Former City Council Candidate Charged with Drunk Driving

A local man and former Concord City Council candidate was scheduled to be in court today on a drunk driving charge after being arrested earlier this month.

Kevin M. Bloom, 54, of Wyman Street in Concord, was arrested at 12:54 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2015, on a driving while intoxicated charge.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

According to an arrest report, an officer watching for stop sign violations at Rumford and Walker streets reportedly saw a blue Scion driving south on Rumford Street not come to a stop at the stop sign.

The officer reportedly attempted to make a traffic stop but the vehicle kept driving, took a right onto Wyman and then, drove into a driveway. The driver, later identified as Bloom, then reportedly shut the engine off.

“It appeared he did not know that I was behind him with my lights activated,” the officer alleged.

Bloom got out of the car, according to the report, and started walking to the back of the car and the officer alleged that he was “swaying back and forth” and “used his car for stability upon getting out of the driver’s seat.” The officer got out of the cruiser and approached Bloom.

“Bloom just stared at me and said nothing,” the officer alleged. “I told Bloom that I was behind him with my emergency lights on Rumford St. Bloom claimed he did not see me until he got out of his car in the driveway.”

When asked for his license and registration, Bloom allegedly stared at the officer again and said nothing. When asked again, Bloom allegedly stated, “But I’m home.”

The officer reportedly stated that it didn’t matter, he needed to see his license and registration, and Bloom allegedly took a few steps toward his house. The officer then cut him off, stating he was not free to leave.

“But I’m home,” Bloom allegedly stated again.

Bloom reportedly denied driving through the stop sign and allegedly was slurring his speech and had bloodshot, watery eyes. He was again requested to produce his license and registration or be arrested, according to the officer. Bloom allegedly stared at the officer and said nothing again.

Bloom allegedly reached for his left pocket and the officer grabbed his arm for his own safety, according to the report, and requested that he keep his hands out of his pockets. A second officer showed up as Bloom reportedly wouldn’t answer whether or not his license was in that pocket. On the second statement, he reportedly did. The vehicle’s registration was in the car but it was locked. Bloom allegedly stated that he didn’t have his keys and surmised that he locked them in the car.

When asked where he was coming from, Bloom reportedly stated Area 23, a nanobrewery he co-owns on North State Street. He allegedly denied having anything to drink. When the officer stated that he could smell alcohol coming from him and he was swaying back and forth, he allegedly denied drinking. Bloom was then arrested.

During a search, the officer allegedly found his car keys in his pocket.

Bloom was due in court for an arraignment earlier today, according to the arrest report.

In 2013, Bloom was one of a number of candidates who ran for Concord City Council seats after the council approved a grant to purchase a Lenco BearCat armored vehicle. He ran for the Ward 4 seat and placed second with 51 votes.