Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz (center) shakes hands with Lieutenant Kevin Barnas of the NYS Police (Troop A) as Erie County officials present a sobriety checkpoint trailer to the NYS Police. The trailer, marked with Erie County STOP-DWI and NYSP logos, will be used by Troop A to expand their capacity to conduct sobriety checkpoints in Erie County.

Poloncarz, Glascott Join NYS Police Representatives; Presentation Spotlights Anti-DWI Partnership

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Commissioner of Central Police Services John Glascott, Director of the Erie County STOP-DWI Office John Sullivan, and Lieutenant Kevin Barnas of Troop A of the New York State Police (“NYSP”) to present the NYSP with a new trailer to expand law enforcement’s capacity to conduct sobriety checkpoints in Erie County. The trailer, which was purchased with DWI fine revenue and will be used by Troop A, is a 10 foot tow-behind version marked with Erie County STOP-DWI and NYSP logos.

“The anti-DWI partnership between Erie County and the New York State Police is critical to keeping impaired drivers off the road, catching those who do get behind the wheel, and keeping all residents safer. Especially at the holidays, we want all motorists to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving and to know that law enforcement is looking for them,” said Poloncarz. “This trailer will allow greater flexibility and mobility for law enforcement while conducting sobriety checkpoints and will bring to the field the resources they need to do so in a safe, efficient and effective manner.”

The trailer was purchased with $4,100 in DWI fine revenues and will be donated to the NYSP Foundation, an Albany-based organization, for use by NYSP Troop A, which patrols in Erie County.  The NYSP will also acquire the cones, signage, and other traffic control materials to be transported within it. Prior to this, traffic control services at all sobriety checkpoints in Erie County (including those being conducted by the NYSP) had been supplied and funded solely by the Erie County STOP-DWI office.   The NYSP, which has its own traffic control protocol, will now be able to conduct both law enforcement and traffic control functions at a checkpoint with no additional cost to Erie County STOP-DWI.   

“Having traffic control material in one location and easily deliverable to any location makes checkpoints easier to perform and more efficiently organized,” added Commissioner Glascott. “This partnership strengthens both parties, with motorists and all county residents benefiting as potentially dangerous drivers are removed from the roads.”

Director of the Erie County STOP-DWI Office John Sullivan said, “The State Police are an important partner in Erie County DWI prevention efforts. Troopers regularly join officers and deputies from 22 other Erie County police agencies to perform highly visible enforcement, create a deterrent, and apprehend drunken drivers before they hurt someone. We are pleased to add this additional capacity to our enforcement efforts.”