NORWICH – With the holiday season quickly approaching, law enforcement agencies in the Norwich area will be out in full force to detect motorists who are driving while intoxicated; this year, with additional New York State grant funding to help in the effort.

Chenango County STOP DWI (Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated) recently announced procurement of New York State grant funding for law enforcement high visibility road checks and saturation patrols in the Norwich area. This grant comes by way of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Traffic Safety Committee. According to Chenango County STOP DWI Coordinator Kathryn Clemens, the extra boost of funding will help reimburse the Norwich Police Department and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for additional police patrols during major holiday travel times.

“Chenango County will receive in excess of $13,000 for joint law enforcement efforts to detect drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs,” said Clemens, adding that this little bit of grant funding - a first for Chenango County - will go a long way in combating the perils of driving under the influence. “Drunk drivers and drug impaired drivers are a serious problem in Chenango County.”