Police Pursuits: Severely Punish Drivers Who Flee

Re “L.A. Chief Proposes Ban on Majority of Police Pursuits,” Dec. 17: One of the primary ways to cut down on gang violence is to strictly enforce traffic laws in areas with an inordinate amount of violent crime. Most of the time, the violator is the average citizen who was just not paying enough attention to the law.

However, sometimes the violator is a gangbanger with a gun and is about to do a drive-by shooting. Officers don’t see many shootings occur in front of them. The only way to get these guns off the street is to use the law to make a stop and take the investigation from there. If gang members know the police can’t chase them, they’re going to flee every time they get hit by the lights. They (and their guns) will go right back home. All that will have been accomplished is a killing will be delayed.

Patrick Aluotto

Simi Valley

*

The only group of people who will benefit from a general ban on pursuits are criminals. Since I am not a mind reader, nor do I know any officers who are, I cannot tell if a person with the burned-out brake light is simply a traffic violator. I do know that if they fail to pull over, they have become more than a simple traffic violator.

I will stress again and again: The police are not responsible for the actions of those who violate the law, even if it involves pursuing a traffic violator. Change the law to acknowledge the fact that a fleeing suspect is now in command of a deadly weapon and severely punish the driver who flees. If this ban does become reality, I can assure you of one thing: Every person with bad intentions need only disconnect a brake light, commit a crime and fail to stop for an officer. By policy, the officer will be told to discontinue the pursuit and the suspects will laugh along their getaway route.

Sgt. Scott Anderson

Maywood Police Dept.

*

A state appellate court is urging lawmakers to change laws that protect police officers from liability during pursuits (Dec. 15). That’s a great idea! But why stop there? Lawmakers should also allow bars, restaurants and liquor stores to be sued for providing alcohol to potential drunk drivers. And allow car manufacturers to be sued for making cars that can go faster than the top speed limit.

Where else but in America can you be awarded millions of dollars for ruining your own lungs, spilling coffee in your lap or (potentially) eating fast food? Individual accountability no longer exists. It’s always someone else’s fault. So it doesn’t make sense to pass a law that truly punishes criminals who endanger the lives of everyone by driving 100 miles per hour to get away from the police. After all, the cops made them do it.

Ron Weber

Valencia