Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Stop in the Name of the Law!

House Increases Penalties for Failing to Comply

For Immediate Release May 4, 1998 Contact: Rep. Pete Kott at (907) 465-3777.

Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Monday overwhelmingly approved House Bill 405, which increases the penalties for not stopping when told to by a police officer.

Representative Pete Kott (R-Eagle River), sponsor of HB 405, pointed to an incident in Anchorage in August 1997 in which a passenger in a vehicle attempting to avoid arrest was killed when the vehicle ran a red light and crashed into a building.

"The crime of eluding a police officer is inherently dangerous for pedestrians, other drivers, and innocent bystanders," said Kott. "Increasing the penalties for this sort of crime will not only help deter this potentially dangerous behavior, but will more correctly align the severity of the punishment with the severity of the crime," Kott said. .

The vote in the House was 35-4. HB 405 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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