By Madhuri Dey
Honolulu, Nov. 26, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The Honolulu police department has released the names of fifty six people who make the list for the suspects of drunk driving charges. The list has been featured on the department’s website. The authorities said that the move is a step to decrease the number of people who get arrested on the charges of driving under the influence of some intoxicant. Besides, it also helps the police keep a tab on the people who are featured on the list. There are photos of 14 women and 38 men. Four of the names don’t have accompanying pictures.

The web-page has been mockingly named “Oahu’s Impaired Drivers”, and features the names and mugshots of those who have not yet been arrested, but are suspected of regular drunk driving. The mugshots show that while some of the suspects managed to hold a smile for the ignominious photo-shoot, others could barely keep their eyes open. Mothers For Drunk Driving, a voluntary organization, said that the effectiveness of the move is questionable, considering that there has been no evidence so far of any positive result. Some defense attorneys have also protested the putting up of the pictures for public access before the cases are solved, stating that it may cause unnecessary humiliation and prejudice for the innocent.

The police department tried to defend it’s actions by stating that they do not have any intention of tarnishing anyone’s reputation or hurting anyone’s feelings. They insisted that the pictures and the names have been uploaded on the internet as a matter of public interest and caution. All the more uproar has been caused over this issue as the list includes the names of reputed lawmakers and television stars.