Traffic Enforcement Initiative

WINDHAM AND SUNAPEE, New Hampshire - The New Hampshire State Police Special Enforcement Unit utilized the State Police Aircraft on Monday, September 4, 2023, to conducted two traffic enforcement initiatives in different parts of the State.  These efforts concentrated on reducing speed and other hazardous driving behavior on Interstate 93 in the town of Windham as well as on Interstate 89 in the town of Sunapee. 

During the operations, Troopers stopped a total of 110 violations, including 1 individual for driving while intoxicated, 41 operators for traveling over 90 MPH, 4 operators for traveling over 100 MPH and several other motor vehicle violations to include following too closely, hands free violations as well as move over law violations.

At approximately 3:29 p.m., Sergeant Jay LaPointe of the Special Enforcement Unit was in the aircraft monitoring traffic on Interstate 89 southbound in the town of Sunapee when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed as it was passing other vehicles.  The speed of this vehicle was measured to be 95 MPH.  Sergeant LaPointe relayed this information to Trooper Samuel Provenza who stopped the vehicle.  After making contact with the operator, Trooper Provenza observed indicators of impairment and subsequently arrested the subject for driving while intoxicated.  The subject was identified as:

Peter H. Dempsey
Age: 44
Blacksburg, VA

Dempsey is scheduled to appear in the 5th Circuit District Division Newport Court on October 10, 2023, to answer to the charges.

At approximately 4:13 p.m., Sergeant Jay LaPointe of the Special Enforcement Unit was again monitoring traffic from the State Police aircraft on Interstate 89 southbound in the town of Sunapee when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a very high rate of speed.  Sergeant LaPointe measured the speed of this motorcycle to be 133 MPH.  Sergeant LaPointe then relayed this information to Troopers on the ground and the motorcycle was stopped by Trooper First Class Christopher Ball.  The operator was identified as:

Joshua Sifferman
Age: 29
Webster, NH

Sifferman was arrested and charged with Reckless Driving and is scheduled to appear in the 5th Circuit District Division Newport Court on October 10, 2023, to answer to the charge.

These operations were conducted in response to the increasing number of traffic violations and crashes on New Hampshire highways. The use of state police aircraft allowed troopers to effectively monitor and enforce traffic laws from above, resulting in a significant reduction in reckless driving and other dangerous behaviors.

The New Hampshire State Police Special Enforcement Unit is a specialized unit that focuses on enforcing traffic laws, promoting highway safety, and reducing the number of crashes on New Hampshire highways. The unit is equipped with the latest technology and tools to effectively monitor and enforce traffic laws, including state police aircraft.  The unit will continue to conduct similar operations throughout the State to ensure the safety of all citizens on New Hampshire highways.