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Drivers for Clayton officials avoid fines

Cars driven for two Clayton County officials — Sheriff Victor Hill and Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell — were pulled over for speeding this month, but the drivers rolled away with warnings.

Hill's 1995 Jaguar was traveling 22 mph over the posted 45 mph limit. Hill's driver, plainclothes deputy Paco Perez, was behind the wheel when a Clayton police officer made the stop Feb. 5 on Tara Boulevard.

Bell's county-owned car was going 29 mph over the 55 mph limit. The driver was Chris Windley, Clayton's director of special services. The stop was made on Ga. 19-41 in Hampton.

Why didn't the police write tickets? It could have cost Bell's driver $315 in fines, Hill's $126.50.

Hampton police Chief Bud Smith said the officer who stopped Bell, Shannon Brady, acted out of discretionary courtesy. Brady didn't write a report and police aren't sure if the stop happened Feb. 5 or 6.

"Sometimes giving a warning does a whole lot more good than giving a citation because the whole purpose is to slow people down," Smith said. "Giving a ticket usually just makes people mad."

Bell, a back-seat passenger, said he didn't hear the conversation between the driver and the officer and declined further comment.

Hill, seated beside Perez, was on the phone and said he did not know how fast he was driving.

Hill's car also had an outdated tag for state House members. Hill was elected to represent District 81 in 2002 and served one term. He said he showed the officer a valid tag inside the car.

I could have bolded the whole damn thing.