FERGUSON, Mo. – The Ferguson Police Department is sounding the alarm with the new Valentine’s Law. It is now in effect after a startling rise in drivers fleeing traffic stops.
Ferguson Police have encountered 86 incidents so far this year alone. Under the new Valentine’s Law, the consequences of running from a traffic stop are now more severe. If your actions create a substantial risk of injury, you’re looking at a class D felony—meaning a minimum of one year in prison, no probation, and no parole.
“If the goal is to deter people from pulling off when an officer pulls them over, I think a year in jail would certainly motivate me to stay still. Is it appropriate? I don’t know; I guess that depends on the extent to which this is effective,” resident Dobbie Herron said.
But it doesn’t stop there. If someone gets hurt during your escape from police, you now could be sentenced up to 15 years behind bars. If your actions result in someone’s death, they could face another 10 to 30 years or even life in prison. Some citizens we talked to believe the community should have been involved in this decision.
“I do think the people should have been involved before they passed it. I think we should’ve had as citizens a chance to speak. If it was a good thing or if it was not a good thing,” Mary Burns, resident, said.
The law leaves no room for ambiguity. That means even if you believe a stop is unlawful, that is not a defense. Once a police officer signals you to pull over, feeling becomes a much bigger ordeal.
It’s a law designed with a clear purpose: to protect the public and law enforcement officers by ensuring that fleeing a stop carries significant consequences.
“I think it’s a good thing, if it doesn’t (get) abused and the person that flees don’t cause an accident or harm anybody because we do have people that love to speed,” Burns added.
Ferguson Police stated, “We want our community to be fully aware of these new penalties. If you’re pulled over, please stop and comply. The risks of fleeing for outweigh any monetary gain.”
Police believe this new law is a call for the community to work together to keep Ferguson safe.
