CRAIG D. APPLE SR.

SHERIFF

PAUL M. COURCELLE
CHIEF DEPUTY

WILLIAM C. COX
UNDERSHERIFF

MATTHEW J. CAMPBELL
CHIEF DEPUTY

ALBANY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

COUNTY COURT HOUSE ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207 (518) 487-5400 FAX: (518) 487-5037 WWW.ALBANYCOUNTYSHERIFF.COM

Press Release February 07, 2012

Unannounced Saturation Patrols during Super Bowl Weekend Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. and Albany County STOP-DWI Administrator Lieutenant Kerry B. Thompson today announced the latest countywide STOP-DWI enforcement crackdown. The crackdown coincided with the NFL Super Bowl and the numerous house parties that are typically held. It was conducted from February 3, 2012 to February 6, 2012. This patrol was announced as part of a statewide initiative but not announced locally. The message that Sheriff Apple is trying to send is to expect these patrols every night and dont drink and drive in Albany County. Have a plan in place, use a designated driver or call a taxi, just dont get behind the wheel. Lt. Thompson said. During this enforcement wave, law enforcement agencies throughout the county were out in full force, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to reduce the incidence of drunk driving to ensure the safety of our roadways. Motorists are reminded that driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher will put them over the limit and under arrest. Drivers should further note that operating a vehicle with a BAC of more than 0.05 is driving while ability impaired. This most recent effort resulted in 21 arrests for motorists allegedly operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The enforcement period also resulted in 415 traffic stops with numerous citations being issued for a variety of violations. There was also one alcohol related crash that resulted in injuries which occurred in the Town of Westerlo. The average Blood Alcohol Content for the 21 arrests was 0.15%, which is nearly two times the legal limit for DWI. The highest BAC was 0.28% which is three and a half times the limit for DWI. During a similar time frame in 2010, officers made 1048 stops and arrested 25 individuals for driving while intoxicated. Keeping with the new policy of naming these patrols in honor of past DWI victims, this saturation patrol was held in honor of Anson Breen (20) of Colonie, who on February 26, 2006 lost his life when the vehicle that he was riding in crashed into a tree on Lincoln Avenue in the Town of Colonie. The driver in that case, Thomas Lafore (20) of Colonie, was intoxicated and later pled guilty to manslaughter and received a sentence of 21/3 to 7 years in state prison. Ansons mother Darlene Breen was later quoted as saying After the driver serves his time, his family will be whole. He will be free to get married, have children and resume his life. But thanks to an irresponsible decision, I will never have the opportunity to see my son get married. I will never see him father his own children. This is just another reminder of how far reaching and long lasting the crime of driving while intoxicated can be said Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. ###