22nd Annual STOP-DWI Law Enforcement
Awards Honor Local “TOP COPS”
Thanksgiving crackdown on impaired drivers takes place Nov. 23-27
Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess County STOP-DWI Planning Board honored eight law enforcement officers as “TOP COPS” at the 22nd Annual Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program’s Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon held last week at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in the City of Poughkeepsie. The event honors police officers from throughout Dutchess County for their commitment and contributions to the STOP-DWI Program’s mission.
Dutchess County Legislator Angela Flesland said, “Each day, our law enforcement officials embody selflessness and dedication, keeping the residents of our county as safe as possible on the road. Particularly in the current climate, when law enforcement officials throughout our country are under such scrutiny and pressure, it’s imperative we recognize their valiant service and enforcement efforts throughout Dutchess County. We must also be mindful we each play a part in keeping our roadways safe, and motorists must make decisions behind the wheel that don’t jeopardize their safety or the safety of others.”
STOP-DWI’s mission is to deter drunk/drugged driving through enhanced enforcement, prosecution, rehabilitation, and education services. The annual “TOP COP” awards honors officers for their strong enforcement efforts in the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers.
The Dutchess County STOP-DWI Planning Board honored local law enforcement’s “TOP COPS” at last week’s 22nd Annual Law Enforcement Awards Luncheon.
2016 “TOP COP” Award Winners
Law Enforcement Officer/Law Enforcement Agency
Trooper Edward Reiser/New York State Police Troop K (Wappinger)
Trooper Oleg Trebisovsky/New York State Police Troop K (East Fishkill)
Deputy Sheriff Evan Traudt/Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Stephen Sansoni/Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
Police Officer Travis Sterritt/Village of Red Hook Police
Police Officer Richard Sisilli/Town of Poughkeepsie Police
Police Officer Michael Veeder/Village of Millerton Police
Police Officer Justin Felicello/Town of Hyde Park Police
Deputy Sheriff Dawn Bonds, a full-time STOP-DWI officer in the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, was also recognized for her efforts. From January 2016 to September 2016, Deputy Sheriff Bonds affected 77 impaired driving arrests while conducting her patrols in Dutchess County.
The event highlighted the start of the annual “Thanksgiving Crackdown” campaign, which runs from Wednesday, November 23rd through Sunday, November 27th, with law enforcement agencies across Dutchess County participating in a county-wide program to catch impaired drivers this holiday season. The “Thanksgiving Crackdown” campaign is intended to discourage people from driving impaired, promote awareness, and keep the roadways safe.
The “Thanksgiving Crackdown” campaign includes coordinated, multi-jurisdictional sobriety checkpoints and targeted saturation patrols throughout Dutchess County and includes the assignment of Drug Recognition Experts to assist in the identification and apprehension of those impaired by drugs other than alcohol. Motorists who encounter what they suspect is an impaired driver should call 911 with a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel. The enforcement effort is administered by the Dutchess County STOP-DWI program through grant funding awarded from the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation.
Dutchess County STOP-DWI Coordinator William C. Johnson said, “Though today’s event celebrates the law enforcement officers who bravely protect our roads, they work tirelessly – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – to rid Dutchess County’s roads of impaired drivers. There are no excuses and there will be no warning: Those who choose to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol will be arrested and prosecuted. Dutchess County will not allow one motorist’s poor decision to adversely affect those with whom they share they road.”
