Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 10, 1992 TAG: 9201100438
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
POLICE, TOO, SHOULD USE BELTS, WARNING DEVICES
ON MONDAY, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m., the silence of my quiet residential neighborhood was broken by a Roanoke city police cruiser traveling at high speed without flashing lights or any warning. Since our neighborhood is home to many children, joggers and evening strollers, I was alarmed by this apparent disregard for human safety.I immediately called the Police Department to complain. The officer on duty explained that it was standard procedure for an officer on an "emergency call" to proceed without flashing lights or siren. His reason was that if the officer were proceeding to a burglary in process, for instance, he would not want to alert the burglar of his impending arrival.
I said it appeared to me that the officer should warn others along the route he was taking that he was on an emergency call and perhaps turn off his blue lights within a block or two of the crime. Too often I have seen Roanoke city and county officers traveling at a high rate of speed without any warning to others.
I reminded the officer of accidents in recent years in which innocent victims were injured or killed by officers going to an "emergency" in this manner. I was told that the situation would be looked into and was thanked for my concern.
Today, I am saddened to see that another of these avoidable accidents has occurred.
Now, let me get this straight. City police officers don't have to wear seat belts, but they can ticket me if I don't. City police officers can travel at high rates of speed at any time they deem necessary without warning the innocent, but they can ticket me if I speed with or without warning. Am I missing something here?
Perhaps since this fatality has occurred among their own ranks, our city's finest will rethink their standard procedures and turn on their lights, sirens and flashers and buckle up.
My condolences to the Robinson family and to the Police Department. RENE W. WIMMER ROANOKE