CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Metropolis Council voted to go a decision on Wednesday to help Home Invoice 56, which ups the penalties for individuals taking part or spectating in avenue takeovers.
“What it does is it will increase the penalties for these working these autos and causes important hurt to individuals or property by means of these avenue takeovers or people who find themselves working the car and flee from police who’re attempting to cease them,” stated council member Liz Keating.
The proposal would make avenue racing, stunt driving and avenue takeovers a misdemeanor. If somebody taking part drives away from the police, it’s a felony.
“This isn’t enjoyable and video games,” Keating stated. “These are usually not skilled stunt drivers. Somebody goes to get killed and now we have to cease this.”
“We thank God no one has been killed right here in Cincinnati,” stated council member Scotty Johnson.
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Moreover, there’s a second part to this invoice.
“It additionally does require that native police departments have their very own pursuit coverage,” Keating stated. “Cincinnati does lead the state in having our personal coverage. This doesn’t change our pursuit coverage, but it surely does encourage different jurisdictions to take action.”
Cincinnati revised its pursuit coverage final 12 months. Officers are solely allowed to have interaction in a car pursuit if the one that is driving away is suspected of committing a “violent felony offense.”
Two individuals on council voted in opposition to the decision: council member Seth Walsh and Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney.
“It appears a bit overreaching to me as a result of it actually creates issues going ahead of their lives,” Kearney stated. “I imply, they’re younger. They’re doing one thing actually silly, however I don’t know if I need them to have a felony report.”
Kearney informed WCPO final week she was looking for options, together with the potential of opening up the Hamilton County Fairgrounds to provide individuals an outlet off of metropolis roads. Throughout Wednesday’s assembly, she stated one thing needs to be completed, suggesting even rising fines and tacking on extra penalties.
“I additionally don’t need police pursuits. Proper now, we don’t pursue in these conditions. We don’t pursue bikes doing wheelies. It’s harmful for our officers. It places them in danger. It’s harmful for pedestrians. It’s harmful for different vehicles.
Home Invoice 56 now heads to a whole home vote.
