Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

High-speed police chases have killed thousands of innocent bystanders over the years. Police departments across the US have adopted more conservative approaches to pursuits in recent years, with the NYPD in January banning high-speed chases for low-level offenses. Experts say police pursuits should be reserved for extreme situations because the lives of motorists and pedestrians are at risk. Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology and criminal justice, has been studying high-risk police activities for more than three decades. He said the risk of the Park Police policy of now pursuing non-violent offenders outweighs the benefits. "Basically by signing that policy," Professor Alpert said, "they are signing death warrants."