High-Speed Police Chases Questioned by Council

Two high-speed police chases this week prompted the St. Petersburg City Council to request a review of city police policy for conducting chases.

On Monday,  and temporarily shut down the intersection at Martin Luther King Jr. Street and 9th Avenue North. 

Police were chasing four burglary suspects, including two minors, when the suspect's car slammed into a vehicle at that intersection, which then hit two other cars. 

Four people were taken to the hospital, though none were trauma alerts, police said.

The next day a pursuit of a man on an outstanding warrant for violating probation led to a chase in Childs Park that resulted in a bystander's car being sideswiped.

In both instances a chase was authorized after the two cars allegedly tried to run over police. 

For council chair Leslie Curran, a review of the policy is necessary. She says many of her constituents are asking about the city policy. A review, she said, is not just for safety of bystanders but also of the officers involved.

"I'm also concerned with the safety of our officers, she said. "A red light on their car doesn’t keep them safe."

Curran also voiced her displeasure with having to read about the chases in the news rather than hear from police directly. Because both chases/crimes are still under investigation, police declined to give an opinion on the chases at Thursday's City Council meeting. 

"What I cannot understand, is why we just can’t have someone from the police department just tell us what happened," Curran said. "Is there someone in charge when (Chief Chuck Harmon) is not here?" 

Other than press releases sent to media after the incident, there has been no other statement.

Council member Wengay Newton said too many people are questioning the city's policy not to have a review. 

"People are concerned," he said. "My main concern is for life."

On Aug. 2, a new business item has been added to the Council's agenda to review police policy on high-speed chases.