This is one of those stories that you’d swear was made up as a joke, but apparently it’s real.
The city of Wellford, South Carolina has a police department. The officers of this department sometimes chase after criminals. During these chases, the officers have sustained some minor injuries. These injuries have resulted in the city having to pay the astounding cost of over $20,000 annually for worker’s compensation claims resulting from such injuries. Obviously, something had to be done to address this problem.
The solution?
The mayor of Wellford, Sallie Peake, has instituted a new policy which prohibits the police from chasing suspects.
I just watched the video of the interview with Mayor Peake. I don't think SNL could have put together a better comedy skit than this one.
Phil:
ReplyDeleteThis is getting BEYOND RIDICULOUS...
$20K?
I know departments that would LOVE to have such expenses THAT low.
NO chase, huh?
Seems like a great place to send some CRIME.
"Stop...or I'll keep shouting at you, because I can't CHASE you...and BULLETS cost money, too".
Don'cha think we're all being caught up in some weird plot device perpetrated by the late Rod Serling?
I know I sure do!
Twilight Zone for sure.
Amazing.
I don't know how the police Chief kept a straight face when he said "Just because we can't chase criminals doesn't mean the citizens will be unsafe. We have other options. Our officers can identify them and issue an arrest warrant and they can be picked up later." - Yeah, if the sheriff happens to be around!
ReplyDeleteI guess the kind of lunacy which seams to take place regularly throughout our world can be viewed as either comedy or terror. If you're reading about it happening somewhere else, it looks like SNL. If it happens to you, it feels like Twilight Zone.
She has since recanted this policy although she said she doesn't like her officers chasing criminals. Though I found it odd that a mayor can order a police department to do something (although politics allows it to happen) and the chief not having a say in the matter.
ReplyDeleteyes, i was going to comment about her recant. been awhile since i commented on your blog phil. but, i work with a woman like this and she is a work. i cant beleive that she got elected in office but i looked at the stistics and that place does have a higher black population. normally i dont see black and white. but, in this case its hard not too. she is part of the bible beating good girls network. probley some ms... whatever name that sings in the choir and bakes the best black eye pea cassarole. perhaps the greens are a killer too.
ReplyDeleteJason,
ReplyDeleteEven if the Mayor has the power to fire the Chief, it is ridiculous that he would tow her line rather than to say how unworkable her policy was. If he had any integrity at all he would have resigned to protest her order for his officers not to enforce the law.
Our local Chief is a real "yes man", who would probably give the same idiotic response that this guy did.