Unbeknownst to many, the NOPD is required by the Louisiana Supreme Court to inform the public of upcoming DUI checkpoints. How they disperse the information is pretty passive, and I think it should be a little more active.
I had an idea this afternoon, and have built out a “twitter app” that does just this.
All people have to do is follow the account, and if they choose, have it notify them via text message of the checkpoint. It won’t have the location – just a link to the checkpoint, but with so many people having internet capable phones, I think it’ll be just fine.
I might add some sort of Facebook cross-posting, but I figure one person will then put the info there, then others will ‘like’ or whatever, so I’m leaving it out for now. So for you New Orleans twitter users, go follow @NO_dui.
Um, if you wouldn’t mind? I can think of citizens of two more states that would love this sort of app for themselves. Since you’ve built it, I’d assume just the url would change for any given community.
Well, this version is for this particular police department. I can send you the code if you want – but it’d be up to you to mod for your own PD.
Hi Will,
I work with a local New Orleans law firm and we are very interested in contacting you with regard to your Twitter application. Is there an e-mail address at which I could contact you to discuss the possibility of working with you to develop a branded application that includes the functionality of the DUI checkpoint tweets?
-Patrick R