A suburban Illinois police department announced this week that it plans to tweet the names of people arrested for drinking and driving.
The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that the police department in Riverside, Ill. created a Twitter account, @pdriverside, six weeks ago. Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel told the newspaper that his officers will tweet the names, ages, and towns of residence for drinking and driving offenders after they either post bond or make a court appearance. Drivers who are charged with illegal drug use will also have their names tweeted.
“I’m hoping that seeing these names, and seeing the amount of arrests that Riverside makes, will send a message,” Weitzel said.
Weitzel said his department would not be releasing any information that is not already made public under public information laws.