Debate Over Citizen’s Chase of Sus Car

An Albany (Geo.) man said he chased a suspicious car for over 30 minutes while talking to a dispatcher because his neighborhood had been plagued with burglaries and, “I’m so sick of this crap.” Officers never caught up to him, although they did later contact the driver. Now police say they’ll investigate how the incident was handled, but insist the dispatcher properly instructed the caller to stop his 50 mph pursuit of the car because it was too dangerous. Assistant city manager Wes Smith noted that the caller gave the license plate of the vehicle, and that it was being reported only for as suspicious—not directly involved in any type of crime. Smith said police could have handled the incident, without putting other citizens in danger from a pursuit. But the motorist responded, “It’s time somebody started catching them and I’m going to help.” Read more about the incident here.