DAVE ROSS

Ross: Save car chases for the movies

Jan 28, 2022, 6:21 AM | Updated: 9:40 am

police, car chases, inquests...

A barrier stands outside of the Seattle Police Department's West Precinct in June 2020. (File photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

(File photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

This morning we ran a story about the huge increase in car thefts in Washington state.

“From around 2,000 to 2,500 stolen vehicles per month, we’re now well over 3,000 and 3,500. It’s been about a 50% increase.”

That’s Steve Strachan, who runs the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. And he believes the reason for that increase is the new law that says the police cannot chase a car just because it’s stolen: “The word is out, and it’s leading to brazen disregard for the law.”

And that is bad.

But you heard how many vehicles we’re talking about here: over 3,500 stolen vehicles a month! Even if you gave the police unlimited power to chase stolen vehicles, are there going to be 3,500 car chases a month? Or anything CLOSE to that? I don’t think so.

So how exactly are car chases are going to solve the stolen car problem? They’re not!

Fortunately, it’s 2022. We have technology that follows us anywhere. Why don’t we use it on the crooks?

Newer cars have built-in location trackers. Why not have the state provide them for older cars too? So that we’re all protected?

But, Dave, what about my privacy? OK, fine, don’t get one.

But every cell phone has a “Find My Phone” feature and I don’t see millions of people being led off to the gulag yet, so why shouldn’t everybody have a “Find My Car” feature?

You press the “Find My Car” button on your phone, the cops instantly get a location … and they can just roll up on the guy while he’s in the rest area taking a pee. Surprise! No chase necessary.

But I have to admit my favorite anti-theft device isn’t high tech, it’s low tech and you can see examples all over YouTube of how it baffles car thieves, especially the young ones:

“While the keys were left inside the car, none of them knew how to drive a stick shift. So, who tries to steal a car they can’t drive?”

It’s still one of life’s deepest mysteries.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

Ross: Save car chases for the movies