Twenty-one people were arrested for DWI or DWAI and 415 traffic stops were conducted with numerous citations issued for violations between Feb. 3 and Feb. 6 as part of a countywide STOP-DWI enforcement crackdown, according to Albany County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, the average BAC for the 21 arrests was 0.15 percent, nearly two times the legal limit, and the highest BAC was 0.28 percent, three and a half times the legal limit. There was one alcohol related crash in the Town of Westerlo.
The crackdown coincided with the Super Bowl and was announced as part of a statewide initiative but not announced locally. Law enforcement agencies throughout the county conducted sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols.
“The message that Sheriff Apple is trying to send is to expect these patrols every night and don’t drink and drive in Albany County. Have a plan in place, use a designated driver or call a taxi, just don’t get behind the wheel.” Lt. Kerry Thompson said.
During a similar time frame in 2010, officers made 1,048 stops and arrested 25 individuals for DWI, according to information from the sheriff’s office.
The STOP-DWI patrols are named in honor of past DWI victims and this year’s was held in honor of Anson Breen, 20, of Colonie, who died on Feb. 26, 2006 when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree and the driver, Thomas Lafore, 20, of Colonie, was intoxicated and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
