DAFFYDRUNK

With the "huh" comment, it sounds like (at least in your opinion) public safety is somewhere down the list compared to catching some guy stealing an SUV. Please enlighten me.

I could see before I even commented that I wouldn't be very popular in this thread, but I stand behind my opinion that giving chase in a dense area like that is a terrible idea. One that they failed on both ends. Lost the bad guy and put a bystander in the hospital. What should you do in circumstances like this? I dunno. I'm just an IT guy, but obviously giving chase to someone willing to drive in a dense area at lethal speeds is not the solution.

449er

It is always a tough call as to when to cut off a police chase no doubt, I hope the C7 owner will be A ok though

Jay_Davis

It was 2am on a Tuesday morning, one of the few times its not going to be "massively congested".

But year, a chase is ridiculous, they should just immediately shoot out the tires.

ZenicaPA

The "huh" is meant to indicate that catching the bad guy and public safety are not mutually exclusive.

Public safety and catching "bad guys" are synonymous, even my 4 year old knows that. Every time he perceives an injustice, he urges me to call the police. What would you have me tell him?

Ernest_T

I saw a news piece about the number of people killed and injured by spike strips. Several agencies are thinking of not using them.

ZenicaPA

So far, every report I've read that resulted in a fatality was due to misuse strips. If they are used improperly, the device isn't to fault nor is it fair to discontinue their use.

Hopper12

No need to enlighten you on the 'huh' comment. I'm sure that many (most) understood, and ZenicaPA commented with a perfect explanation.

Standing by your opinion is certainly your choice. I just get a bit tired of Law Enforcement automatically being dissed by opinions that are formed with little information. You weren't there. You may not know the area at all, either. I wasn't there either, so I'm not going to form an opinion on whether the State Trooper (who would have a ton of training) made the right decisions or not. But I do know the area, very well. I'm part owner of two companies that are headquartered in Manhattan. I'm at our offices there several times per year. I was just there last week and drove from the Newark airport thru the Holland at a bit past 1 am Thursday morning after a late flight. There was virtually no traffic. None. Still, I'm not going to say whether the Trooper acted perfectly, but I'll sure give him/her the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise - every time.

Back to the C7 driver - - terrible situation and I hope he/she is well soon.