New Carson pursuit policy to go into effect next week

Friday, May 29, 1998 | 11:36 a.m.

The old policy allowed pursuit for felonies "or when the necessity of immediate apprehension in case of a misdemeanor outweighs the level of danger created by the pursuit."

The change follows a high-speed chase last October after a deputy tried to stop a car with no taillights. The pursuit through residential neighborhoods resulted in one patrol car being totaled and another being damaged.

Another sheriff's vehicle was damaged this year when a deputy pursued three teenagers who had stolen a vehicle in Incline Village.

"There's too many people all over the country getting hurt and killed in these things," Sheriff Rod Banister said. "It's hard to justify driving 100 mph, in a 4,000-pound car, and not knowing when a kid may walk out in front of you."

Banister added that calling off a pursuit doesn't mean someone gets away. Most of the time, a deputy is able to read the license plate and get a vehicle and driver's description, he said.

"Chances are if they've done something stupid the first time, they will do something stupid again," he said. "They will have an added charge when we find them the next time."