Release #329-00

 

Contact:	Sunny Mindel/Michael Anton (212) 788-2958
	Tom Antenen (DCPI) (212) 374-6700

MADD ANNOUNCES NYPD TO RECEIVE NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik today reminded motorists that the Police Department will once again increase drunk driving enforcement at locations throughout the City during the upcoming Labor Day Holiday weekend. The Mayor and the Police Commissioner warned New Yorkers that anyone who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs faces steep fines, forfeiture of their vehicle and a possible prison sentence.

"The New York City Police Department will be actively patrolling the highways and streets of our City from 9pm Friday, September 1st through 4am Tuesday, September 5th and will be manning 85 sobriety checkpoints that will be set up throughout the five boroughs," Mayor Giuliani said. "We want people to know that if they are caught driving while intoxicated, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law-and they may well lose their car. So don't put your car-and most importantly, your life and the lives of others-at risk. Don't get behind the wheel if you've had too much to drink."

"This coming holiday weekend promises to be an enjoyable one for all New Yorkers," said Commissioner Kerik. "To keep it that way, the NYPD urges everyone to act responsibly and in accordance with the law. If alcohol is going to be part of your celebration, don't even think about getting behind the wheel. Our officers are going to be on heightened alert and we are gong to have DWI checkpoints set up throughout the city. I f you drive while under the influence of alcohol, you are going to be arrested, your car is going to be seized for forfeiture and your holiday will be over."

The Mayor and Commissioner Kerik were also joined by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers New York State Chapter Chair Maureen Fisher Ricardella, who announced that next month the NYPD will receive MADD's National President's Award for Outstanding Law Enforcement.

In her nomination of the NYPD for this award, Ms. Ricardella cited the success and innovation of the City's vehicle forfeiture program in getting drunk drivers off of the streets, and the Mayor's and NYPD's insistence that drunk driving is a violent crime.

"Since the beginning of our Vehicle Forfeiture Program on February 22, 1999 the NYPD has seized 2,558 vehicles and made 7,170 arrests," said Mayor Giuliani. "Just as guns and knives are seized from robbers, the vehicles of drunk drivers are potentially dangerous weapons. I am honored that MADD-an organization vital to our ongoing efforts to reduce the destruction caused by drunk driving-has recognized the success of this City policy."

"The NYPD is truly honored to be the recipient of this Outstanding Law Enforcement Department award," said Commissioner Kerik. "We know that this program has made a real difference in the safety of NYC roads and has saved many lives. We'd like to thank Ms. Ricardella for nominating us for this prestigious award and MADD for acknowledging the success of this program.

The City's DWI vehicle forfeiture policy took effect on February 22, 1999. Between February 22, 1998 and June 30, 1999, there were 2,476 DWI crashes in the City, which resulted in 40 fatalities. Between February 22, 1999 and June 30, 2000, there were 2,382 crashes, and 33 fatalities - reductions of 3.8% and 17.5% respectively.

M.A.D.D. will award the NYPD its National President's Award on September 9th at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.