The city of Wellford, South Carolina may be a felon’s dream come true. Mayor Sallie Peake has banned police officers from chasing suspects on foot or in a car.
Peake’s new direction came in a September 2, 2009 memo where she announced “[a]s 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.“
It is not clear how the town will define a chase. If an officer walks briskly in the direction of a fleeing bank robber, is it a chase?
Can a criminal injured in a chase claim that he was injured by a violation of police protocol and guidelines?
Of course, this still leaves your slow moving felons, here and here and here and here and here.
She explained to reporters that “[t]he officers are costing us more money on insurance than most citizens here in the city of Wellford are even earning.“ She says the city pays $20,000 annually in workers’ compensation claims, often to police officers. Three officers have been injured in foot chases in the last two years.
Here is the new department theme song for Wellford:
Her encounter with a reporter named Cato was a bit odd:
Reporter: “Are you telling your officers if they witness a crime – they witness someone commit a crime on someone else and they’re ten yards away – they can’t go stop that person?“
Peake: “Is that in there?“ (referring to policy)
Reporter: “It says no chases whatsoever.“
Peake: “Well, that’s what I said, no chases, didn’t I? I didn’t say nothing about a crime. If you see a crime, this that and the other -“
Reporter: “Well, that’s what a chase is – “
Peake: “Well, I told them no chase on foot, and (the police chief) know exactly what I mean, so you’re trying to twist what I -“
Reporter: “No, I’m not. You said no chases. No chases means no chases.“
Peake: (claps hands) “You got you a story, thank God! You are so sweet! You got you a story on a woman in Wellford! Hallelujah! I’m so proud of you, Mr. Cato!“
Wellford may be the paradise long sought by hobos and felonious travelers. Notably, in the song Big Rock Candy Mountain promises “cops with wooden legs”:
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
The cops have wooden legs,
The bull-dogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs.
The Box-cars all are empty
And the sun shines ev’ry day
I’m bound to go where there ain’t no snow
Where the sleet don’t fall
And the wind don’t blow,
In the Big Rock Candy Mountain
Of course, some police chases can border on the ridiculous:
For the full story, click here.
I think walk the line is an awesome movie, it shows the great work of jonny cash in a great way and is an adequate way to pay him tribute.
Maybe the Police should be training better so they won’t be injured when the attempt a chase, maybe learn to run after something other than a jelly donut. Maybe they can use donuts to lure the criminals back: “hey stop, I have a cream filled for you!”
On the other hand maybe they should be negotiating with thier insurance company to get better rates for public service employees. WHAT AM I SAYING, this is an isurance company they’re dealing with-NEVER MIND.
Wellford could use some Help! from the Slow Motion Ray.
This video is blurry, but you get the idea.
eniobob,
was that in South Carolina after the decision of the Chief?
An update on story posted here a few months ago:
East Rutherford man with 16 DWI convictions sentenced to 4 1/2 years
By Christopher N. Dela Cruz
September 18, 2009, 3:41PM
MORRISTOWN — Calling him “a public danger and hazard,” a judge today sentenced a Bergen County man with 16 drunken-driving convictions and 78 license suspensions to 4 1/2 years in prison and jail for a drunken-driving crash in Morris County and DWIs in Pequannock and Wayne.
Shaun Campbell, 40, of East Rutherford, was also sentenced in Superior Court in Morristown to lose his license for 41 years and pay some $9,000 in fines.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/east_rutherford_man_with_12_dw_2.html
It’s apparently old memory morning at Buddha’s.
I knew another kid. We met in college but this story was confirmed by a third acquaintance that went to grade school with him.
Gary busted open his head on a field trip. He ran into a sign that said “No Running”. We’ve discussed the person everyone knows, the one with lots of book sense and no common sense at all? Gary is my prime exemplar.
As far as the regulation goes, simply ridiculous. I await the first civil suit because someone gets killed by a criminal your cops, duh, can’t chase. I hope slickone was right and you’re all operating under the Barney Fife weapons control protocol. A full mag is too dangerous for your lot.
Now go stand in line with Gary at the nurse’s office.
No Case or Chase here:
Reminds me of the guy I asked “do you like fishing?”, to which he replied, “no, but I don’t mind catching”; I then asked him “do you like hunting?”, to which he replied “no, but I don’t mind finding.”
So I moved on to golf, “how is your golf?”, he said “I can play better than I do.”
shit-shirt, duh
Suspect, submit to police authority, OR politely walk, jog or run to city limits. Your choice, and have a nice day! 😉
What is the accuracy for using a firearm for these same officers? Have they been instructed on the case called Tennessee vs Garner? And Lastly, do they care?
This is kind of funny if you think about it, is Sheriff Taylor about somewhere? I think barney is now the Chief here. Do they keep the the one bullet in the left shit pocket?
Many things can go wrong with her policy. It is potentially screaming for many lawsuits.