On a Wednesday edition of Mobile radio's FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City) discussed legislation broadening the scope of penalties for those who lead police chases in Alabama.
SB 233, sponsored by Bell, would provide that eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer is a Class D felony. On Tuesday, the Republican's bill passed the Alabama Senate.
According to the legislator, a significant number of pursuits in the state are driven by repeat offenders, necessitating increased accountability.
"That got out of the Senate yesterday and was an important bill," said Bell. "We're seeing the same people who are running from law enforcement."
"What this legislation did was add some enhancements. If you're on an ankle monitor, if you're currently on bond, things of that nature, then it enhances it," he added. "We need to get those people off the street who don't care about anybody else. Every time they see blue lights, they run. So, if it's a second offense within five years, it's enhancements. There's a third offense within seven years, it's enhancements. Why are they running? Because they've done something else, or they're avoiding something."
The lawmaker revealed the average number of police chases per week on I-20, noting that many are initiated by those out of state, particularly from Georgia.
"I would say three to four times a week, with just stolen vehicles. We get a lot of hits out of Georgia coming over," stated Bell. "One was a Cadillac and went into Walmart, smashed the counter, stole a bunch of stuff, and took off in a Cadillac. And there's the chase headed back to Atlanta."
He added, "It seems like we end up right inside the Georgia line, is where [law enforcement] ends up getting them, but they don't care."
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