Bystander Deaths in Police Pursuits

Police pursuits are now front-page news (Nov. 22). Media coverage over the past couple of weeks regarding the carnage that results from them has been extensive.

I have a plan for ending, or at least reducing, the number of these chases:

Enact legislation that makes recklessly evading the police in a motor vehicle a felony, with appropriate penalties that reflect the danger that evading poses to the public. (Evading is currently a misdemeanor.) Penalties should go all the way to the death sentence if an innocent death is caused.

Authorize the police to use deadly force, when doing so does not endanger innocent people, to terminate pursuits before a collision can occur.

ROBERT A. LUTZ

Rimforest