News Summary
The Atlanta City Council has adopted a resolution calling for the Georgia State Patrol to reform high-speed pursuit policies. This follows a tragic incident where a 19-year-old pedestrian, Cooper Schoenke, was killed in a police chase. The resolution recommends changes to enhance public safety during law enforcement pursuits, including termination of chases in populated areas, and a review of tactics employed during such incidents. This initiative aims to prevent similar tragedies and improve coordination between police departments.
Atlanta – The Atlanta City Council has unanimously voted to adopt a resolution urging the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) to reform its high-speed pursuit policies in the wake of a tragic incident that claimed the life of a 19-year-old pedestrian. This action comes following the death of Cooper Schoenke, who was killed during a police chase in the Little Five Points neighborhood, raising urgent concerns regarding public safety during such law enforcement pursuits.
The resolution, while symbolic in nature, requests that the GSP review and change its high-speed pursuit policies to prevent further tragedies. Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari, who represents the district where Schoenke lost his life, stressed the importance of taking action, even though the City Council lacks direct authority to enforce policy changes for state agencies.
The resolution specifically advocates for several key policy modifications by the GSP. It calls for the termination of police chases in densely populated areas, especially where pedestrian traffic is heavy. Furthermore, it seeks to restrict high-speed pursuits to situations involving serious crimes in progress, such as murder or kidnapping. The resolution also recommends that the use of precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuvers, which involve police vehicles bumping into a suspect’s car to bring it to a stop, be avoided in crowded locations to minimize risks to bystanders.
Bakhtiari reiterated that the primary aim of these proposed changes is not to compromise public safety, but to develop guidelines that aim to reduce risks during high-pressure situations. The resolution was influenced by the overwhelming statistics surrounding police pursuits in Georgia, which has recorded the highest number of fatalities resulting from these chases in the nation. From 2019 to 2021, Georgia reported 195 deaths due to police pursuits, including 43 innocent bystanders, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
In connection with Schoenke’s death, Faduma Mohamed, the driver involved in the incident, faces multiple charges, including murder and vehicular homicide. Mohamed was accused of driving erratically and attempting to evade police before the fatal crash occurred. Her case serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of high-speed pursuits both for suspects and the public.
The GSP has defended its existing chase policy, asserting that it is formulated based on law, extensive training, and established standards regarding reasonable actions during pursuits. The agency highlights that its officers are trained to assess risks during chases and act within the confines of the law.
Experts have called for a reassessment of current police pursuit tactics, as noted by representatives from several advocacy groups. They have drawn parallels between current pursuit methods and outdated video game scenarios, advocating for more modern, effective strategies to balance law enforcement objectives with public safety. These calls for reform are underscored by the alarming statistics revealing that over 6,700 high-speed pursuits occurred in Georgia over a five-year period, leading to significant injuries and fatalities among both suspects and innocent bystanders.
In addition to urging GSP to reform its policies, the Atlanta City Council’s resolution also calls for the Atlanta Police Department to reevaluate its protocols for requesting backup from the GSP. Enhanced communication and coordination between the Atlanta Police Department and neighboring jurisdictions is also recommended as part of a strategic approach to enhance overall public safety during high-speed pursuits.
The resolution, which passed on the consent agenda, will now be formally presented to the GSP for consideration. This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to ensure the safety of its residents while balancing the needs of law enforcement.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Wikipedia: Police Pursuit
- Atlanta News First
- Google Search: Georgia State Patrol pursuit policy
- 11 Alive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Policing
- WRDW
- Google News: Atlanta City Council pursuit reform
