FOR NOT STOPPING, ENGLISH POLICE CHASED A TEEN ON AN E-BIKE FOR AN HOUR WITH A HELICOPTER
I wonder sometimes about the use of police resources. And by that, I mean I wonder why the police themselves commit crazy resources for pretty minor things. And this situation is kind of a glaring example of that wonderment. Consider, if you will, how a teen riding an e-bike fails to stop when police ask him to, turning into a chase that lasts for an entire hour and involves multiple police on the road, and a helicopter. But that’s exactly what English police did around Blackpool, (England, of course). Now, I’m not all that familiar with policing in the U.K., but doesn’t this seem excessive?
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WAS IT AUTHORITY RUN AMOK? OR DID TEEN MERIT SUCH AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE?
Think about it: what does it say when a teen’s failure to stop on an e-bike turns into such a chase that lasts an hour, with all that man-power and the expense of helicopter fuel? Was it that the teen was particularly suspicious, riding his e-bike (possibly in an unsafe manner) in a park on a Sunday? Or was it reflexive police authority at play? The teen therefore was suspicious because he didn’t listen to official direction? I mean, it’s not like the police can say they thought the teen had a weapon. Because they didn’t, and he didn’t, when they finally caught him an hour later.
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MASSIVE WASTE OF MANPOWER AND HELI-FUEL RESULTS IN BASIC, TOOTHLESS CHARGES
So what was the grand outcome to all the police (and the helicopter) finally successfully catching this nefarious youth (or surplus of connective tissue)? Why charges that include failing to stop when ordered and driving unsafely. I’m guessing the latter has to do with any e-bike riding he did after he didn’t stop. Because, you know, the safest thing to do is obey police authority (which Black Americans may have some qualms with). But for all we know this kid was scared to stop, or just got dumped by his girlfriend, or something dramatic in a 17-year-old’s world.
I doubt we’ll ever find out, even once he appears in court in two weeks. I’m sure that will make all the people who got scared because there was a police helicopter over their homes feel better.
