PLATFORM : Cut Out the Chases

The police have no business chasing suspected criminals at high speeds through the streets of a community, regardless of the crime. In Orange County last month, five people were killed and one was critically injured as a result of three ill-advised high-speed pursuits. All this carnage was because of three relatively minor crimes: a traffic violation, the looting of camera equipment, a car theft.

I’ve yet to see a police officer speed through an intersection, even with sirens blaring and lights flashing. They know better. Yet too many apparently have no qualms about provoking suspects into barreling through intersections and putting innocent lives at risk, however minor the crime.

It’s time for lawmakers to give us innocent citizens and our families a break. Don’t we have enough scenarios of being at the wrong place at the wrong time to worry about--berserk gunmen randomly shooting in public places, drunk drivers, red-light runners, carjackers, muggers? Don’t put us at even greater risk. Stop these ludicrous high-speed pursuits now.