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New Yakima Valley legislator
introduces bill
to go after those who elude police
Ross’ first piece of legislation responds to
local tragedy that claimed two lives
Rep. Charles Ross
views public safety as one of his legislative priorities, and his first
bill as 14th District state representative reflects that: it would
dramatically increase the penalties for drivers who attempt to elude law
enforcement officers.
Ross, R-Naches, said the legislation he filed today is inspired by the
tragic story of two young Yakima men, Bobby Aguilar and Edgar Mendoza.
They died last fall after their car was struck by a vehicle that was
being chased by police.
“Protecting citizens is one of the fundamental obligations of
government, and as we’ve been reminded lately, in Yakima and over in
Seattle, a car in the hands of someone trying to elude the police is a
deadly weapon,” said Ross, who took the oath of office Friday after
being elected in November.
“I want criminals who see a patrol car’s lights flashing in their rear
view mirror to ask themselves, when they’re deciding whether to hit the
accelerator: is trying to outrun this officer worth a year in prison on
top of any other sentence I might receive?”
Ross’ legislation would establish a special allegation of "endangerment
by eluding" in cases involving a charge of attempting to elude a police
vehicle, where someone other than the criminal is threatened with
physical injury or harm by the criminal action. It would be considered a
crime against persons and a class B felony with a seriousness level of
3. The standard crime of eluding is seriousness level 1 and a class C
felony.
His bill would allow imposing an additional 12-months-plus-1 to 24
months beyond the standard sentence range in cases of "endangerment by
eluding" and require any enhancement to be consecutive, not concurrent,
with any other sentence or enhancement imposed.
Also, a conviction for "endangerment by eluding" would make prior
convictions for certain other vehicle-related crimes count double when
figuring an offender score.
Ross’ bill is named the "Guillermo "Bobby" Aguilar and Edgar F.
Trevino-Mendoza Public Safety Act of 2007."
His legislation, which will be formally introduced Friday, is the second
and stronger measure against eluding to appear in the House this week.
Ross is a co-sponsor of the other bill, introduced Monday by Longview
Democrat Rep. Dean Takko.
“Because the Democrats have a supermajority in the House, and can pass
any bill they like, some people asked me why I’m going ahead with a bill
that has tougher penalties than what the Democrats have proposed,” Ross
said. “I think the question answers itself: I’m doing it because I
believe the penalties should be tougher than the Democrats have
proposed.
“Representative Takko’s bill is a good step in the right direction. I’d
like to take a bigger step in the right direction.”
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