It has been six days since Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann was arrested for DUI, and she has not responded to repeated attempts to contact her at home, work or by phone. Now, residents are calling for her resignation.
Over the weekend, the Naples Police Department posted a message on Facebook reminding people to "drive sober or get pulled over." The post's comment section was heated, with many demanding that Mayor Heitmann step down.
Heitmann was arrested last Wednesday night after a couple called 911, reporting that she had followed them to their home on 16th Street South. The caller said, "I don't know if she's claiming to be the mayor, I don't know who she is [...] She's drunk and she just drove on our lawn."
The police conducted several field sobriety tests, which Heitmann failed. Her blood alcohol level was 0.169, more than twice the legal limit.
Dashcam footage from the arrest shows Heitmann telling the officer she had "one glass of wine" at dinner. The officer noted the smell of alcohol coming from her.
City Councilman Bill Kramer commented on the situation, saying, "While this is certainly a big deal, it is not the end of the world. And to be clear, this event does not define Teresa Heitmann. The Heitmanns will continue to be in my prayers as they work through this."
The next Naples City Council meeting is Wednesday morning, and it's unclear if Heitmann will attend.