I first introduced Kristie’s Law in February, 2003 in response to a rising number of deaths involving Innocent Victims from high speed police pursuits in California. The law was named in honor of one my constituents, Kristie Priano, who died during a pursuit in the City of Chico. Kristie, like hundreds of others, was an innocent victim. She was struck by a suspect fleeing from her police pursuers.

I introduced Kristie’s Law for a pure and simple reason; to protect the most vulnerable and Innocent Victims from being injured or killed as a result of a high speed pursuit. As a father and grandfather, myself, I personally know I did not want to hear any of my loved ones being the next innocent third-party victim to a pursuit.

More than fifty people are killed every year in California during police pursuits, an average of nearly one per week. Many of them are just like Kristie Priano. They are Innocent Victims who got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Kristie’s Law is designed to protect public safety in California by cutting the actual number of law enforcement pursuits. Similar policies have already been adopted in some counties, such as in Los Angeles County, and the Florida Highway Patrol also follows a similar type of restraint when it comes to pursuits.

Unfortunately, the California State Legislature is not ready to adopt a policy that would cut the number of actual pursuits in California. Lawmakers did approve pursuit related legislation last year, SB 719, which increases penalties against those who run from police and also provides for more police training.

Although I supported and voted in favor of SB 719, I do not feel this measure goes far enough and will not cut the number of pursuits in California. I will continue to track the actual numbers of police pursuits in this state, the accidents that result from these pursuits and the injuries and deaths that these pursuits cause.

Although I have decided to not reintroduce Kristie’s Law this year, this is an issue that I will keep close tabs on. The numbers posted below come from a compilation of courses, which include police and newspaper reports.

“Kristie’s Bill was introduced for a pure and simple reason; to protect the most vulnerable and Innocent Victims from being injured or killed as a result of a high speed pursuit. As a father and grandfather, myself, I personally know I did not want to hear any of my loved ones being the next innocent third-party victim to a pursuit.”
- Senator Sam Aanestad

"I miss everything, everything about my Kristie. The way she would go bopping down the stairs, the way we would talk non-stop, the way she would say I love you mom. I miss her beautiful eyes, her smile that lit up a room, her laugh, her stubbornness and the way she would curl up next to me when we were watching a movie.”
- Candy Priano, Kristie’s mother

“Nobody is arguing that you shouldn’t be able to pursue a violent felon. But we’re not going to chase someone with an expired license or broken taillight on a crowded street because someone might get killed. It’s just not worth it.”
- D.P. Van Blaricom, Retired Chief of Police, City of Bellvue, Washington

Statistics compiled from statewide media reports: