Nassau reveals more DWI arrests; vows weekend checks
Wall of Shame, week two.
Following last weekend's controversial anti-drunken-driving campaign -- in which news organizations were asked to publish the names and photos of people charged with driving while intoxicated -- Nassau police plan to resume and beef up the crackdown this weekend.
A new unit, the DWI Impact Team, has been created to patrol what police consider hot spots for drunken driving, Nassau Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey said Friday. Intoxicated boaters also will be targeted by the unit, he said.
Police will again provide the media with the names and photographs of anyone charged with DWI, Mulvey said.
Nassau police charged 81 people with DWI from last Friday through Monday. On Tuesday, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi asked the media to publish the names, addresses and photos of those arrested.
The request drew a mixed response from local newspapers and television stations. Newsday posted the photos on its Web site, but published only a few in the newspaper.
Suozzi spokeswoman Jennifer Kim said the county's plan is to continue releasing the personal information of people charged with driving drunk, part of an "ongoing initiative" with new photos released to the media every Monday.
The photos and personal information of 16 more who have been arrested since Monday were released Friday in an effort to get "another weekend push" in the media, Kim said.
She added that county officials were encouraged by the positive feedback they received from the public after the Memorial Day weekend program.
"I think going forward, even past this weekend, we will continue to do it," Kim said. "I imagine that we will be continuing to do this for a little while."
Posted Saturday, May 31, 2008
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