Pubdate: Sat, 27 Feb 1999 Source: United Press International Copyright: 1999 United Press International SUFFOLK COUNTY JOINS DWI CAR SEIZURES (YAPHANK) - Suffolk County has seized the cars of two drunken driving suspects, making use for the first time of a county ordinance on the books since 1993. Twenty-one-year-old Karl McGovern of North Babylon lost his 1991 Chevrolet late last night, and 25-year-old Christopher Klein of Selden lost his 1990 Toyota early this morning, at a checkpoint on Route 110 in Huntington Station. Both drivers lost their cars because they had been convicted of driving while impaired within the last five years. Unlike New York City and Nassau County, Suffolk County's local law says first time offenders will not have their vehicles seized. Twenty-three New York City drivers and roughly 21 Nassau County drivers have lost their cars under the general forfeiture rules of the local administrative codes. These laws make no specific mention of drunken drivers, but the vehicles are being seized on the premise they were used in the commission of a crime. GANG CRACKDOWN IN STATEN ISLAND (NEW YORK) - The New York Police Department has arrested 21 alleged members of the Bloods street gang in Staten Island. Police seized one- point-five pounds of crack cocaine, three-point-five pounds of marijuana, numerous weapons, three vehicles and 45-thousand dollars in cash on Thursday and Friday. The suspects range in age from 17 to 66, and include men and women, and whites, Hispanics and blacks. Five suspects were charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 11 were charged with possession, and five face weapons and drug charges. Police say they are uncertain about the gang affiliations of all the suspects. - --- MAP posted-by: Rich O'Grady