Regarding the Lynnwood carjacking incident, with the kidnapping of two young children on (“Man charged in car-jacking, kidnapping,” May 21): I have to take issue with the conclusion voiced by prosecutor Mark Roe regarding Officer Jason Valentine’s actions being “all that prevented a tragic conclusion to the defendant’s latest criminal actions,” and that he surely saved the children’s lives.
It is important to note that the story relates that the suspect “apparently realized the children were in the car, because he drove back to the apartment.” He then sped away upon seeing the police. While we are all grateful that the children were rescued, could the police have handled the situation differently than a car chase reaching speeds of 65 mph on residential streets, with the officer actually ramming the kidnapper’s car, “causing it to spin out”? This undoubtedly is a very thrilling and adrenaline-charged spectacle for the officer, but it is questionable whether his actions were necessary. They certainly were dangerously impulsive and easily could have ended, rather than saved, the lives of the children involved, and perhaps others as well.
In The Herald of June 4, there’s a report about the sentencing of a Gig Harbor man whose wife, unborn child and 6-year-old daughter had been killed in a high-speed crash involving yet another police chase. He was intoxicated and fleeing the police with his family in the car. Readers certainly can blame the man for his recklessness and irresponsibility. However, the family could still be alive had the police not frantically pursued at speeds up to 95 mph.
It is interesting and perhaps significant, that an AP story in that May 21 issue of The Herald, describes how the major television networks are now electing to interrupt any regular programming to air police car chases, regardless of their newsworthiness. Ratings nearly double! A Los Angeles police officer has even founded a service that alerts subscribers by beeper or phone whenever there is a televised car chase occurring, so that they can race to the nearest set to watch. Are our officers now looking over their shoulders for the news helicopter?
Everett
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