More DWI Arrests Under La.’s New Police Chief

Thibodaux Police have already made 100 drunk-driving arrests this year, four times the number posted in all of 2010.

Thibodaux’s new Police Chief Scott Silverii tells The Daily Comet of Thibodaux that the increase results from finding problem areas and recognizing that intoxicated drivers don’t just drive between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Thibodaux officers made 27 Driving While Intoxicated arrests last year. The total for 2011, as of early last week was 108.

Silverii says the department’s program known as “Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety” is a big reason for the increase.

Police use the program to keep track of areas where the most crimes and car crashes occur.

Drivers in the 17-25 age range accounted for 36 of this year’s Driving While Intoxicated arrests in Thibodaux. Those ages 26-35 account for 34 DWI arrests; 36-45, 14 arrests; drivers age 46 and older, 24.

Silverii, who became police chief in January, also says he trained officers in giving field-sobriety tests.