'Department Of The Year': VMPD Earns 3 Awards For Anti-DWI Efforts

VILLAGE OF MAMARONECK, NY — A police department's efforts to tackle a potentially deadly nationwide problem has earned recognition from a foundation at the center of New York's efforts to save lives.

The Village of Mamaroneck Police Department, along with two members of the department, received awards from the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation, Inc. on Tuesday. The awards were given for promoting DWI prevention as a public priority and developing new and innovative approaches for dealing with drinking and/or drug-impaired drivers.

The Village of Mamaroneck Police Department was the recipient of the Department of the Year Award. Sergeant Andrew Benkwitt Jr. received the Recognition of Excellence - Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Enforcement Award, and Police Officer Anthony Fraioli Jr. received the Recognition of Excellence - Individual Award.

Chief DiRuzza (on behalf of the department), Sgt. Benkwitt., and P.O. Fraioli accepted the awards at the 2023 New York State Law Enforcement STOP-DWI Recognition event at the Albany Capital Center. The annual event recognizes individuals and departments for their efforts to eliminate drunk driving and impaired driving in NYS.

"We are thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts in keeping people safe on our roadways," Sandra DiRuzza, Chief of the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department, said. "We are committed to preventing the senseless loss of life by people who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol."

As the designated public charity of the state's STOP-DWI ("Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Impaired"), the DWI program aims to reduce the number of people killed or injured in alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes, promote DWI prevention as a public priority, and coordinate local efforts in law enforcement, prosecution, probation, rehabilitation, public information, education, and administration.

For more information, visit the STOP-DWI website.