Contact: Captain Raymond B. Studley, Interim Deputy Superintendent, Rhode Island State Police Telephone: (401) 444-1002
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent, of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, and Chief Edward Mello, Chief of the Jamestown Police Department and President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association, announce the results of a joint DWI enforcement effort for the New Year's Holiday weekend.
The state's Municipal Police Departments and the State Police teamed up over the holiday weekend with additional patrols on the roadways concentrating on impaired driving enforcement.
On December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2012, the state's Municipal Police Departments arrested seventeen (17) persons for driving while intoxicated, and the Rhode Island State Police arrested eleven (11) persons for driving while intoxicated.
Colonel O'Donnell stated, "The Rhode Island State Police continues to prioritize DUI enforcement. We stress prevention, but those who decide to endanger our citizens by operating drunk should pay the price for doing so."
"I commend the officers who worked diligently throughout the holidays to ensure that our roadways remained safe. While I am disappointed to learn of the high number of motorists who did not make the right decision during the holiday season, it is clear that law enforcement must remain vigilant in our efforts to stop these offenders, "stated Chief Mello.
Ms. Gabrielle Abbate, Executive Director of Rhode Island Mothers Against Drunk Driving said, "MADD salutes Rhode Island law enforcement, who were on the front lines combating drunk driving in order to keep families safe and injury free during the past holiday weekend. These are the same men and women who offer their protective services year round across the state, in every community. Often times law enforcement is the first to be scrutinized and the last to be commended when it comes to drunk driving issues."
These enforcement efforts will continue throughout the year.