Bystander Injuries Stemming From Police Pursuits Rise

The number of police chases and the number of resulting injuries among pedestrians increased significantly last year, according to Los Angeles police statistics.

Pursuits rose to 769 in 2001 from 597 in 2000, the figures show. Pedestrian injuries climbed to 69 in 2001, nearly double the number in 1998.

“Any time there’s injuries, there’s obviously cause for concern,” Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. George Gascon said. “This shows we need to continue to assess our [pursuit] practices to minimize injuries to the community and the officers.”

The recent figures contrast with 1995-2000 statistics compiled by the California Highway Patrol, which reported LAPD pursuits decreased 36%. Statewide, the five-year decrease was 32%, according to the CHP.

The LAPD also reported that traffic accidents during chases increased between 2000 and 2001.

Accidents involving the suspect’s vehicle climbed to 372 in 2001 from 280 the previous year, while accidents involving other vehicles jumped to 151 in 2001 from 116 in 2000.

Debate over police chases was rekindled after a driver fleeing police earlier this month struck pedestrians Anna Polivoda, 76, and her husband, Henry, 79, near the Beverly Center. They sustained broken bones and head injuries.

Tremine Tillman, 23, of Van Nuys was later arrested and charged with evading arrest and hit-and-run driving. The LAPD says the police cruiser was no longer chasing Tillman--initially noticed because of a questionable registration--when the accident occurred.

Under LAPD rules, patrol officers have the discretion to chase any driver who attempts to flee. But Gascon, who heads the group that trains recruits and officers, said a cornerstone of the policy is assessing the safety risks to bystanders and officers.

Police, he said, are supposed to weigh many variables before and during a chase. They include traffic volume, whether the area is residential or commercial and whether the driver can be identified and apprehended later.

As for any changes in policy, Gascon said the department constantly monitors pursuits and makes any necessary adjustments in training.

The number of police chases had been dropping after a 1996 report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California that highlighted increased numbers of pursuit-related crashes, injuries and deaths.

ACLU Executive Director Ramona Ripston expressed concern Friday over the rise in injuries and said the LAPD needs a more concrete policy, especially when it comes to pursuing people accused of minor traffic violations.

“If police are pursuing someone who has murdered, raped or robbed a bank, that’s one thing,” she said. “But they should not engage in these high-speed chases for minor motor vehicle violations. They’re too dangerous.”

The most recent LAPD numbers show 57% of pursuits were initiated by traffic violations, 35% by felonies and 6% by misdemeanors.

The ACLU’s 1996 report focused on whether officers should be allowed to pursue drivers and whether any offense or crime should justify a chase.

It also found that most of the LAPD’s fatal chases involved drivers wanted for violating the vehicle code, generally less serious offenses.

Some police agencies, such as the Santa Monica Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department, prohibit officers from starting a pursuit over minor traffic violations.