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wpcodemonkey t1_itgw2li wrote

Reply to comment by CatOfTheDecade in Car crashes into dirt bike, kills rider: Philly police by snuffy_tentpeg

There is also a no chase rule in the city to prevent innocent by standards from getting hit and killed. There is no good solution other than confiscating bikes/atvs and heavily fining and or arresting people.

“Operating ATV/Dirt Bike on Highway, Sidewalk of Pedacycle Lane (State Law Violations)

  1. Officer Responsibilities: a. If an officer observes and individual operate an ATV or Dirt Bike on any highway, sidewalk or pedacycle lane in violation of PA Vehicle Code §3722, the officer shall: b. Stop and detain the operator, only if it can be done safely. NOTE: Officers shall not pursue any ATV or Dirt Bike with any motorized vehicle, nor shall they unnecessarily endanger themselves in any foot or bicycle pursuit should an operator flee from an ATV or Dirt Bike Vehicle.”

Source: https://www.phillypolice.com/assets/directives/D3.21-AllTerrainVehicles.pdf

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CatOfTheDecade t1_itgzr56 wrote

All that and more, but see how many of them pull over for the siren.

EDIT: I misread your post. I think the typo "innocent by standards" might have thrown me off. At any rate, you're right: they can't chase them anyway. I'm not convinced that engaging in a chase in this particular case is the way to go, either. A bike is vastly more maneuverable than a patrol car, even in the hands of someone who is even remotely concerned about safety of others.

And the people suggesting "just get a helicopter / drone " don't seem to realize that helicopters / drones don't just instantly appear, can't stay in the air all day waiting for the right moment, and still don't identify the operator. At best, they get video -- and that can be worthless. Just because a bike ends up at someone's house doesn't mean that person is the operator.

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