New Rochelle Police had a sobriety checkpoint set up last night on Garden Street between North Avenue and the Exit 16 on/off ramp, a location ideally situation to insure a steady flow of expired inspection stickers, panicky drivers and a fair share of drinking drivers, several of whom were arrested and removed from the scene. Safeway Towing was doing steady business taking away cars and the occasional motorcycle, two at a time. Sergeant Myron Joseph led a team officers who kept the line moving but patiently checked each car as they made their way through choke points situation to catch unwary drivers off guard as they either pulled off I-95 North at Exit 16 or made the right onto North Avenue coming from downtown New Rochelle.
On man was given an extensive series of sobriety tests which would have been difficult for the most sober teetotaler after Sunday church services. He flunked, was handcuffed and put into the back of an NRPD cruiser.
Two motorcyclists pulled off I-95. The first one stopped at the sight of the police cars but the second, with a passenger, pulled a U-Turn and fled. Sergeant Joseph ran to the nearest NRPD police car and nabbed the pair a short time later. Meanwhile, there erstwhile motorcycle buddy was questioned and then arrested. No sobriety tests were given so either he refused to blow or he had other “issues” when they called in his ID to central.
One gentleman pulled up in a car that had smoke pouring out of the passenger side doors and the wheel-wells. He was asked to step out of the vehicle but he must have known he was in trouble because he stood at attention with his hands behind his back as soon as the questions began. He repeatedly struggled to blow into the breathalyzer properly. Exasperated, the officer questioning him said “what part of one continuous blow do you not understand”. Sergeant Joseph warned the man that if he refused to follow directions he would be arrested immediately. Then man blew and blew until finally he registered. The officer examined the meter and promptly handcuffed the man with the smoking car. Sometimes you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
By 1:30 PM the traffic had begun to ebb but operations continued well into the early morning hours.
NIce Job NRPD
Without TOS we would not have known about this initiative, unless you were driving through. The message should be clear to all, if you going to drink and drive, better not come to New Rochelle. Thank you for ensuring the welfare and safety of our town.
Truly a blessing for all
Truly a blessing for all ages. Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains.
Roberta the Postperson