Why do these things happen?

**crokett** · 01-12-2009, 10:50 PM

It happened because a stupid 17 year old kid made an impulsive decision to steal a car. I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is not a career criminal. It's not the LEOs' fault for chasing him, it is his for stealing the truck.

**LCHIEN** · 01-12-2009, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by crokett

It happened because a stupid 17 year old kid made an impulsive decision to steal a car. I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is not a career criminal. It's not the LEOs' fault for chasing him, it is his for stealing the truck.

Actually he does have a prior criminal record for auto theft.

**dbhost** · 01-13-2009, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by crokett

It happened because a stupid 17 year old kid made an impulsive decision to steal a car. I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is not a career criminal. It's not the LEOs' fault for chasing him, it is his for stealing the truck.

I don't. At 17 he knows the difference between right, and wrong. Or he should be in a group home under protective supervision.

**jackellis** · 01-13-2009, 12:14 AM

For most of us, the threat of jail time or other similar punishment is enough of a deterrent. Some folks either don't care or don't think they'll get caught or think they won't serve much time, and these tend to be repeat offenders.

Part of the problem in dealing with repeat offenders is that society pays twice - once for the direct cost of the crime, and a second time for keeping the offender locked up. On the other hand, there are all kinds of moral issues with putting repeat offenders to death, let alone imposing a death penalty for the most serious, repugnant crimes.

In colonial times, England "transported" many of its criminals far away at a time when it was possible to get rid of them for good without executing them.

**LCHIEN** · 01-13-2009, 12:32 AM

the passenger of the car that was struck by the suspects "found, not stolen" vehicle is suing police for causing the accident. Personally, I blame the thief/suspect.

**LinuxRandal** · 01-13-2009, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by LCHIEN

the passenger of the car that was struck by the suspects "found, not stolen" vehicle is suing police for causing the accident. Personally, I blame the thief/suspect.

That is normal. It is just going after the deep pockets. I would hope at least, since he is under 18 (minor in that state?) they also sue and collect from the parents/guardians.

Not all dept's have helicopters (can watch and track without them knowing), and not all criminals will stop running, or slow down when the chase ends. There have been a few cases where the chase was ended, and the criminal still hit and hurt/killed someone, and the public asked why was the chase ended. It is a no win situation. The officers must try to think THROUGH the adrenalin rush and figure out if it is worth it. We had one here that went off road, in a residential area (duplexes) and the officer struck a fourteen year old girl who was either already outside, or went outside to figure out what the noise was (no transcripts and heard both versions). She was less then 20 feet from the back door.

You want them to make a better decision, give them the superpower of hindsight!

**Hoover** · 01-13-2009, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by jackellis

.

In colonial times, England "transported" many of its criminals far away at a time when it was possible to get rid of them for good without executing them.

You don't mean Australia? It used to be England's penal colony, after the US was liberated from Great Britain.

**RayintheUK** · 01-13-2009, 06:42 AM

We had the same debate about police chasing cars in the UK several years ago. This was, of course, due to the resultant actions of the fleeing driver causing death or serious injury to other road users, themselves or their passengers. The figures were on the increase - guess why? Police technology was better and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) was turning up loads more stolen vehicles than before, so chases went up, with predictable results.

Where was the focus placed, however? On Police Driver Training, which was blamed as the main cause of the increasing deaths and injuries. The next major difference was that police "pursuits" were only allowed to follow the vehicle until it stopped, or ran out of fuel - no attempt was to be made to stop it. This task was only to be undertaken by the most experienced and highly-trained Road Traffic Police drivers. Most pursuits were initiated by other police drivers, who then had to hand it over to Traffic colleagues or abandon it. The death and injury figures have subsequently still risen, so I guess it might be the criminals' poor driving after all - what a surprise!

Ray.

**crokett** · 01-13-2009, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by LCHIEN

the passenger of the car that was struck by the suspects "found, not stolen" vehicle is suing police for causing the accident. Personally, I blame the thief/suspect.

Unfortunately regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, as a result the police dept will probably introduce a no-chase policy, thereby increasing the amount of car thefts, etc.

**cabinetman** · 01-13-2009, 07:56 AM

There are a few points to this article that require specialized attention. The fact that a juvenile committed this crime, and how to handle that issue you could have responded to this thread if you felt age alone mattered.

On a broader scope, there seems to be a continued absence of blame on the parents or guardians raising those kids. That issue to me carries more credibility to where the blame might be placed. Waiting until it's too late to instill social skills is the answer to "Why do these things happen?
.

**pierhogunn** · 01-13-2009, 08:41 AM

Here in Charlotte, our former Police Chief instituted a no-chase policy, which encouraged theives to run, which in turn meant that they did not get caught as often, and were out to steal another day...

I know a society can be accurately judged by how we handle our criminals, but at some point, we have to stop treating repeat offenders as repeat victims

**BobSch** · 01-13-2009, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by cabinetman

On a broader scope, there seems to be a continued absence of blame on the parents or guardians raising those kids. That issue to me carries more credibility to where the blame might be placed. Waiting until it's too late to instill social skills is the answer to "Why do these things happen?
.

Amen. Too many parents seem to instill a "It's not my fault" attitude in their kids and then wonder when something like this happens. On top of that, I've heard of kids around here who don't even think auto theft is stealing, just "borrowing".

**cgallery** · 01-13-2009, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by pierhogunn

Here in Charlotte, our former Police Chief instituted a no-chase policy, which encouraged theives to run, which in turn meant that they did not get caught as often, and were out to steal another day...

I know a society can be accurately judged by how we handle our criminals, but at some point, we have to stop treating repeat offenders as repeat victims

Exactly. The day the police announce a "no chase" policy is about the same day the criminals announce a "no stopping" policy.

**cgallery** · 01-13-2009, 09:08 AM

How do you guys feel about corporal punishment? Like the caning performed in some Asian countries? Do you think it be much of a deterrent?

Or is is a step in the wrong direction?

Why do these things happen?

Why do these things happen?

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