Wednesday, July 31, 2002

When does it stop? How many more people have to die before the high-speed police chases through crowded areas end? I was there Saturday, I saw the vehicles, and I saw the innocent man's lifeless body in his mangled minivan. It was a senseless loss of life.

For what, to stop a woman involved in a minor accident, two counties away? Don't you think the woman probably would have slowed down if she realized the police had stopped pursuing her? Its kind of like being chased by a dog, you run until you realize you've gotten away, then you stop. Instead the chase continued until she killed someone.

She should not have run. If alcohol was involved, she should not have been drinking and driving. But, the officer in pursuit could have backed off when he realized she was going to run. Especially if he knew she had children in the vehicle. They knew who she was; why not let her go and go pick her up later, instead of chasing her for 20 miles at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

I have other issues surrounding the actions of our law enforcement officers. I know I may get many negative responses to my statements, but I know there are many others that will agree.

First, I saw officers laughing and joking out in the open while this ordeal was being sorted out. There is a time and a place for everything; this was neither the time nor place. I just can't believe that in the midst of all this they could have found anything remotely humorous. I can tell you the people near me saw them too and they were appalled.

Second, shortly after I left the scene I was heading south on Ga. Highway 54 and met a deputy with his blue lights on, traveling at a very high rate of speed, presumably heading to the accident site. Why?

There were already approximately 10 law enforcement vehicles at the scene. Would his arrival a few minutes later have made any difference? Probably not. Could his speeding on a busy night through Peachtree City have caused another accident? Yes.

I would not have mentioned the latter if this were the first time I had witnessed an officer speeding excessively for no apparent reason. However, many times I have witnessed it and have seen no blue lights.

Before law enforcement officers begin to think I'm anti-police, let me say a few things. I respect our dedicated men and women of law enforcement. I teach my children not even to use the word cop because I feel it sounds disrespectful. It takes a special type of person to be an officer; basically, putting on that uniform these days makes you a target the minute you walk out the door.

I know your job is tough and sometimes decisions have to be made in a split second. Was this one of those times?

Ryan Gunnin

Fayetteville

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