Recently, a report was issued that stated that police in the Los Angeles area were in less police chases, and as a result, there were less accidents caused because of police chases. Apparently, the police have a new policy that states that a chase can not be initiated if a person is being pulled over for a minor infraction (tail light out, etc.). Obviously police use this tactic to pull over suspicious cars as it gives them a reason, even if the person is obeying all traffic laws. I commend the police department for taking this action, and I think it's a good policy that has undoubtedly saved lives.
However, the policy I do not like is the voluntary non-coverage by news stations in the Los Angeles area when a police chase is underway. Rather than breaking into normal programming and televising a police chase, they do not show it live, but rather, show snippets on the five o'clock news. The reasoning behind this non-coverage is that criminals will initiate a chase because they want to get on TV. This reasoning is asinine. Criminals will initiate a chase because they believe they can get away - or the thought of jail time scares them enough (two strikes, outstanding warrants, etc.).
Of course, the reason I'm complaining is because this morning, I heard of a chase on the radio as they were doing traffic reports and turned the TV on to see if I could catch a glimpse. Nope. Nothing. The radio then went on to detail what was happening, which they could do, via a closed circuit feed from their local television station's chopper. I belive that the public has a right to know what's happening, see what happens, and in the end, watch how the chase is concluded. By televising chases, criminals will not think, "Gee, let's see if I can get on TV," and run away more often, but rather, we might see more restraing used by the chasing police cars and, even better, see what happens when you do run - you get caught - thus serving as a deterrant to those who decide to run in the future.
URL: NBC 4 - News - Police Arrest Suspect As Dramatic Pursuit Comes To Ends
However, the policy I do not like is the voluntary non-coverage by news stations in the Los Angeles area when a police chase is underway. Rather than breaking into normal programming and televising a police chase, they do not show it live, but rather, show snippets on the five o'clock news. The reasoning behind this non-coverage is that criminals will initiate a chase because they want to get on TV. This reasoning is asinine. Criminals will initiate a chase because they believe they can get away - or the thought of jail time scares them enough (two strikes, outstanding warrants, etc.).
Of course, the reason I'm complaining is because this morning, I heard of a chase on the radio as they were doing traffic reports and turned the TV on to see if I could catch a glimpse. Nope. Nothing. The radio then went on to detail what was happening, which they could do, via a closed circuit feed from their local television station's chopper. I belive that the public has a right to know what's happening, see what happens, and in the end, watch how the chase is concluded. By televising chases, criminals will not think, "Gee, let's see if I can get on TV," and run away more often, but rather, we might see more restraing used by the chasing police cars and, even better, see what happens when you do run - you get caught - thus serving as a deterrant to those who decide to run in the future.
URL: NBC 4 - News - Police Arrest Suspect As Dramatic Pursuit Comes To Ends
posted by Blake | 14:08
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