“The biggest concern I have is that the crimes that we saw an increase in, they didn’t address,” Moss said. However, he says needing to chase for those types of crimes are very rare. “With the laws that they put in place before, I could not chase that red car without probable cause, which means I need a license plate, a really specific description of the driver, or something on the vehicle that stands out that says this is the vehicle that committed that crime,” Moss said. He says now, a deputy seeing a red car speeding away can pursue. Darren Moss of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department gives an example of witnesses reporting murder suspect getting in a red car and fleeing the scene. The previous law, passed in 2021, required law enforcement to have “probable cause” – or hard evidence – of violent and sexual crimes, and DUI. She said she’s also had a car stolen in the past.Īs for what the new law changes, law enforcement officials need “reasonable suspicion” for violent and sexual crimes, DUI, domestic violence, and vehicular assault. “I think they should be able to uphold the law,” said Robin McGaughy, another Tacoma resident. He pointed to a broken window, saying someone had just broken into his girlfriend’s car last week. “I think it’s crap,” said Alan Bonner, who said he had his car stolen last year in Tacoma. But it does not change how police can respond to property crimes – meaning if an officer sees your stolen car racing by, they still can’t give chase.įor some people KIRO 7 spoke with in Pierce County, that is a problem. The new law went into effect immediately after the signing. “I believe this is a step forward, a reasonable measure and balance, to ensure public safety,” Inslee said during the bill signing in Pasco. The biggest difference is now police don’t need probable cause of a violent crime to chase a criminal – just reasonable suspicion. It gives more latitude to police on when they can initiate a pursuit. Jay Inslee just signed into law Wednesday afternoon changes when law enforcement can chase criminals.
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