Drive sober, or get pulled over: That’s the message Nassau County and the Port Washington Police Department are sending by dedicating new resources for the STOP DWI program through the end of 2026.

Members of the Nassau County Legislature’s Rules committee voted unanimously on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to approve a five-year contract between Nassau County’s Traffic Safety Board, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Port Washington Police Department that delivers $25,000 in NYS STOP-DWI Foundation grant funds to the Port Washington Police Department to support its DWI prevention efforts.

“I am committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies like the Port Washington Police Department have the resources they need to keep our roads safe,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove), who serves on the Rules committee, said. “We are proud to continue this important partnership with the Port Washington Police Department – one that helps to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities by getting drunk and impaired drivers off our roads.”

Fines collected from people who are convicted of DWI/DWAI-related infractions in Nassau County are returned to the Traffic Safety Board and applied to the STOP-DWI program.

“This funding will go a long way in our efforts to identify, arrest and fine more people who are driving while under the influence,” Port Washington Police Chief Robert Del Muro added. “This increased funding will undoubtedly keep our streets safer for sober drivers and pedestrians.”

Please contact DeRiggi-Whitton’s office with questions about this or any other topic at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov.