Newly obtained video from a police dashboard camera shows a South Jersey mayor being arrested for driving under the influence and asking officers to call that town's mayor about the detainment.
Paulsboro Mayor W. Jeffrey Hamilton was pulled over along Paulsboro Road in Woolwich Township, New Jersey around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2014, police said. An officer began pursing him after another driver called 911 about a person driving erratically and blowing a red light, according to the police report.
In the 24-minute video provided to NBC10 after an open records request, Hamilton identified himself as Paulsboro's mayor and told officers he was heading home from his brother's house in Woolwich Township.
According to police, Hamilton smelled like alcohol, had slurred speech, experienced trouble finding his driver's license and car registration and failed three field sobriety tests before being taken into custody.
Hamilton, who works part-time as mayor, tells officers to call their town's mayor, Sam Maccrone.
"Call the mayor," he said. "We're buddies together."
Officers instead placed Hamilton under arrest and took him back to their station. His 2006 silver Chrysler 300 was towed.
There, police said he failed to properly provide a breathalyzer test. He was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving and related offenses.
NBC10 made multiple attempts to contact Hamilton at his home and Paulsboro town hall, but have been unsuccessful.
