By Jeff Lipton
About 10 additional patrol cars were deployed throughout the eight county precincts from Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. through Jan. 1 at 11:59 p.m. to catch drunk drivers, authorities said. The 1st Precinct led the way with 11 arrests, followed by the 3rd Precinct, with eight, and the 4th and 5th, with six arrests apiece. The 8th Precinct had four arrests, the 7th Precinct two and the 6th Precinct with one.
The tally also included arrests made by village police, with Garden City leading the way with four, Westbury with three, Rockville Centre with two and Great Neck with one. The county's highway unit also made eight arrests for DWI during the three-day span.
"Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense that has cost many people their lives," said Nassau County Police Commissioner James Lawrence. "Law enforcement here in Nassau County will continue to crack down on those that do not abide by the rules and regulations that are meant to protect all that reside and visit Nassau County."
Advisories went out to county residents warning them that drunken driving would not be tolerated on county roads, said Nassau County Police Sgt. Anthony Repalone. "We wanted to get to them before they do become involved in an auto accident," Repalone said. "Definitely, the media and the advisories that went out let people know we're out there."
The arrest total was actually smaller than the 62 made a year ago during the New Year's holiday period, police said, indicating to them that the word is getting out.
Police officials said that they did not establish any checkpoints, but rather used mobile patrols to nab drunk drivers. Repalone said that officers carefully watched drivers' habits, noting whether they were weaving between lanes, failing to signal or driving too fast or too slow.
In the Five Towns, one suspect, identified as Herman Canjura, 29, of Valley Stream, was arrested for DWI at Rockaway Turnpike and East Avenue in North Lawrence at 7:40 a.m. on Jan. 1, after he was involved in an accident and then fled the scene, police said. Canjura registered a blood-alcohol level of .16 percent, or twice the legal limit of .08 percent, officials said.
In other arrests, police charged Mordechai Fogel, 17, of Far Rockaway, with DWI on Lawrence Avenue in Lawrence at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, officials said. Police also arrested a suspect, identified as Brianne Marturella, 26, of East Meadow, for DWI on Lido Boulevard in Lido Beach at 4:40 a.m. on Dec. 30.
Suspects face up to a year in jail if they are found guilty of DWI, which is a misdemeanor. With legal fees and penalties, it can cost those who are convicted up to $5,000, said Repalone. "If they are involved in an auto accident, it could be much higher," he said.
"Our main focus is to stop people from driving drunk, not to arrest people," said Deputy Inspector Richard Strothman, deputy commanding officer of the 1st Precinct, which encompasses Baldwin, East Meadow, Bellmore and Merrick. "But we will arrest people."
Strothman said the aim is to "correct people's behavior," and added that the 11 arrests made by his officers "tells me we still have a ways to go" to educate the public about drunk driving. "But still, 11 is better than 12, and we don't know how many we didn't catch," he said.
Inspector Frank Kirby, commander of the 5th Precinct, which includes Valley Stream, Elmont, Franklin Square and West Hempstead, said that since the county began its enforcement and education campaign, "I think we've seen a decrease in DWI-related deaths. I think the message is getting out there more and more."
Deputy Inspector Kenneth Hettler of the 4th Precinct, which takes in the Five Towns, East Rockaway, Oceanside, Lido Beach and Point Lookout, said the education and enforcement efforts have combined to make DWI enforcement a bit easier. "We can only hope that they learn from this," Hettler said of those continuing to drink and drive. "The education value is there - not to put themselves or anybody else at risk."
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
