44°
HARRISON, N.Y. - Sunday's Super Bowl has residents in Harrison and beyond anxious to see the New York Giants crowned Super Bowl champions. But Harrison's police department will be on the streets to make sure locals don't take to their cars after popping too many cold ones over the course of the game.
"We have a couple of local establishments that will be hosting events, so we'll have increased patrols in those areas," Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini said. "I don't believe we will set up any specialized DWI task forces, but there is a possibility, depending on the situation."
Marraccini said that sports bars in both downtown and West Harrison will likely result in large crowds and excited Harrison football fans, and the police will be zoning in on those areas.
"We'll be focusing on the key areas for where the parties will be," Marraccini said.
That doesn't mean police won't be looking beyond bars and restaurants to find drunk drivers. Both the New York State Police and Westchester County Police are stepping up patrols on state and county roads because of the number of drunk drivers they usually encounter after the Super Bowl.The fact that it's the Giants against the hated New England Patriots only adds to the intensity surrounding the game in the metropolitan area.
There will be some increased attention to DWI on Sunday night, said Westchester County Police spokesman Kieran OLeary. Our officers are always vigilant in enforcing DWI laws and Super Bowl Sunday will be no exception.
OLeary urged those who plan on drinking during Super Bowl XLVI to do anything but drive after the game.
Whether you are celebrating on Sunday night or drowning your sorrows, make sure to take a cab or have a designated driver if you have been drinking, he said.
New York State has the same sensibilities and will be patrolling its roads with increased vigor.
Were going to have increased patrols and are going to have increased vigilance to look for people drinking and driving after the Super Bowl, said State Police Sgt. Michael Turino.
Turino said that the number of people who drive while intoxicated on Super Bowl Sunday is not a huge increase on the normal amount, but they generally are higher.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Harrison and receive free news updates.
