Takko’s eluding-police bill making its way toward governor

Measure demands ‘harder time for a stupid and dangerous crime’          

March 6, 2008

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Dean Takko’s plan to beef up punishment for criminals who try to elude police in vehicle chases is moving toward final approval in both legislative chambers.        

Takko, D-Longview, has already garnered unanimous support in the House of Representatives for his measure (House Bill 1030) that would tack on another 366 days (367 days in Leap Years) to the sentences of people convicted of attempting to outrace police. The measure cleared the Senate, 48-1, today (March 6, 2008).

This legislation will be known in state law as the Guillermo “Bobby” Aguilar and Edgar F. Trevino-Mendoza Public Safety Act of 2008 in memory of two Yakima gentlemen who were killed by a criminal who was trying to elude police.          

“When criminals attempt to elude police,” Takko said, “you better believe they deserve harder time for a stupid and dangerous crime. We should get tougher on criminals who try to flee the wheels of justice.          

“Their action puts the rest of us at great risk. Their brazen flouting of the law is endangering the lives of children on their way to school, or people out shopping, or pedestrians minding their own business on the sidewalk.

“The current penalty for a first-time offense of attempting to elude law enforcement is 30 days behind bars. I want to bring that up to a year and a day.”

Takko’s legislation now comes back to the House for concurrence with relatively minor Senate amendments.