Data shows increase in DWI arrests in parts of Hudson Valley; police say it could be tied to increased enforcement
Officials with several departments told News 12 they believe it's the increased enforcement and patrols that's driving arrest numbers.
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New numbers show a rise in DWI arrests around parts of the Hudson Valley and New York. However, officials say there's more to that data.
"Just don't do it," said Road Patrol Capt. Harry Tompkins, who is with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Capt. Tompkins is talking about driving drunk or impaired.
Over the last couple of months, they have seen an increase in DWI arrests.
This past July, those numbers nearly doubled from 13 arrests during July of 2025 to 25 this year.
This department isn't alone with numbers like those. Some others around Westchester County and New York are also seeing an increase.
"We don't really know whether that's because of the actions of our deputies, with their increased enforcement out there or whether it's just more impaired drivers," said Capt. Tompkins.
Officials with several departments told News 12 they believe it is the increased enforcement and patrols that's driving arrest numbers. They say they have dedicated teams focused on this very issue.
For Larchmont mother Carole Sears, this all touches very close to home.
"My husband and I were in a crash with a drunk driver. Andy was killed and I was very badly injured," Sears told News 12.
She lost her husband, Andy, 23 years ago.
Since, she has been fighting to put an end to tragedies like this one, through her work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
"We are working to stop drunk driving in every possible way including getting laws changed," said Sears.
Police say they hope these increased patrols will continue to do just that and catch these drivers. That includes during this upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.
