Crime & Safety

DWI Checkpoints Net 7 Arrests in Riverhead

Efforts are also underway to crack down on boating while intoxicated.

The  message is clear: Don't drink and drive.

Riverhead police announced on Friday that enforcement would be stepped up over Memorial Day weekend to crack down on drunk drivers.

And on Saturday night, seven were arrested as the result of a Suffolk County East End DWI Task Force initiative -- two DWI checkpoints were set up on Sound Avenue and Suffolk County Route 105 in Riverhead, police said.

Francisco Saban, 36, of Riverhead was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor; Pedro Garcia, 30, of Greenport, was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor; Peter Helinski, 18, of Cutchogue, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation; Matthew Larson, 35, of Southold, was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor; Shane A. Hands, 20, of Orient, was charged with driving while impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana,  a violation; James Hinch, 37, of Center Moriches, was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor; and Alisa Raspanjini, 30, of Huntington, was charged with driving while ability impaired by alchohol, a violation.

The Suffolk County East End DWI Task Force consisted of officers from the Riverhead police department, Suffolk County police, New York State Police, Shelter Island police, and Southold police.

Additional enforcement efforts are slated to continue throughout the summer season on the East End.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota first launched the East End DWI Task Force at the start of the Memorial Day weekend in 2012; the effort was galvanized with an eye toward cracking down on individuals driving drunk on area roads.

Outlining the task force last year, Spota said additional patrol cars would be out on the roads, traveling to East End towns.

On a given weekend, Spota said, Southold residents might see patrol cars from East Quogue or Southampton Town; and vice versa.

The cars come from various agencies, including state police cars, and cars from the sheriff's office.

In addition, the "BAT Mobile," a mobile unit that allows officers to administer breath alcohol testing on the spot, as well as to arrest and process defendants, are set up at "saturation" patrol checkpoints. The unit even includes a cell for up to four prisoners.

Spota said there has been a "surge" of DWI arrests countywide, with approximately 1,200 logged in 2011.

Countywide, 699 blood tests came back positive for driving while intoxicated in 2011, Spota said.

"That's an astounding number," he said, adding that the numbers of people arrested for driving while drinking or using drugs are higher than ever before.The goal, he added, is to team up to tackle the escalating problem, using a multi-jurisdictional approach.

“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.”

"If you're going to drink at a party, stay put," said MADD victim advocate Margaret Rebholz, at last year's press conference.

Last years DWI task force efforts were deemed successful: Just over Labor Day weekend, 2012, the task force made 19 DWI arrests, two for driving while impaired and three for drug possession, Spota said. And in June, 2012, during a weekend when many high school seniors were celebrating graduation, he said, there were 26 DWIs, six impaired drivers and five drug arrests.

Spota said last year that the DWI task force would continue its efforts throughout the year, including during the holiday season. And now, with the aid of the Coast Guard and marine divisions of East End law enforcement agencies, the task force will take to the local bays to crack down on boating while intoxicated.

"The message we all have is that we want people to come to the East End," Spota said. "We want visitors to enjoy everything the East End has to offer." But, he said, the task force was galvanized to protect residents and visitors alike. "We want people to come. But don't drink and drive. If they do, they're going to be arrested. It's as simple as that."





Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.