DWI enforcement grants of $30G awarded to Long Beach and Freeport police by Nassau DA

The Nassau County District Attorney's Office has awarded $30,000 each to the Long Beach and Freeport police departments to increase enforcement of intoxicated drivers through the summer, officials said on Tuesday.

District Attorney Anne Donnelly awarded the grant funding using asset forfeiture funds in the district attorney's office. The funding will increase patrols overnight and weekends in Long Beach and Freeport with officers assigned to target drivers who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Donnelly said.

"Each year, we stand together and talk about the consequences of drunk driving and drugged driving as we enter what's known in law enforcement as the 100 deadliest days," Donnelly said. "And every year, despite our warnings, we see drivers rolling the dice, taking that chance, justifying their choices, saying, I've only had a few drinks."

Funding for the enhanced patrols started on Memorial Day weekend. Across Nassau County, police made more than two dozen driving while intoxicated arrests from Saturday through Monday, Donnelly said.

Suffolk County police also announced increased patrols through the holiday weekend and through the summer.

Suffolk police reported 29 DWI arrests from Friday night through Tuesday morning.

The increased patrols in Long Beach and Freeport will focus on high-traffic areas around nightlife where drivers may be more likely to be drinking and driving, Donnelly said.

"These enhanced patrols are going to help keep our beachfront and waterfront communities safe," Donnelly said. 

Freeport Deputy Police Chief Donnie Ethier said the funding would add extra officers focused on DWI for each weekend of the summer in addition to at least five officers on the road each night.

Long Beach acting Police Commissioner Richard DePalma said the grant funding would primarily cover overtime and usually pay for two officers and a supervisor.

"These funds can be instrumental in keeping our streets safe and they are going to save lives," DePalma said. "We can put extra patrols on the street. We started this weekend, we will continue throughout the summer, especially on Fourth of July weekend, and getting out to Labor Day weekend."

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.