Heywood testifies and tense exchanges at hearing on police pursuit initiative
State lawmakers embarked Wednesday to give police in Washington more leeway to pursue suspected criminals knowing that if they don’t act in the next few days, voters very likely will in November.
A citizen initiative bound for the fall ballot would erase restrictions on when police can engage in vehicle pursuits. Law enforcement groups have said the constraints emboldened criminals and contributed to an increase in crime.
But lawmakers could make the changes themselves by enacting Initiative 2113 before the session ends March 7. They took the first step Wednesday with a hearing in which supporters and opponents disagreed on whether the measure would enhance public safety or put more people at risk.
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Brian Heywood, the hedge fund manager who funded signature-gathering efforts for all six of Walsh’s initiatives, told lawmakers the point of this measure is to let local law enforcement agencies set the rules for pursuits in their jurisdiction.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/02/28/heywood-testifies-and-tense-exchanges-at-hearing-on-police-pursuit-initiative/