Public Drunkeness Goes, Well, Public
Neighborhood activist posts names of people arrested on Web site
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 | Updated 11:18 AM CST
Aurora once had a murder rate three times the national average, but not now.
A Dallas neighborhood activist has posted the names of people who have been arrested on suspicion of public intoxication on the Internet.
Avi Adelman said he posted the list of arrests in his Lower Greenville neighborhood in hopes of embarrassing people into better behavior.
"This year, the magic number is 942 names on the list," he said. "Some are repeat offenders."
Dallas police said they arrest dozens of people every weekend on Lower Greenville on suspicion of public intoxication.
Because the arrests are misdemeanors, most of them have gone unnoticed -- until now.
But Zachary Crockett said he isn't happy his name is on the list.
"I feel that I am getting labeled as a local drunk," he said.
Crockett was arrested while partying on Lower Greenville last year.
"I had to go to the drunk tank," he said. "It was one of the longest days of my life."
Crockett managed to keep his public-intoxication arrest private until his name was posted on Adelman's Web site.
Crockett, a Dallas hair stylist, said now he fears it will also cost him clients. The arrest already has cost him several hundred dollars, he said.
Dallas police say Adelman has every right to post the names on his Web site, because they are public record.
While the list may be driving traffic to Adelman's Web site, he said he ultimately hopes it drives drunks out of his neighborhood.
"This is ridiculous," he said. "It's getting out of hand."
Click here to see the list at barkingdogs.org.
Posted Friday, Jul 17, 2009 - 2:22 AM CST
