D.A., Cops to Announce East End DWI Task Force

Local, county and state enforcement agencies will announce on Wednesday afternoon — days before the holiday weekend — a joint effort to crack down on drivers who operate under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Dubbed Operation NiteCAP, a statement from the office of District Attorney Thomas Spota announced Tuesday that an East End DWI Task Force would "employ a team approach, without regard to jurisdictional boundaries, to protect local residents and visitors to eastern Long Island from drunk and drugged drivers."

“Local police departments in the five towns and villages don’t have the resources to focus solely on drunk and drugged drivers on holiday weekends,” Spota said.  “This team strategy will augment local law enforcement and make the expansion of the enforcement action on the east end more mobile and responsive.”

Run under the auspices of the D.A., the efforts of the task force will begin Friday evening.

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco is also expected to be on hand, as are members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a nationwide non-profit organization aimed at curbing drunk driving incidents. 

Wednesday's press conference is scheduled for 12:30 in Riverhead, in the parking lot by the Peconic Riverfront.