From: [email protected]
To: CityClerk; Mayor and Council; Management Team
Subject: [External] New eComment for City Council
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 2:47:31 PM
SpeakUp
New eComment for City Council
Chris James submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council
Item: PUBLIC COMMENTS - ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
eComment: Good evening Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council Members. As you know, I am a longtime advocate for safe streets and against speeding, particularly on our residential neighborhoods. I am very concerned about the number of high speed pursuits by our law enforcement on neighborhood streets. These are the same streets where residents are walking, bicycling, running and driving. Except for cases where someone's life is at risk, like pursuing a suspect with a kidnapped child, is there any reason to jeopardize our neighborhoods with high speed pursuits? It seems like we are having repeated cases of high speed pursuits, and in all instances that I am aware of, they are for property crimes. The last instance was in the middle of the afternoon and ended with a crash close to a park and 2 schools where children were probably still around or returning home. In my opinion, none of this warrants jeopardizing the safety of our neighborhoods. I’ve reviewed the Napa County Sheriff’s SO Policy Manual (Section 307). I would like to understand whether our city has further policies beyond this manual with regard to high speed pursuits in our residential neighborhoods, and whether we need to review it considering the recent surge in high speed pursuits on city streets. “Deputies must not forget that the immediate apprehension of a suspect is generally not more important than the safety of the public and pursuing deputies.” “An unreasonable individual’s desire to apprehend a fleeing suspect at all costs has no place in professional law enforcement.” “High-speed pursuits expose any police department to high risk of loss of life, serious personal injury, and serious property damage. If the injured or killed are police officers, the police department suffers direct loss. If the injured or killed are private citizens, the department or the government it serves may be liable for damages, including property damage, in civil actions. When the injured parties are innocent bystanders, liability is particularly difficult to elude.” View and Analyze eComments
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