Seeking Justice for DWI Victims
By Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Over the course of the past seven-and-a-half years, New York City
has been committed to a zero-tolerance policy toward drunk drivers.
We know that the senseless tragedies caused by these motorists are
preventable, and that is why the New York City Police Department enforces
the toughest drunk-driving penalties in the nation.
But last week our City was horrified by the killing of four members
of a family, apparently at the hands of a police officer who was driving
while intoxicated. I know that all New Yorkers reach out and extend
their prayers to the Herrera and Peña families, as we have
faith that justice will be served. We can only hope that this tragic
event causes others to think before they get behind the wheel after
having a drink.
In February 1999, the NYPD instituted the DWI Vehicle Forfeiture
Initiative, aimed at seizing the vehicles of those who had made the
life-threatening decision to drive while intoxicated. Since the inception
of this program, nearly 12,000 intoxicated or impaired drivers have
been taken off of our streets and arrested. At the same time, over
4,000 vehicles have been seized in an effort to deter drunk driving.
This year, DWI arrests are up nearly 9% over the same period last
year, indicating that our police officers have become even stricter
in enforcing our zero-tolerance drunk driving laws.
While I commend the Police Department for making this program such
a success, I am deeply disturbed by the actions of those officers
involved in the events leading up to the fatal accident in Sunset
Park. Their conduct is not consistent with the high standards that
a New York City Police Officer must uphold, both on and off-duty.
That is why Commissioner Kerik acted swiftly to fire, suspend, or
transfer these men, depending on the degree of their involvement in
the incident.
The NYPD is treating this as a very serious matter. The investigation
has been intense, and has been aided by large numbers of police officers
coming forward with information that will help determine why this
terrible accident occurred and how it can be prevented from happening
again. It is a testament to the professionalism of our police officers
that they are investigating their colleagues every bit as aggressively
and fully as they would anyone else who is suspected of such a crime.
As we continue to pray for the Herrera and Peña families,
we should also keep faith in our police officers and our justice system.
We must believe that their investigations and decisions will yield
justice for the victims, while punishing those who are responsible
for this tragic loss of life. Each of us can pay tribute to the victims
by never getting behind the wheel after having a drink, and by discouraging
those who would do so.
