Suffolk Sheriff’s Office Launches Summer STOP-DWI Campaign Ahead of Fourth of July Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2025

Suffolk Sheriff’s Office Launches Summer STOP-DWI Campaign Ahead of Fourth of July Weekend

(YAPHANK NY): On Tuesday, July 1, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. was joined by County Executive Ed Romaine, DA Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Carl Borelli, STOP-DWI Coordinator Caroline Flynn, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office intern Emily Cordano and MADD Regional Executive Director Paige Carbone to officially launch the 2025 Summer STOP-DWI Campaign aimed at keeping impaired drivers off Suffolk County’s roads during one of the most dangerous times of the year.

“Impaired Driving is a choice-a selfish and dangerous one,” Sheriff Toulon said. “Make this a summer to remember, not one you wish you would forget.” The Suffolk County Sheriff Office urges all residents to plan ahead of the weekend, use a designated driver or ride-sharing service, and limit alcohol intake.

“Making the decision to drink and then drive is selfish and dangerous to not only you but especially other people on the road. Suffolk County law enforcement is out there looking for you. This holiday weekend do not make the decision to get in a car while drunk or impaired by drugs or alcohol. In this day of ridesharing and constant communication, there is simply no excuse to get behind the wheel when you're under the influence. Young people need to learn this early. Drinking and driving can ruin your life and especially ruin the lives of others,” said County Executive Romaine.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s STOP DWI team, which is on pace to break an annual record of DWI-related arrests, with 116 arrests to date compared to 209 in all of 2024, will be increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints from Huntington to the Hamptons, starting July 4th weekend and continuing through the summer. The initiative will place special emphasis on outreach to young adults, who are at a heightened risk for impaired driving incidents. Young adults, ages 21 to 34, made up nearly half of all alcohol-related fatalities during last year’s July 4th Holiday. The Suffolk County Sheriff Office aims to empower young people to make smart decisions through education, social media campaigns and strong enforcement.

Sheriff Toulon was joined by Emily Cordano, a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office intern and close friend of Andrew McMorris, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver while hiking with his Boy Scout Troop in 2018. Emily shared her personal story and advocated for responsible decision-making among youth.

Many members of the STOP-DWI team are Drug Recognition Experts and are being requested more often by outside agencies, helping build stronger cases and improving road safety across Suffolk County.

For more information on the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.suffolksheriff.com