18-03-2025
Florida bill would increase penalties for fleeing, eluding police
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida lawmakers want to increase penalties for those who try to get away from law enforcement.
On Saturday, the Florida Highway Patrol chased a man in South Tampa, who authorities say stole an ambulance. They also said he'd been drinking.
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In January, 8 On Your Side sat down with Dan LaFontaine and his son, who had just been in a car wreck. LaFontaine had just picked up his son from school when a man running from police in a stolen car crashed into them and another car.
'We're all very fortunate — even the driver, even the perpetrator is lucky to be alive. Because it was carnage; it was total destruction. I've never seen anything like that,' LaFontaine said. 'You have innocent bystanders like myself who were just coming from picking up my son from school and had no idea what was about to take place.'
House Bill 113 would address people fleeing or attempting to elude police.
Representative Ryan Chamberlin, who proposed the bill, had his office answer questions over email.
'This legislation raises the scoring so that a second offense is mandatory jail time, when it comes to the high-speed chase aspect specifically,' they said. 'House Bill 113's intended goal is to deter and reduce the amount of individual's fleeing from law enforcement officers, which will ultimately save lives.'
Pursuit Safety, a group working to prevent tragedies of police pursuits, said the bill needs to add the balance of public safety.
'We always need to keep in mind not only the safety of the public in general, but the person that we're chasing,' said Thomas Gleason, Pursuit Safety Advisory Board Member. 'If it's not a forceable felony. If it's not a gun involved. If it's not a rape, robbery, or an abduction of a child or something along those lines, Pursuit Safety feels like it doesn't rank the risk that comes from that pursuit.'
LaFontaine said police have a tough job, and said he understands how chases are always a risk. But he would like to see this bill become law.
'I'd say I'm totally for it,' LaFontaine said. 'If there were more severe charges it would cut down police chases.'
If passed, the law would go into effect Oct. 1, 2025.
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