Four Morristown police officers were honored Tuesday for aggressive enforcement of drunk-driving laws. Their work may be cut out for them in the months ahead.
Between 1,300 and 1,500 people visit the town’s bars on busy nights, and that number may approach 2,000 when the Iron Bar opens on South Street, said Police Chief Pete Demnitz.
“We do six cops on any given night handling 2,000 people that are emptying out of our bars, plus handling all those other calls we receive,” the chief told the town council.
Officers Anthony O’Brien (39 driving-under-the-influence arrests in 2010), Joseph Heuneman (39 D.U.I. arrests) and Adam Khoudja (20 D.U.I. arrests) were honored, along with their supervisor, Sgt. Matt Edwards, by Mothers Against Drunk Driving New Jersey.
The 39 arrests were tops in Morris County.
“With every arrest you have not just removed a driver under the influence off the road. You have saved countless lives and those who love them. You are a crucial link in the prevention of more victims of this totally preventable and senseless crime,” said M.A.D.D. volunteer Patricia Scrudato-Tsibros.
She described Officer Khoudja’s number as particularly impressive, as he only works part-time because of military duty.
The audience rose to applaud the officers, who received distinguished service awards from M.A.D.D.
