Rep. Greg Cheney supports I-2113 during House floor debate, restoring vehicular police pursuits

good member from the 18th legislative district representative Cheney thank you Mr Speaker this this initiative will help restore balance in the state of Washington Mr Speaker permission to read proceed thank you Mr Speaker uh reading from a news article dated February 2 2024 Vancouver Washington five teenagers were arrested after alluding officers for for 30 hours in a stolen car at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies were made aware of a stolen vehicle that vehicle was being followed by the owner the owner of the stolen car reported that the driver of his own vehicle that was stolen pointed a gun at him while he was following his own vehicle that had been stolen in the following 30 hours the car was found by law enforcement several times and fled on Friday morning the car was found driving a deputy attempted a traffic stop and the Hyundai sped up again this time however they were able to use spike strips on the car the driver continued to drive on flat tires the car was lost again next time Vancouver Police spotted the vehicle again and continued to follow the car until it came to a stop in the front yard of a home five teenagers were arrested deputies arrested a 16-year-old a 17-year-old two 14-year-olds and a 13-year-old Mr Speaker this is precisely why this initiative is needed how many lives have to be endangered on the road because criminals won't stop for the police Mr Speaker we've seen it in our communities across this state it isn't that we want people to die in traffic accidents but Common Sense would say that if a criminal takes off at 100 miles an hour or lose the police three to four times in a 30-hour period there's a risk yes there might be a death and that death might be unfortunate but Mr Speaker I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that under current law passed by this legislature if these 17 and 14 year olds do the exact same thing as at adults their record is now washed clean I urge yes vote in this amendment to restore Justice and balance in the state of Washington thank you