from the WTF dept? - S.C. Mayor Bans Police Pursuits on Foot

[The Straight Story]

S.C. Mayor Bans Police Pursuits on Foot

The mayor of Wellford, S.C. is defending a policy she issued earlier this month which bans police officers from chasing suspects on foot, according to WSPA-TV.

On Sept. 2, Mayor Sallie Peake issued a memo to all of the city's officers that read: "As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever."

Peake told the news station that she issued the mandate because several officers have been injured during chases, driving up insurance costs for the town.

The city is paying $20,000 annually in workers' compensation claims, much of which goes to the police force, she said.

According to Wellford Police Chief Chris Guy, three officers have been injured during foot chases in the last two years

Guy has told his officers to abide by the policy and says they can still protect the public.

http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/SC-Mayor-Bans-Police-Pursuits-on-Foot/1$48500

BRB, heading to SC for some, uh, shopping....

[ejpoeta]

1. but it was kind of comical to watch that video of her defending her actions.

[JohnyCanuck]

2. When I saw the subject line

I thought maybe overweight cops were dropping from heart attacks after too many coffee breaks in the doughnut shop.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. How soon before they get radios and police cars?

[The Straight Story]

4. Maybe they should just take calls, then put ads in the paper asking perps to come in

to be arrested :)

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Yeah, a continuous "amnety" program

That'll work

:hi:

[appamado amata padam]

6. By that logic,

they should just shut down the whole police department. It will save money for the city.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

7. What's with South Carolina

Always in the news!

I'll bet Florida's missing the attention tho..:eyes:

[The Straight Story]

12. Well, I will go to local 6 and find something for Florida for you

:)

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

16. Thanks

:P

[donquijoterocket]

13. mark twain

If Mark were still among us he might feel moved to revise his opinion that:When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky because it's always twenty years behind the times.Or maybe not, he might just append it to a whole list of other states.Between Sanford, Wilson and a whole host of others you'd think the residents of SC would be getting tired of being embarrassed.

[DainBramaged]

8. Want to bet shoot on sight is the new practice?

[blindpig]

9. Ya gotta know Sallie.....

She's a piece of work. Popular enough to get re-elected too. Wellford was once the most notorious speed trap in the area, don't hear much of that now. Mebbe that's why they can't afford the comp?

[The Straight Story]

10. She seems rather lively, reminds me of Bill Moss from the Columbus school board

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x387055

He passed away back in 05 but while he was on the board was animated and a little off, but by doing so brought a lot of attention to the board and got more people involved.

[T Wolf]

11. A cop chasing someone on foot cannot run a red light and kill an innocent bystander. That is the

real reason for banning foot-chases.

In addition, the embarrassment of seeing fat, beer-gutted uniformed gangsters collapsing in the street from exhaustion would also give the department a(nother) bad image to live down.

Don't let the perps escape. I say, let them run (and die) in their pursuit of suspects. A win-win.

[Retrograde]

14. but people on foot can go where cars can't

Many years ago in San Francisco some bank robbers got away on bicycles because they went down some passageways too narrow for cars. People on foot can do the same thing if they know the area well.

[Libertas1776]

15. Dont be ridiculous...

those police cruisers are every versatile...I've seen them drive on two wheels to fit through an alley, race through shopping malls, drive up stairways and fire escapes:sarcasm: Shit, though, it would be cool if they could do some of that stuff, except maybe the whole driving through the mall a la Blues Brothers thing.

[Harry Monroe]

17. Can they at least get the poor bastards Segways? (Not Subways)