Trump should force the District of Columbia to allow police pursuits
“A 10-year-old child has just been struck by an illegal dirt bike. He’s in critical condition. The group of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes is headed north. Locate, pursue, and detain.”
TL;DR
- A 10-year-old child was struck by an illegal dirt bike rider in Washington D.C., and the rider remains at large due to police pursuit restrictions.
- Legislation passed in 2022 significantly limits police pursuits in D.C., allowing officers to chase suspects only in extreme circumstances.
- Past prosecutions of officers for actions during pursuits have further deterred police from engaging in them.
- Criminals exploit these laws, using vehicles as getaway cars knowing they likely won't be pursued.
- The article calls for federal intervention, such as congressional legislation or executive action by Donald Trump, to reinstate vehicle pursuit policies.
- Federal law enforcement and police in neighboring suburbs do not face the same pursuit restrictions.