DEKALB COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Police let a DeKalb County commissioner drive even though they thought he was drunk, according to a police report.
Officers saw District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson get behind the wheel even though they say he had glossy eyes and slurred speech.
The officer who wrote the report believed that Watson should have been arrested. CBS Atlanta's Tough Question is: why wasn't he?
It all began July 12, with a loud argument between Watson and two women at the Tanqueray Lounge on Glenwood Road in Decatur.
The police report stated that Watson was outside shouting profanities, claiming one of the women had stolen his wallet.
The report also states that Watson had slurred speech, an unsteady walk and glossy, red eyes.
According to the report Watson drove away after an officer told him not to leave. He came back later to ask for a ride.
CBS Atlanta knocked on the door of Watson's home, but the person on the other side would not open. The same person would not give a direct answer, only saying that the residence "may or may not be" the home of Stan Watson.
The police report, however, made it clear that even though Watson came back, the responding officer did not believe Watson was fit to drive in the first place.
The officer wrote "due to circumstances beyond my control Mr. Watson was allowed to have someone take him home and leave his vehicle parked in the parking lot of the club."
A neighbor, Yvonne Johnson, couldn't believe it when CBS Atlanta told her the news.
"That is strange. If they knew he was drinking, why let him drive?" Johnson asked. "I would have to think about if I would vote for him again because I'd want someone in office more responsible than that."
CBS Atlanta called the offices of County CEO Burrell Ellis and Public Safety Director, William Miller, to ask if Watson received special treatment. We are still waiting for a response.
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District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson
