Councilmember facing DUI charges
Glendale police allegedly spot Alarcón driving erratically
PALMDALE — Palmdale City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Alarcón was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Glendale early Friday morning, Glendale Police Department officials confirmed Monday.
According to the police statement, Alarcón, 44, was stopped by officers in downtown Glendale at approximately 3 a.m. when she was seen driving erratically, making wide turns into opposing lanes.
During the traffic stop, officers “observed objective signs of alcohol intoxication,” according to the statement.
This led to a driving under the influence investigation, in which officers determined she was driving under the influence of alcohol. Alarcón was then arrested and booked at the Glendale City Jail.
“Residents of Palmdale have raised concerns to our City Council regarding the reports of Councilwoman Alarcón’s alleged legal matters,” Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt said in a statement. “The City of Palmdale acknowledges the seriousness of these alleged incidents, and the City Council will discuss this matter at its next meeting. We anticipate investigating these allegations and evaluating the applicability of the city’s code of conduct to provide guidance for our response. If these allegations prove true, I strongly condemn this behavior, and it is unacceptable for any member of our City Council or staff.”
Alarcón could not be reached for comment Monday.
Alarcón has served as Palmdale’s mayor pro tem for the past year. The mayor and mayor pro tem positions rotate among council members; council members Austin Bishop and Richard Loa will assume the duties of mayor and mayor pro tem, respectively, in January.
The City Council on Nov. 16 adopted a code of conduct for its members. It states that “the professional and personal conduct of public officials must be above reproach and avoid even the appearance of impropriety.”
In regards to the code’s substance abuse policy, it states that public officials must refrain from
consuming alcohol in their official capacity, but does not make any such requirement for when off duty.
The substance abuse policy does encourage public officials struggling with substance abuse issues to “make every effort to overcome such problems and to utilize the services of the Employee Assistance Program.”