Q: I listen to the police scanner almost daily, mostly out of Davenport Police Department, and several times now I have heard them broadcast people’s Social Security numbers over the air, obviously to verify an identity. I thought your Social Security number was only for use by the Internal Revenue Service and not to be used for identification purposes. This is being broadcast over the air for anybody to hear and steal if they choose to do so. Why is this occurring?

— Larry, Davenport

A: Jennifer Nahra, a spokeswoman for the city of Davenport, said the Davenport Police Department administration assured her they are aware of your concerns, Larry. She said that while it is not a departmental practice, there are occasions and circumstances where an officer will encounter an individual who does not have identification. In that case, other information, such as past addresses or Social Security numbers, can assist with substantiating an identity.

“Know that in cases such as this, officers will attempt to use other communication devices to confirm identity information, including in-car computers and telephones, before conveying the information over the radio,” Nahra said. “The Davenport Police Department is aware that it is under continual monitoring by the community and works to ensure the privacy of all.”

Q: Why do students in the crowd at University of Iowa football games often hold up their shoes during kickoff? I didn’t go to Iowa and was curious about this.

— Francie, West Branch, Iowa

A: Phil Haddy, who works in the Sports Information Office at the University of Iowa, said a few students began the ritual a few years ago and it spread to other students. He said he’s not sure how it started. Do any readers know?

Q: We were delighted when the construction cones came down on the seemingly endless work on Interstate 74. However, we are shocked at how different the surface is in Illinois compared to Iowa. Will there be more work done on the Illinois side to make it as smooth and even as the Iowa side?

— Jackie, Coal Valley, Ill.

A: The Illinois section of Interstate 74 has not been finished, said John Wegmeyer of the Illinois Department of Transportation. “The final surface layer will be completed next summer when temperatures are favorable so a good, long-lasting pavement can be placed. Temporary ramps were constructed at all the bridges for the winter.”

Wegmeyer said the original plan was to finish all Interstate 74 work in Illinois this past summer. “Because of the emergency closure of the Interstate 80 bridge, work on eastbound Interstate 74 was delayed until August to avoid lane closures that could increase congestion at the Interstate 74 bridge. Weather conditions did not permit completion of the resurfacing on the eastbound bridges this fall. All westbound bridges are finished.”

He said next summer the only lane closures on westbound Interstate 74 in Illinois will be for a week or two to place the surface. In addition to the resurfacing, eastbound Interstate 74 also will have some lane closures from mid-July until late October to repair the eastbound bridges.