SDUT: Mayor Art Madrid's incident is under scrutiny
Posted by: Mighty Thor | 02/26/2008 8:49 AM
A follow-up to Hugh Akston's post and in today's Union-Tribune...Mayor's incident is under scrutiny
Madrid was given ride home by cops
By Liz Neely and Mark Arner, Union- Tribune
La Mesa City Council members are calling for a public discussion after police found Mayor Art Madrid lying on the sidewalk near his SUV and a city employee in the driver's seat - both apparently intoxicated - about a block from Madrid's home.
Neither was cited. Instead police gave the pair a ride to Madrid's house.
La Mesa police went to Madrid's Eastridge neighborhood about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a 911 call. The officers found the mayor near the passenger side of his white Ford Explorer. Finance department employee Trisha Turner was in the driver's seat, her feet pointed out the open door.
Madrid and Turner appeared intoxicated, the responding officers told Police Chief Alan Lanning. They had vomited around the SUV, which was legally parked on Chicago Drive near Denver Drive.
Neither was given a sobriety test. Officers Dan Herrin and Jacob Whisler drove them to Madrid's Eastridge Drive home, unlocked his front door with his keys and left.
Yesterday, Madrid defended himself and the police.
"I've done what I am supposed to as far as I'm concerned," Madrid said. "I went ahead and made the appropriate apologies."
Turner could not be reached for comment.
Lanning said the officers used their discretion and followed the law.
Still, three of the city's five council members - Ernie Ewin, Dave Allan and Ruth Sterling - called for a public discussion of the events.
"The unfortunate thing is it's put the integrity of the Police Department in question," Ewin said.
Councilman Mark Arapostathis said the issue is a personal matter.
"Police said the mayor was not treated differently than any other citizen," Arapostathis said. "I trust our chief of police."
Madrid said "people don't know the circumstances," but declined to elaborate. When asked about perceptions of special treatment, Madrid said the police "were extremely professional and they were extremely above board."
A Channel 10 News story said Madrid had admitted to drinking with friends Wednesday night while commiserating the 19-year anniversary of his son's death from cancer.
Madrid said on video: "I sat on the curb and I got sick and I was humiliated and embarrassed."
Lanning said the officers involved didn't know they were dealing with the mayor until they saw his identification. They realized then they were about a block from his home.
"The mayor didn't answer questions directly, apparently because he was intoxicated," Lanning said. "He said several times he was very sorry and he was very embarrassed."
The officers drove "the two parties home and said they've done that in similar circumstances," Lanning said. "In the same situation, had it been anyone else, they said they would have done the same thing."
Lanning called City Manager Sandy Kerl Wednesday night. She talked to Madrid and the other council members Thursday.
"Based on what I've been told, the appropriate police procedures have been followed," she said.
Pat Hodgkin, executive director of MADD San Diego County, said police are generally tough on drunken driving.
"Did this guy get special treatment? I certainly can't say," she said. "But, if somebody is intoxicated and (police) didn't see them driving, they don't have any proof, so they can't cite them for DUI."
Madrid won a council seat in 1981 and was elected mayor in 1990. He was re-elected in 2006, when he was challenged by downtown bookstore owner Craig Maxwell and former city treasurer Jim Stieringer.
Maxwell, one of Madrid's critics, told The San Diego Union-Tribune about the incident but declined to say where he got the information.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. today at City Hall, 8130 Allison Ave. Although the matter can't be formally discussed because it is not on the agenda, it is expected to come up in the public comment portion.
Sterling, a longtime foe of Madrid, said she wonders whether the incident would have been handled the same if the mayor weren't involved.
"Why should he be treated any differently than anybody else?" Sterling asked.
Allan said it's important to have an open discussion. "I don't want to draw any conclusions until I hear the whole story," he said.
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Madrid and Turner were driving under the influence. The San Diego Union Tribune posted the 911 call. The caller states, "car was running", and "they pulled up about ten minutes ago". Had the officers conducted the field sobriety test, the officers had sufficient grounds for misdemeanor/felony DUI arrests. I want to know what the officers did between the time they got Madrid's license and drove him home. Did they call La Mesa Police Chief Alan Lanning who directed his officers to give Madrid special treatment by not arresting? The officers and Lanning should protect the public and not the Mayor. Does anyone know if Art's excuse for getting drunk is factual or another cover-up like his comment, "I've done what I am supposed to as far as I'm concerned”? Madrid said, “I went ahead and made the appropriate apologies." I would like to see Madrid confess to a felony DUI or at least being an accomplice.
Also, Councilman Mark Arapostathis is more interested in politics than public safety. “Police said the mayor was not treated differently than any other citizen,” Arapostathis said. “I trust our chief of police.” Madrid and Turner were engaged in a DUI, and the Councilman supports police inaction and cover-up. Will District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis engage in this cover-up too?
Great points Law over Politics......
Of course they got special treatment. First of all, you do not have to be driving a car in order to be charged with a DUI. All you have to do is have possession of the keys and be sitting in the driver's seat. Many people have been convicted of DUI's even though they were not actually driving. Just ask a beat cop.
And anyone who has been drunk in La Mesa in the past and gotten a ride home from the police because you were too drunk, please post a note here.
NOTE: Mr. Madrid you can post for other incidents other than the one in this report.
So the real story that seems to be missing is that if you are partying in La Mesa and have had too much to drink then just call the La Mesa Police Department for a lift home because Madrid did not receive any special treatment so they must do that for everyone.
This along with the Chris Tanner incident. That is two significant mess ups by an elected official. Has mayor Madrid done a good enough job as Mayor of La Mesa to warrent forgiveness here by the citizens of La Mesa as well as the party he belongs to?
I am not a citizen of La Mesa, but I believe the actions of one politician reflects on all elected officials.
Chris Reed says Art's got some 'splainin to do:
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/afb/archives/020137.html
Congrats, Mayor. You've made it to the big time... http://www.drudgereport.com
To answer "Remember Chris Tanner" post.
YES! Mayor Madrid and the LMPD has done a terrific job through the years.
Mayor Madrid has 'splained enough.
It's unfortunate that LMPD did not cite and arrest the driver of the vehicle for DUI. As the previous blog said, you only need be in the drivers seat. As far as actions of the elected official are concerned, a charge of public drunkeness should have been filed. I believe LMPD officers are outstanding men and women protecting our City. The blame for protecting identitys and playing favorites should be put on the police chief,not the beat officers. With the mayors picture plastered all over every public building in the city and the PD running the plate of the vehicle, Im sure they knew who they were dealing with after arrival. Of course, anyone who has been, or are police officers (ANY CITY EMPLOYEE) would not want to risk your future promotional opportunitys and/or careers by doing the right thing, charging an elected official and his 'friend' with DUI/drunkeness.
The big question also, what about ethics, morals, etc. Employees should not socialize with elected officials in this manner and Im sure this young lady will have to leave the City, just to save face, or maybe she will file a harrassment suite against the city. This behavior should not be tolerated, it stinks of favortism. This is Un-Ethical Behavior AND unprofessional conduct. Swift action should be taken and apply to the elected official and department heads. FYI...PD typically does not take you home if you are drunk and sitting in the driver seat, or only 1 block from home. I'm sure many people wish they could have this courtesy/special treatment afforded to them when they over-indulge, regardless of the reason for doing so.
This is not why I pay my taxes and live in the City. Surely, more money and time will be wasted with Council meetings, other employees investigating the issue and of course, the City will probably have to hire an outside consultant for six figures to provide a solution for the problem. Thanks Mayor, the citizens in my neighborhood and I appreciate it. There is no excuse and your previous good deeds are not the issue here, so that has nothing to do with you breaking the law.
The mayor was drunk in public. If it is one of us, we would have been given the sobriety test, and would be taken to jail. The law is the law, I don't care who you are.
Earlier this year, Carla Bruni shared a stage with the Queen. In a fortnight, the French First Lady will trade the Crown Jewels for a very different form of heavy metal, when she performs on the BBC's Later with Jools Holland show alongside hard rockers Metallica.
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Sheik
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and the only thing that has to do with this february post on Art Madrid is that you must be high too.
With all due respect to Mighty Thor's request for no name calling, I think everyone here would agree that you are an idiot.