A new bill introduced by California Congresswoman Laura Friedman on Wednesday seeks to enhance police response to high-speed chases.
The Next Gen Road Safety Act aims to expand the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program, allowing law enforcement agencies to access federal funds for modern tools and technology to prevent and de-escalate high-speed pursuits.
The bill’s introduction coincided with two separate police chases in Southern California that ended in crashes and suspect deaths. The proposed legislation would enable police departments to purchase advanced technologies like vehicle-disabling systems, police bumper systems, and drones to safely stop fleeing vehicles and track suspects. Burbank Police Chief Rafael Quintero emphasized the potential of drones, stating they offer flexibility and can operate in areas where traditional air assets may not be available.
Despite the introduction of these technologies, more than 94% of police pursuits currently end without any safe termination technology being deployed, according to Friedman. The bill aims to change that by providing the necessary funding to equip police with modern tools, reducing the risks associated with high-speed chases.
The urgency of the bill was underscored by recent incidents, including a pursuit in Jurupa Valley where a grappler device failed to stop a fleeing vehicle, resulting in a crash and the suspect’s death by suicide. Another chase in East Los Angeles ended in a shootout, leaving one suspect dead and another injured.
Friedman highlighted the need for safer pursuit methods, stating, “Officers don’t have modern gear to de-escalate these chases before they result in an accident.” The bipartisan bill aims to bridge the gap between available technology and its utilization, ultimately reducing pursuit-related crashes, injuries, and deaths.
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