By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — After an early morning would-be thief successfully fled Edcliff Court near Emmons Boulevard at a high rate of speed Dec. 18, with its vehicle lights off to elude capture, Wyandotte Deputy Police Chief Archie Hamilton called for lawmakers to enact tougher penalties for fleeing and eluding.
Hamilton said that while the police officer’s situational awareness no doubt prevented a crime, there is no serious deterrent to prevent criminals from recklessly fleeing at a high rate of speed and in a manner which risks the lives of other drivers.
“Our current laws and political climate encourage criminals to make pursuits more dangerous by turning off their lights and driving in the wrong lanes of traffic because they know the more dangerous the pursuit, the more likely it will be terminated,” he said. “Perhaps Congress will act before an innocent person or family is killed.”