement agencies in Westchester and Putnam counties will be working together to conduct security checks of religious facilities, train stations, commuter parking, 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 not in response to any specific threat.