Why did patrol let it go on so long?

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, March 28, 2004

This letter is about the March 22 story, “Police Standoff closes I-5 for 4 hours near Stanwood.” My question is to the Washington State Patrol. Why did the WSP allow this pursuit to continue in excess of 50 miles on I-5? Why was in not stopped within five or 10 miles? If I recall correctly, there is a maneuver to bump the rear of one’s car to make it spin out. Why was that not used near, say, Southcenter or South Seattle? It seems to me that the WSP does not have the training to stop such a chase, or does not have the common sense to figure out to say that “wow, we are now in Lynnwood and this guy is still going. Maybe it is time to put an end to this.” I think the proper word is gun-shy.

Arlington