Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow arrested for DUI (Update)
Police say she admitted to having a few drinks, but refused a sobriety test
- Atlanta Department of Corrections
- APD pulled over Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow, above in mugshot, after they say she committed multiple traffic violations
Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow was arrested late last night in southwest Atlanta and faces several charges, including driving under the influence.
Atlanta Police noticed Winslow's gray Honda Accord make several traffic violations near the intersection of Oglethorpe and Peeples streets last night around 11 p.m. in the West End. During the traffic stop, according to police, the officer "noticed that the driver showed signs of impairment." Police say the longtime councilwoman admitted that she had imbibed a few drinks. She was arrested for DUI Less Safe after declining to take a field sobriety test.
In addition to the DUI, Winslow also faces charges of driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to stop for a stop sign, reckless driving, and a red-light violation. We'll post an update if we learn additional details regarding her arrest.
Winslow declined to talk about the arrest when reached by CL this morning but said she might comment later.
Winslow has represented Castleberry Hill, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, West End, and other southwest Atlanta neighborhoods on City Council over the past two decades. She's up for re-election this November and will face challenger Torry Lewis and other possible candidates.
UPDATE, 10:27 a.m.: While Winslow has yet to comment, Lewis didn't hesitate to respond to the councilwoman's arrest. In a statement, he said:
I am deeply disappointed in our current councilwoman and her actions, but this further echoes the need for new leadership...a councilperson must be able to make sound judgments for the community's sake and that starts with making good personal judgments.
UPDATE, 6:35 p.m.: According to a police report, Winslow's arrest happened less than two blocks from her West End home. Winslow reportedly had a slow reaction time and had "glassy eyes." After APD officer Meegan Schimmel noticed a strong alcoholic odor, the councilwoman admitted she had spent "a good hour" at Elliott Street Pub, where she had "two dirty martinis."
"I asked her what she did for the city and she stated she was district four," Schimmel wrote. "I asked her if she was a council member and she stated yes."
After denying a sobriety test, Winslow was arrested and taken to prison. The councilwoman was later released on a $3,355 bond.