Topeka police say victims shouldn't chase burglars
Associated Press - Mon 04:09 AM 10/15/2012
Topeka police say they discourage people who are confronted by burglars from taking matters into their own hands.
Topeka police say they discourage people who are confronted by burglars from taking matters into their own hands, despite recent incidents in which local residents did just that.
During a 48-hour stretch earlier this month, two suspected burglars were arrested by police. The Topeka Capital Journal reports one of the men was brought to the ground by a victim and two neighbors, while the other eluded a pursuing victim but was nabbed by police.
Police Capt. Brian Desch says the department doesn't have a policy regarding victims who run dTopeka police say they discourage people who are confronted by burglars from taking matters into their own hands, despite recent incidents in which local residents did just that.
During a 48-hour stretch earlier this month, two suspected burglars were arrested by police. The Topeka Capital Journal reports one of the men was brought to the ground by a victim and two neighbors, while the other eluded a pursuing victim but was nabbed by police.
Police Capt. Brian Desch says the department doesn't have a policy regarding victims who run down intruders, but he said for every story in which a burglar is caught, there are an equal number in which residents are hurt or killed.
Desch says no property is worth a victim losing his or her life.
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Freewill
Monday 15 October 2012 07:43 Report this comment
So we wait and wait for police to arrive and the criminals are long gone ready to victimize the next house. who know's may they kill or rape someone the next time.
Iamgonnagetyou
Monday 15 October 2012 07:53 Report this comment
So now the police want to take our right to protect ourselves and our families away from us. If they did their jobs to begin with and the courts did their jobs these criminals would not be walking around. They would not be out there committing more crimes against innocent people. Because of this we have to take. up arms to protect our property. If the police do not like it then do your jobs better.
KSSimNut
Monday 15 October 2012 08:38 Report this comment
It's a safety ordeal. If you are willing to put your butt on the line than be my guest but think about your family when you put yourself in harms way. Far as Iamgonnagetyou comment which as usual is in far left field. How many officers per citizens are in your community. So your comment about police doing their jobs is illrelvant. Even if every officer makes an arrest there is still down time to process someone and drive back to there beat. I suggest you find a hole and stay there.
THEENFORCER
Monday 15 October 2012 10:13 Report this comment
KSSimNut everyone puts their butt on the line everyday they wake up whether its crime or anything else. The police or sheriff doing their jobs is relivant when respond times are so long. I called in an accident out in saline county 2 miles from downtown salina and it took a sheriff's deputy an hour to get there. If a crime would have been occuring the criminals would have long been gone. I do not think the comment you are referring to is in left field if these people were arrested and put into jail when they committed the crimes they would not be out there committing more.
KSSimNut
Monday 15 October 2012 10:46 Report this comment
It's called call priority. An accident is not on the top of the list (unless injury)
GETALIFE674
Monday 15 October 2012 12:01 Report this comment
KSSIMNUT ever here of protect and serve. None of that bull is working now is it.
GETALIFE674
Monday 15 October 2012 12:03 Report this comment
And one other thing if you think sitting in a parking lot with a radar gun is more important than an accident then you better crawl back under something.
Freewill
Monday 15 October 2012 14:59 Report this comment
The police are willing to put their life on the line and preach it to the heavens about how they are the only ones doing so. They should be happy that others are willing to do the same without whining and crying about it or even being paid to be in the line of fire.
DamiStac
Monday 15 October 2012 16:08 Report this comment
Wow, KSSimNut makes a valid comment and you all feel the need to tear him to shreds? He's merely saying that the police department is stating they do not condone you chasing down criminals. How is this statement suddenly so different from the normal day to day thought process? When has it ever been "encouraged" to chase down a burglar? I've never thought it was acceptable. Would I do it? Probably in the right circumstances, however the police department is saying this to cover their butts. What happens if you're chasing someone down and you get hurt? Well, if you're half the morons on this website you're going to blame the police and try and sue. So, I applaud them for making a public statement, I'd sure hate to see an article a month from now that says, "Man shot by neighbor while pursuing burglar."
Iamgonnagetyou
Monday 15 October 2012 16:30 Report this comment
This comes down to if you wish to be submissive like KSSimNut that's fine. We read about people like this everyday in the paper. But if you wish to stand up and protect your belongings and family then you take these guys out. In most places the police are spread thin some places they are not but the leadership of the department is questionable. For me its take care of business.
Iamgonnagetyou
Monday 15 October 2012 16:35 Report this comment
KSSimNUT your telling me to find a hole is big talk for a whiny baby like you. I would like to have you say it to my face. You could comment without attacking someone.
DamiStac
Monday 15 October 2012 18:51 Report this comment
Oddly, I don't think KSSimNut was telling you to be submissive, he was merely restating the whole point of the article. Be aware of the potential consequences of chasing down a criminal. You guys act like he posted warning you not to chase anyone down. The funny thing is, I doubt half of you people would even know how to act if you were robbed. You'd probably freeze, but it's easy to be a tough guy on the internet and talk down to people! I'm a grown man, and I can't without a doubt say I'd chase someone, who knows if they're carrying a gun, or what they're willing to do to avoid going to jail.
Iamgonnagetyou
Monday 15 October 2012 19:55 Report this comment
There are consequences in anything you do. What he was evading was the fact that the job of police is to catch the bad guys which happens less and less. Then the courts need to send them away but this is not happening. The more these guys steal the braver and more dangerous they become. Evidently you also think it was ok after stating his point he goes on to attack me.
GetAGrip
Monday 15 October 2012 20:56 Report this comment
If I catch someone in the process of being a burglar at my home there would be no chase in the first place. As gonnagetyou stated, there are consequences in anything you do. I for one will protect my family and property with whatever means it takes, suffering what consequences may come my way.
GETALIFE674
Tuesday 16 October 2012 00:14 Report this comment
I hear you brother I feel the same way.