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DPS chases concentrated near border

The Texas Tribune and the San Antonio Express News teamed up to analyze nearly 5,000 high-speed chases by DPS troopers. "Statewide, DPS chases resulted in 1,300 accidents, 780 injuries to troopers, other officers, suspects and bystanders, 28 deaths and an estimated $8.4 million in property damage in the last five years." What's more, "Nearly 13 percent of the chases ? 656 ? happened in Hidalgo County. Of the 10 counties with the most chases, five were counties along the Texas-Mexico border."One notable observation: "The analysis also reveals that troopers use aggressive pursuit tactics ? including firing guns and setting up roadblocks ? that many other law enforcement agencies prohibit. One expert says that DPS policies allow troopers to take too many risks, endangering the lives of officers and bystanders...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on November 21, 2010 (boomark / email).