Slow-speed truckers form rolling roadblock to help police end chase


http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=bizarre&id=5632087&ft=lg

(9/03/07 - BIGGS, OR) - Three commercial truck drivers put on the brakes to help police stop a man who led authorities on a high-speed chase for more than 50 miles.

The truckers pulled alongside each other and slowed to about 5 mph, forming a rolling roadblock. The fleeing driver stopped and fled on foot but was quickly captured, authorities said.


Trucker Edwin Beach said he had heard police radio traffic and said, "OK, where's the high-speed chase at?" He coordinated with two other drivers over CB and placed his truck in the middle on Interstate 84.

"We were all kind of laughing because he was running down the freeway," said Beach, of Kelso, Wash. Identities of the other two truckers were not immediately available.

The chase began Saturday near Boardman and ended near the John Day Dam on the Columbia River about 100 miles east of Portland, police said. Speeds during the chase exceeded 100 mph.

The fleeing car had been reported to have been involved in a hit-and-run.

__________________

I'm not 100% sure but haven't truckers done this in the past? To spark some sort of debate (hopefully friendly) will the results be the same if the truckers don't speak the language as is likely with the latest justifications of NAFTA?

__________________
Just because your opinion is different from my own doesn't mean that mine is right.

I have heard this in the past, but it does concern me. I mean "Yaay" ya caught the 'bad guy' but in the past few weeks..... we have had so many accidents in the city with the trucks where they have caused serious damage ...concerns me that someone innocent may be hurt

__________________

I’m sort of against pit maneuvers in general be it police or any civilians that get involved with high speed chases. Usually the suspect will be forced to drive into a highly populated area, thus endangering the lives of potentially many innocent bystanders. I think they should lay chase up to a point, but if it becomes too dangerous just let them go. They are usually able to get the make and model of the fleeing vehicle or a license plate number in some cases.

You can make the argument I guess that it will only increase the likelihood that people will evade arrest if they know the cops are required to give up after a certain point but if someone has it in their mind to run, they will run either way.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

In some cities where I live, the police are no longer allowed to have 'high speed chases' so what do they do? force them to the interstates where the state patrol can 'chase' them. Thus putting more innocent ppl at risk

__________________

Yeah, IMO that should also not be an option. Granted there a far less people walking around on a freeway or highway like a downtown area but still, many cars.

Its an either or thing but you know darn well those gung ho type cops and especially rookies are gonna disobey rules and just chase someone down if they feel they can. It just doesnt seem worth it to me to put so many people at risk to aprehend one or a couple felons in a car. Im not saying give up and let them go but you figure they still need to get to wherever they are going so if the police are out looking or a have a vehicle description, with cell phones and everything the way it is now, chances are they can still find them.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

....................

Well that statement was taken slightly out of context in my defense. The qualifying element being "I think they should lay chase up to a point, but if it becomes too dangerous." That part of the sentence was not copied and pasted.

I would imagine a state trooper is much less likely to give up a chase due to the fact that he has more jurisdictional control of the situation and can cross county lines and even state lines if need be. He can also notify other units across the border to set up road blocks or whatever he or she requires in order to disable a defendant's vehicle or push him in another direction, or corner him, what have you.

I can definitely see your point though and many agree with you. I would say it’s close to 50/50. Some feel it will just cause more to feel that they can successfully run if there is a certain set limit as to how far a cruiser can chase them and under what conditions.

However it’s my understanding that when a person decides to run, they WILL run and nothing is going to prevent that. Most don’t even decide but they know darn well they have warrants or weapons or contraband in the vehicle or some sort of parole violation so they aren’t stopping for any reason anyway.

That’s my point I guess. Why endanger all those civilians?

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."

Sorry if I mis quoted you, it was not my intention.

You are right in one regard.. they will either run or they wont. I remember having a split second to make that choice and once made it was made. My point is that if they know they're going to be chased hard they will more often choose NOT to run. Most of these guys run for stupid reasons... a few traffic warrants, no license, etc... They run because it's a sport. It's fun. It's an adrenalin rush. It's something to brag about in the bar that night. Make it a costly sport and there will be a lot fewer participants. Fewer participants means fewer resulting accidents and safer roads.

-Ray

I can see your point. I know what you mean with the bragging rights and all that lol. At least you have a story for your celly (even if you doubled your time) rather than you just rolled over for smokey hahah.

__________________
"Thats it then, they will go on double, secret, probation..."