Simi Valley Police Pursuit Policy

Re “Suit Challenges Simi’s Police Pursuit Policy,” March 19.

I feel unsafe living in the county’s “safest” city when police officers risk innocent lives to stop a 14-year-old boy driving with no headlights. Someone in the city government needs to explain why this justified police running red lights while chasing a car on Los Angeles Avenue at 110 mph, resulting in permanent brain damage to an innocent young resident.

Perhaps the Police Department should enforce its own policy that “mandates that the officers weigh the gravity of the offense against the potential dangers of pursuing, considering factors such as traffic, weather and time of day.”

STEPHEN BOSWORTH

Simi Valley

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The Simi Valley police officers involved in this pursuit made a big mistake. Chasing a driver at racetrack speeds of more than 100 mph on city streets for not having his headlights on is an example of the use of deadly force when better alternatives exist.

The fact that Police Chief Randy Adams thinks the pursuit guidelines are good ones really concerns me. If the officers did in fact follow procedure, as he states, then the guidelines are flawed.

Officer arguments that more criminals will be on the streets if suspects can flee without being chased have no merit. No one is asking for a no-chase policy, just a responsible one. Certainly, criminals need to be apprehended. Let’s avoid injuring or killing innocent people in the process by having responsible, well-thought-out pursuit policies.

It doesn’t require much thought to realize that 100-plus mph on city streets is too risky. Poor Shelley Padalecki’s life has been ruined because some jerk didn’t have his lights on, and some police officer lacked common sense. Was it worth destroying her life? I don’t think so. Whose loved one will be next? Yours, perhaps? It could happen. Let’s put an end to this nonsense.

DOUG BRAGG

Simi Valley