One of the most dangerous events cops can take part of is foot pursuits.
Ryan and his team went to a Market Street gang house. When you approach from the front, people flee from the back. All of those with warrants and dope head for the fence in the backyard. Even a fast cop has trouble catching someone with a 50 yard head start. When you are chasing a skinny Market Street gang member who you have by 100 pounds and 15 years, not to mention 30 pounds of equipment, its easy to see why they get away.
The team approached the front and two GST officers slipped into the backyard. The knock and notice officer yelled out in his command voice…while pounding on the door, “San Diego Police! 4th waiver search. Demand entry. They got the expected reaction. The backdoor flew open and three gang members bolted right behind it. One was swept off his feet, another was cornered in the yard by a snarling gang officer. One jumped the fence to freedom. EAST BOUND! Through the houses, was yelled over radio channel City Tac 3.
Ryan was in front and immediately ran east. He could see flashlights and officers yelling, Police Stop! No such luck. The kid was faster than his pursuers at jumping and running. The first rule of foot pursuits, when you can no longer see the suspect look below you, he went to ground. The yelling stopped as the cat and mouse game became intense. The kid went to ground. But where? Was he armed? Lying in wait? Ready to ambush an officer?
Ryan estimated he was slightly ahead of the fleet of foot felon and cut up between the houses, quietly. He crouched down below the fence line. The ear piece kept the radio quite and nothing jingles on his belt that would give his position away. Even rookie cops know to stow their keys in a back pocket. Crouching behind the fence someone yells over the radio we lost him 6 or 7 houses east of the target. Ryan was there, but how close. His eyes are now adjusting to the pitch darkness as his pupils dilate to accept more lighting.
Ryan hears some movement on the west side of the fence. It’s close. Suddenly, two hands grab the dog eared top of the redwood fence. Those hands are directly above Ryan. A former all America outside line backer for the Salukis, he is used to grabbing people and taking them down. Not too many QB’s slipped from his grasp. Ryan grabbed Lil Joker’s hands pinning them to the dog eared boards. Panic set in. Lil Joker tried to free himself. No use, Ryan is much stronger. The chasing officers now hear the commotion and light up the pair of hand holders with flashlights. He struggles and Ryan decides to do something. Ryan punches through the fence grabbing Lil Joker’s side. Joker kicks the fence sending wood into Ryan’s face. Ryan releases the trapped hand and punches through the fence but on the right side this time. Ryan has Lil Joker by both sides of the waist as Joker thrashes in desperation. Ryan pulls him through the remaining three slats of wood. Lil Joker is done. He is booked on his residential burglary warrants.
Some people run (or do things) because they believe they will get away. Some cops reinforce this because when someone runs they give up the foot pursuit. (Not many cops because this is what you signed up for) For some it’s too dangerous, difficult or stressful. This just reinforces the idea that nothing will be done to them if they run. In fact the Mayor of Welford, S.C. banded foot pursuits by the police. http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=78680. She felt it was too dangerous and cost the city too much money.
Some think the Lord will not chase them. They reason, He does not care enough about them to chase. Zephaniah the prophet thought differently about Jerusalem. “At that time I (Lord God) will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the complacent, those who are like wine left on the dregs, who thing, “The Lord will do nothing either good or bad.” What was the offense worth of searching Jerusalem? Zep 3: they were a city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled. She did not trust in the Lord, she did not draw near.”
Hummmm. I may believe in Christ, but am I trusting and drawing near? You never know who is lurking on the opposite side of a dog eared fence.
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