There is a great deal of criticism being directed at the Police regarding car pursuits when they attempt to capture fleeing perpetrators. There is a very simple, basic principle to be learnt by those who do not respect the law – if the Police signal you to pull over then it’s simple – you pull over!
Police are only pursuing fleeing perpetrators because the driver has chosen to ignore this simple message. Stealing a car, failing to stop at a stop sign, running a red light, wanted by police for previous criminal activity, driving dangerously or driving at extremely high speeds are the main reasons our New Zealand Police are having to pursue fleeing drivers.
21 May 2019
Number of occupants in the car: three aged 13, 14, 15 years
Town: West Auckland
Time: Monday at 11:45pm
Car: Stolen
The driver was traveling at high speed. The Police indicated to the driver to pull over, flashing their lights and siren. The driver did not stop and chose to flee. There was a short pursuit and the driver crashed the car around a pole. He then ran from the scene, leaving the two young occupants in the damaged vehicle. Emergency services were called.
All three occupants were referred to Youth Court
19 August 2019
Number of occupants in the car; three aged 13 to 17 years
Town: West Auckland
Time: Monday at 1.20am
Car Stolen
Three girls made the decision to steal a car and at speed they ran a red light. Police saw the driver acting erratically. Concerned about the dangerous manner of driving, Police activated lights and sirens but the vehicle failed to stop. The Police pursued the car but the driver refused to stop.
They rolled the car, emergency services had to be called.
All three girls were referred to Youth Aid.
13 September 2019
Number of occupants in the car: One
Town: Hamilton
Time: Thursday at 12:00pm
Car: Stolen
A car pursuit commenced when the Police were alerted that a stolen car was driving at high speed through central Hamilton. The driver was signaled to stop but chose to ignore the Police. Even when the vehicle was spiked, the driver continued to drive erratically. Police discontinued the pursuit. A short time later the driver crashed into another vehicle. The fleeing driver wasn’t hurt but caused minor injuries to the occupants of the car he crashed into. Emergency services were called. Fleeing the scene, the driver was later taken into custody.
So, who is responsible for the following crimes and who is being held accountable for them?
• Stealing a car
• Driving without a license
• Unlicensed drivers carrying passengers
• Driving at high speed
• Driving dangerously
• Refusing to stop when signaled to by the Police
• Running a red light
• Not stopping at a Stop sign
• Fleeing from the Police
• Drivers running from the scene of the crime
We are living in a society where it is so much easier to blame everybody and everything else for the choices offenders make! No one forced these unlicensed drivers to steal cars. No one forced these drivers to flee from the Police. These three examples are cases of drivers that did not kill innocent victims. Please remember the moment an offender makes the choice to commit a crime, and then act on that crime – they alone are fully responsible for their actions.
The blame lies squarely with the offender – it’s about being held accountable for your actions and accepting the consequences of those actions! Stop blaming the Police for doing their job in trying to keep innocent people safe from these deliberate, dangerous and illegal acts!