Senator From Essex County Demands End To Deadly Police Chases – Belleville, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A police car chase has the potential to be deadlier than the circumstances that started it, a state senator from Essex County says.

Last week, Sen. Ronald Rice issued a call for a Senate hearing about police vehicle pursuits, demanding that New Jersey “precisely define” the rules of engagement when it comes to car chases.

“During the last ten years, high speed police pursuits have killed more than 55 people in New Jersey,” Rice said. “They have injured more than 2,500, with almost half of those victims being cops themselves or innocent people in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Rice, who represents the 28th District (Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Newark and Nutley), served on the Newark Police Department for eight years before entering politics. He holds a masters degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University.

The issue hits home for him, Rice said.

“In my own city of Newark, the last 10 years have seen 13 killed – and only four of those souls were actually in the cars being pursued,” Rice said.

All the victims were black and one was a just a little boy, he said.

“Since 2009, although African Americans make up only 15 percent of New Jersey’s population, they are victim to at least 65 percent of all police chase fatalities, tarnishing our state with the worst racial disparity in the nation,” Rice stated.

However, police chases can result in deaths regardless of color, age or neighborhood, the senator pointed out.

“Most chases are initiated by simple traffic violations, with no connection to violent crimes or criminal arrests and they expose municipalities to insurance liability nightmares,” Rice said. “That is reason enough to take a closer look.”

Rice said that as a former police officer himself, he’s “keenly aware” of the need to establish a balance between apprehending violent criminals and keeping the public – and police officers –safe.

While New Jersey already has “very detailed” rules for police pursuits, the requirements for engagement need to be “precisely defined” for the officers placing their lives on the line, Rice said.

Asking some tough questions now may pay off by preventing a future tragedy, he said.

“If we can keep our towns and cities safer and spare the life of one passerby or one cop, it is more than worth our effort to conduct these hearings for the benefit of every resident in New Jersey,” Rice emphasized.

POLICE CHASES IN ESSEX COUNTY

Essex County is no stranger to police car chases. See some of the recent pursuits that have taken place below.

Newark Police Officer Shot 2 Men During Car Chase, Prosecutors Say

A Newark police officer is accused of shooting two men in the head during a car chase. One of the men died, the other was seriously wounded.

Woman Killed By Car In Police Chase In Newark

A woman was killed by a car in a police chase. A male suspect remains at-large.

3 Police Car Chases In 1 Day In Essex County

The chases involved I-280, Route 23 and the towns of Cedar Grove, Verona, West Orange, North Caldwell, Orange and Montclair.

Dog Walker Hit By Car During Police Chase In Essex County

The 79-year-old woman is hospitalized and in serious condition, police say.

Man Jumps From Overpass After Police Chase On Rt. 21, Rt. 3

A man jumped from a highway overpass during a car chase that crossed Rt. 21 and Rt. 3, Nutley police said.

Police Car Chase Starts Near Rt. 46, Ends Near Rt. 23

A police chase and search involved cops from Fairfield, N. Caldwell, Wayne, Totowa and Little Falls, as well as a K-9 unit and helicopter.

Armed Robbers Arrested After Car Chase, Crash: Maplewood Police

Two handgun-armed men crashed their car in Irvington after a police pursuit, authorities said.

Police Chase Starts In Montclair, Ends On GS Parkway: Authorities

Montclair police arrested five people in a stolen BMW after a car chase, authorities said.

North Caldwell Cops: ‘Group Of Thieves’ Stole Jeep, Started Chase

North Caldwell police said a group of car thieves travels through the state, stealing vehicles “almost every night.”

Newark Police Chase Ends With Crash Near Union Lowe’s Store

Newark police arrested a juvenile – but two escaped – after they allegedly crashed a car near a Lowe’s home improvement store in Union, NJ.

Montclair Police Arrest 3 Teens After Chase In Stolen Car

Montclair police apprehended three juveniles after they led officers on a car chase in an allegedly stolen vehicle.

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