KC region's police pursuit policies threaten all road users

Bicyclists Doug Rushing, John Anderson, Laurie Chipman, Carol Hatcher, and Maggie McCoy are co-authors of an editorial in today's Kansas City Star about the dangers of police chases.

High-speed police pursuits can be like shoot-outs in a crowded shopping mall. They should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately, that is too often not the case. In July 2003, Toni Sena was killed during a needless police chase while riding her bike on a quiet street in the Waldo area of Kansas City.

. . .

Kansas City police learned a lesson in July 2003. Independence police have not yet learned this lesson and continue to defend a policy that is badly flawed because it:

* Allows for pursuits when public safety is not threatened.

* Gives too much leeway to officers to initiate a pursuit.

Speeding cars may become deadly weapons, making a pursuit a high-stress situation. Stress impairs sound decision-making.

For the safety of the whole metropolitan area, Independence police should join with other jurisdictions to adopt the Kansas City pursuit policy. Such standardization for the region would make streets safer for everyone — pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and police.

A recent police chase by officers from Independence resulted in the death of one person and the serious injury of another.