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Drivers should be prepared to see a boost in drunken-driving patrols throughout town now that the holiday season is under way, said Sgt. John Slusarz of the traffic section of the Greenwich Police Department.
The data for police activity for Thanksgiving weekend shows a "good start to the season," Slusarz said. From noon last Wednesday to midnight Sunday, police made 234 motor vehicle stops and three driving under the influence arrests, 15 car accidents were investigated and no fatalities were reported.
"We were given a federal holiday grant geared toward DUIs," said Slusarz. "It will provide enough funding to fully staff the planned saturation patrols through the New Year."
The department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Dec. 17 and will increase patrols specifically targeting DUIs leading up to Christmas and the New Year. Slusarz said drivers can expect checkpoints on Route 1, Delavan Avenue, Railroad Avenue and Arch Street, just to name a few.
"Historically we've seen higher DUI encounters in those areas," he said. "People have holiday parties the closer we get to Christmas. When people party, they drink. And unfortunately, many of them drive right after."
Saturation patrols funded through the DUI Enforcement Grant will allow police to dedicate overtime to high activity times of 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends.
The Greenwich Police Department urges everyone to not drink and drive and to make use of call-a-ride services or local taxis if they choose to drink and do not have a designated driver.
Be part of the conversation and tell us if you think extended DUI patrols will help curb incidents resulting from drinking and driving.
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