Richard Essex/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - Drinking and driving may land you on-air at a local radio station. Radio Now 93.1, an Emmis owned radio station, is now airing the names of drunk drivers arrested over the weekend. The list is read on Mondays by two DJs who were also arrested for driving under the influence.
Marc Orem, who is known as "Marco" on the air, is one third of 93.1's morning show called the Morning Mess. In January he was arrested in Hamilton County for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
"It was an arrest for a DUI or OWI like they say here. That's what it was," he explained.
And he isn't the only one. Four years earlier another member of the Morning Mess was arrested for driving under the influence. This was before his radio career started.
He is known to station listeners as "Super Phat Mikey." "I was down visiting my brother and I was a moron. And I drove under the influence about a little over four years ago, I think."
This week, the Morning Mess started reading the names of some of the people arrested for DWI in Marion County. "Marco" says they read five or six of the 50 names.
The idea according to the Morning Mess threesome is increased exposure to the issue. Their listeners tend to be younger, teenagers to young adults.
"And obviously the people that listen to our radio station are in a demographic of sorts that go and they like to have a good time on the weekends," said Morning Mess personality Shannon.
Both "Marco" and "Super Phat Mickey" talked openly about their arrests, which according to them, is considered positive.
"It's a mistake I made," said 'Mikey,' "and we don't leave anything, you know, we kinda tell everyone you know our life is an open book you know. What ever happens to us, the listeners know about it."
But it could have a double edge to it, according to Officer Lance Rector with the Indianapolis Metro Police.
"Unfortunately in today's society," said Rector, "there are people out there that will see that and glorify because it this person in a public spotlight."
Radio Now says they will read the names of people arrested for DUI over the weekend every Monday morning. Metro Police say they expect to arrest more than 1000 people this year for DUI.
"Marco's" DUI is still in the court system. He is expected in court next month.
