Last Night LAPD had a lengthy pursuit in the San Fernando Valley. What was noteworthy about this event is that LAPD performed the PIT maneuver and spike stripped the suspect vehicle several times, but it was like the energizer bunny and just kept on going and going, albeit at slow speeds. I am informed (but haven't confirmed) that LAPD took out eight of its own vehicles doing the PIT.
At the end of the pursuit, LAPD seemed to just give up and let the suspect drive slow speed circles around them. The interesting part was that this seemed to enrage the citizens and papar***i to such an extent, that they jumped in and took over, circling the suspect with their expensive vehicles, constantly blocking his path and keeping him from getting away while LAPD just stood down and let the citizens do their work for them.
I was embarrassed for LAPD and imagined if Charlie Beck was watching this on TV, he was probably on the phone to the Van Nuys or West Valley watch commander screaming to get what was left of his units in there and put an end to this farce. But at the same time I was proud of the citizens who were saying, "I won't let my cops be defeated like this," and jumped in there to help put a stop to things.
The below video is long. The most entertaining part starts at the 54 minute mark.
At the end of the pursuit, LAPD seemed to just give up and let the suspect drive slow speed circles around them. The interesting part was that this seemed to enrage the citizens and papar***i to such an extent, that they jumped in and took over, circling the suspect with their expensive vehicles, constantly blocking his path and keeping him from getting away while LAPD just stood down and let the citizens do their work for them.
I was embarrassed for LAPD and imagined if Charlie Beck was watching this on TV, he was probably on the phone to the Van Nuys or West Valley watch commander screaming to get what was left of his units in there and put an end to this farce. But at the same time I was proud of the citizens who were saying, "I won't let my cops be defeated like this," and jumped in there to help put a stop to things.
The below video is long. The most entertaining part starts at the 54 minute mark.
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