Suozzi, Mulvey & Rice Announce Aggressive Pursuit of DWI Offenders as Fourth of July Weekend Approaches

361 of the most egregious DWI probationers' license plates loaded into License Plate Reader

Bellmore, NY – Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey, joined by representatives from anti-drunk-driving advocacy organizations MADD and DEDICATEDD, today announced an increase in DWI patrols on highways throughout Nassau County during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.

"Drunk driving is a destructive and potential deadly mistake, and we will take any steps necessary to prevent a loss of life. The harm that can be caused by intoxicated drivers is irreparable and everyone should understand that there is a zero tolerance policy in Nassau County," said County Executive Suozzi. "We want people to enjoy the holiday but remember to be safe and avoid operating any motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol."

"When I took office a year ago, the two things I indicated this Department would concentrate on were getting illegal guns off the streets and arresting DWI violators.  The destruction and impact these two offenses have on our citizens necessitates this Department to continue to take aggressive and innovative means in order to make our community safe," said Commissioner Mulvey. "The County Executive, the Nassau County Police Department and the District Attorney's Office will utilize all our resources and technology to combat these offenses." 

  

"Efforts like this raise awareness, make our roads safer, and force people to acknowledge that drunk driving is a serious crime with serious consequences, and it is not tolerated in Nassau County," said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Nassau County has a unique reputation of aggressively apprehending DWI offenders particularly during those times of the year that traditionally impact local roadways.  This holiday weekend, in addition to the usual compliment of police officers patrolling and looking for DWI violators, Nassau County will have additional officers on patrol utilizing funds from the New York State STOP-DWI grant. In addition, the newly established DWI IMPACT team will also be saturating target areas within Nassau County under the coordination of the Highway Patrol Bureau.

Shortly before Memorial Day this year, County Executive Suozzi and Police Commissioner Mulvey created a "DWI Wall of Shame" launching a rigorous Anti-DWI campaign.  The County saw a 25 percent increase in DWI arrests from Memorial Day to June 30th 2007 to the same time frame in 2008.

County Executive Suozzi and Commissioner Mulvey were joined by Maureen McCormick, the Nassau County prosecutor who successfully argued the second-degree murder conviction for a drunk driver who drove the wrong way on Southern State Parkway last year, killing Leslie Burgess. The drunk driver was convicted of second degree murder on June 30, 2008.

PROGRAMS OFFERED BY NASSAU COUNTY

STEP (Screening, Treatment, Education & Prevention) Program: Nassau County's Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities screens all DWI offenders through the STEP program.  Every client is screened and assessed for the extent of their substance abuse problem and an appropriate treatment placement is made.  Each is monitored to confirm the following through with initiating treatment, and to establish their continued involvement in getting help for chemical dependency; this information is then communicated to the court.

Alternatives to Incarceration: Nassau County offers treatment as an alternative to incarceration for people who have problems (including substance abuse, among other things) which have contributed to the original offense; pending charges must be misdemeanors or violations only.  This provides the opportunity for the client to admit to their substance abuse problem, and to begin treatment to avoid a jail sentence; all clients are thoroughly assessed and placed in treatment at the appropriate level of care. These services are offered in a number of courts including: drug treatment court, and community court.

RAPP (Recidivist Alcohol Probationer Program): The presentence investigator identifies the DWI convicted offender who is seen as an appropriate candidate for RAPP and recommends Alcohol Conditions specific to this program. Special conditions specific to alcohol related offenses are recommended on all other DWI cases. The judge decides which ones are to be enforced. Cases with RAPP conditions are immediately assigned to the DWI unit which is an intensive supervision unit targeting multiple DWI offenders. Where the court does not specifically direct RAPP supervision, the DWI Unit supervisor may screen categorically eligible cases (all DWI felonies, DWI probation violators and recidivist DWI misdemeanants) after sentence and may accept them into the program depending on program capacity.

Jail Treatment Services: The STOP-DWI program is located in a separate dormitory at the Nassau County Correctional Center, this 60-day, 60-bed on-site rehabilitation program empowers incarcerated clients to break the cycle of addition and relapse.  The program works in close collaboration with the Nassau County Court system and offers the following services:

• Individual and group counseling
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Chemical dependency educational series
• HIV/AIDS testing and education
• Daily 12-step support groups
• Discharge planning to insure follow-up treatment and rehabilitation
• Chemical dependency education for Inmates' families
• Advocates for paroled defendants and assists in transition to community-based treatment agencies
• Coordinates with the criminal justice system to provide an integrated approach for client re-entry into the community

Community Treatment Services: Nassau County has a network of community based treatment service providers.  A listing of these providers and contact information is attached.

Victim Impact Panels: Are held monthly by Probation and the Mothers Against Drunk Drives where victims of drunk driving crashes relay personal stories of terrible loss and pain resulting from the actions of drunk drivers. All DWI offenders are required to attend.

Prevention Devices:

SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) Unit: A transdermal alcohol detection device that tests for alcohol at least every hour, 24 hours a day regardless of the offender's ankle bracelet location. This device is used on DWI convicted probationers who have demonstrated a serious dependence on alcohol through a high BAC reading at the time of the arrest or by failed attempts at maintaining sobriety. Particular consideration is given to those cases with frequent relapses after sentencing.

Ignition Interlock Devices: Are recommended on all DWI felonies, multiple misdemeanants and first time offenders with a high BAC of .15 or above. Ignition interlock is mandatory on all Aggravated DWIs. Probation monitors vehicle use and vehicle starts to ensure compliance with this condition.

AGENCY DIRECTORY

Angelo J. Melillo Center for Mental Health

Glen Cove, NY 11542

516-676-2388

BADA - Bethpage Adolescent Development Assoc.

Bethpage, NY 11714

516-433-5344

BCADA – Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse

Baldwin, NY 11510

516-623-5880

Center for Rapid Recovery

Hempstead, NY 11550

516-292-6449

Central Nassau Guidance Counseling Services, Inc.

Hicksville, NY 11801

516-822-4060

CODA – Five Towns Community Center

Lawrence, NY 11559

516-239-6244

Community Counseling Service of West Nassau

Franklin Square, NY 11010

516-328-1717

                                   

CONFIDE – RVC Drug & Alcohol Abuse Inc.

Rockville Centre, NY  11570

516-764-5598

COPAY Inc. Great Neck

Great Neck, NY 11021

516-482-3146

EAC Outpatient

Hempstead, NY 11550

516-486-0564

EDNY - Counseling Services,

Hempstead, NY 11550

516-481-0052

FACTS           

Long Beach, NY 11561          

516-897-1250

Family & Children's Association

Hempstead, NY 11550

516-486-7200 ext. 2212

Family & Children's Association

Hicksville, NY 11801

516-935-6858

Freeport Pride, Inc.

Freeport, NY  11520

516-546-2822

Friends of Bridge, Inc. 

Valley Stream, NY  11580

516-825-5243

Hispanic Counseling Center

Hempstead, NY  11550

516-538-2613

L.I.J. Medical Center

Mineola, NY  11501

516-742-4015

L.I.J. Medical Center

Elmont, NY 11003

516-437-0440

L.I.J. Medical Center

West Hempstead, NY 11552

516-481-2890

L.I.J. Medical Center

Glen Oaks, NY 11004

718-470-8941

Long Beach Medical Center

Long Beach, NY 11563

516-897-1330

Long Beach REACH Inc.

Long Beach, NY 11561

516-889-2332

Mercy Medical Center-FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICES

Garden City, NY  11530         

516-705-3407

Mercy Medical Center-New Hope

Freeport, New York 11520

516-546-7070

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Ctr.

Westbury, NY 11590

516-997-2926

North Shore University Hospital @ Glen Cove 

Community House

Glen Cove, NY 11542

516-674-7852

North Shore University Hospital @ Manhasset

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-562-3010

Oceanside Counseling Center  

Oceanside, NY  11572

516-766-6283

Peninsula Counseling Center

Valley Stream, NY  11580

516-872-9698

Port Counseling Center

Port Washington, NY  11050

516-767-1133

Project Challenge Inc.

Long Beach, NY 11561

516-897-0534

516-992-0846

REACT – Roosevelt Educational Alcoholism

Roosevelt, NY  11575

516-623-7741

SAFE Inc. Substance Abuse Free Environment (Formerly GCCCSA)

Glen Cove, NY  11542

516-676-2019

South Shore Child Guidance Center

Freeport, NY 11520

516-378-2992

Southeast Nassau Guidance Center

Seaford, NY 11783

516-679-9800

Southeast Nassau Guidance Center

Wantagh, NY  11793

516-781-1911

TEMPO Group Inc.

Woodmere, NY  11598

516-374-3671

Y.A.C. REFLECTION

Plainview, NY  11803

516-576-3120

YES Community Counseling

Massapequa, NY  11758

516-799-3203

Yours Ours Mine Community Center

Levittown, NY  11756

516-796-6633

Youth & Family Counseling

Oyster Bay, NY  11771

516-922-6277