This is not an easy post for me to write, as I’ve enjoyed a cordial supportive relationship with Senator Bob Hasegawa for many, many years.  But I love and care about the City of Renton, and Renton residents have been suffering tremendously recently.  Wounds are still fresh on three victims of glass shards from a Sunday gunfire exchange in North Renton, and Monday our police department gave the most sobering report  I’ve seen in 30 years on the increase in violent crime and homicides in our city.  Armed robberies are up 50% year over year, carjackings are up 70%, and homicides reached an all-time high of 7 in 2022.

Statewide, motorists are getting killed at a 21 % faster rate than two years ago, as police must let speeding reckless drivers and likely DUIs that they can’t stop to interview go on their way.  This has resulted in an additional 200 families burying loved ones, lost needlessly to legislation preventing police officers from properly protecting our roads and highways.

Senator Hasegawa (D), who serves the 11th district (Renton, Tukwila, Kent) meanwhile released a letter praising himself for this police pursuit legislation, saying the number of people killed in statewide police chases dropped from 9 to 3 in the last 1.5 years (saving an estimated 4 fleeing suspects and 2 innocent bystanders).  As long as he ignores the collateral hundreds killed by reckless driving and hundreds more killed by criminal violence, I guess he can feel good about saving these six.

One of the worst things Senator Hasegawa does in his letter is essentially blame the very police officers he himself has incapacitated for the rise in crime. He even gives them illegal advice.  “Police can still give chase during instances of DUI” he writes, neglecting that police need “reasonable suspicion of DUI” to do this,  which they can’t get by just watching a driver weave his way down the road.  Reasonable suspicion of DUI comes from an interview after police have made a traffic stop for a driving infraction; and police can’t pursue for an infraction.  And he tells them they can chase in instances of violent crimes, without telling them their evidence must meet the standard of probable cause, the same standard needed for an arrest (which is usually not available until after questioning and investigation).  Fortunately, police officers know better than Senator Hasegawa what they are allowed to do under the law since attorneys have had to be in close contact with officers since this ill-conceived law was first rolled out.

Senator Hasegawa’s 11th district used to be mostly in Seattle, but the district boundaries were moved in 2020 and his district is now Renton, Tukwila and Kent.  His 11th district house colleagues, Steve Bergquist (D) and David Hackney (D) are demonstrating an understanding of the needs and desires of the new 11th district constituency, and they are working to restore police pursuits.  I’m sure it is harder for them when their senior colleague in the senate sends misleading letters to their constituency.  Senator Hasegawa should instead be leading as a mature, steady hand, helping his House colleagues protect their district and the state in this frightening time of rising crime.  If he can’t serve that role for the people of his district, he should plan for his retirement.

______________________________________________________________

Here are the words in Senator Hasegawa’s letter:

Addressing high-speed police chases

One of the issues my office has been hearing a lot about this year is high-speed chases by law enforcement. I understand the frustration many of our neighbors feel as they have seen or even experienced crime in our communities, and it can be even more frustrating when you are told by police that they can’t do their jobs.

I want to clear up a few points, though. In 2021, we passed House Bill 1054 to restrict the use of high-speed chases by police for low level infractions, and out of caution for bystanders who often end up unwittingly in the middle of a dangerous chase. In the year and a half before the bill was implemented, 9 people were killed in high-speed police chases. In the year and a half since, only 3 people were – marking a 67% decrease in deaths.

This does not, however, mean that police are unable to do their jobs and protect our communities. In fact, we passed this law to further increase safety for our neighbors. Police can still give chase during instances of DUI, sexual violence, and violent crimes where the potential danger presented by the suspect is greater than the danger presented by the chase itself.

However, there has been some confusion by police about the interpretation of this bill, and we are working on clearing up those concerns this session. Senate Bill 5533 would fund local police departments to use new technology that comes with less risk than a high-speed chase and convene a group of law enforcement officers and community members to come together to study and recommend best practices as we move forward.

You can read more about this bill and issue in a recent article by my colleagues Sen. Trudeau and Rep. Mena.

I understand how crucial it is that each of our neighbors feels and actually is safe in our community. I give my thanks to all of you who have voiced your perspective on this issue. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you and my colleagues throughout session and beyond.

Stay in touch

As always, your feedback is a crucial part of the lawmaking process. You can reach out to me at Bob.Hasegawa@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7616 with feedback. I look forward to hearing all your thoughtful ideas throughout the legislative session.

In solidarity,