Far too often we read in the newspapers and more likely watch on television events before during and after high speed Police pursuits around our region. But in the words of ‘Sumner-Miller’ Why is this so?
Some pursuits are indeed highly necessary but I believe many may also be as a result of the adrenalin rush involved in the chase by everyone involved police and perpetrators alike. Not one to say I told you so but in the past I have had experience with young people who thought it a great idea to steal other peoples’ property, especially cars.
In one particular case there was an enterprising teenager who was stealing cars, hiding them away and then placing notices on the police citizens and community notice boards that he knew where the vehicle had been dumped. He never damaged a car but always encourage the grateful owners to provide a $50 reward for his efforts.
In another case two young offenders openly admitted that it was not financial gain but the adrenalin rush of the police chase that they were after. In there last chase the two boys ran straight into a hefty power pole, neither wearing seat belts, the passenger was catapulted through the windscreen and now has an acquired brain injury, the driver crushed his chest on the steering wheel breaking half his ribs, breaking his spine and the steering column almost piecing his heart, they both now have lifeling disablities. life.
In this case where the vehicle was stolen the police had all reasonable cause to enter into a pursuit however there is technology available today where police vehicles almost have the ability to see what you had for breakfast, and they can do it either driving towards you or behind you. They know whether your car is legal and registered and they know if it has been stolen.
My suggestion to the powers that be would entail, where possible recognition of the cars plates and an identification of the registered owner. If it is registered and not reported stolen would it not be better to call off any pursuit and just tail them safely. In the meantime another unit could be dispatched to the owners address and stake it out until they return.
In the case where the registered owner was not directly involved, maybe their child or a friend had the vehicle, then a charge should be laid against the owner similar to aide and abet unless they can prove the vehicle was taken without their knowledge.
We believe that at least a third of dangerous pursuits could be avoided and the subsequent risk to innocent bystanders and other drivers reduced accordingly. With cars getting more sophisticated and computerised maybe some time in the future there will be a way that pursuing police will be able to remotely disable the vehicle. Does anybody else have an idea how these pursuits could be lessened or made safer with the subsequent saving of innocent lives?
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