Law enforcement officials and state lawmakers are joining forces to advocate for legislation that would establish mandatory minimum sentences for criminals who flee from police during traffic stops and pursuits.
Watch Whitney Burney’s video report:
Michigan lawmakers push for tougher penalties on police pursuit fleeing suspects
Rep. Rylee Linting, who represents District 27, and Wyandotte Police Chief Archie Hamilton testified before a judiciary committee Wednesday in support of House Bill 4690, which aims to reduce dangerous police pursuits.
“These restrictive policies just aren’t working and there’s too many pursuits. A vehicle pursuit is one of the most dangerous things a police officer can do. They’re so common and it’s no different than shooting a gun down a street,” Hamilton said.
Police officials report that the number of suspects fleeing from officers has increased dramatically in the last four to five years, creating dangerous situations for residents, officers and even the fleeing drivers themselves…