More U.S. police departments decide not to chase stolen cars, citing preventable deaths
On November 1, 2024, Syracuse police officers spotted a stolen Ford Escape near the Destiny USA mall thanks to a license plate reader. When the driver took off, the officers held back. But a deputy from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office gave chase. Within moments, the SUV crashed and flipped over.
That pursuit laid bare a growing split in police policies. Syracuse PD, like a rising number of departments across the country, now chooses not to chase stolen vehicles. The department updated its policy in August 2024, stating that a pursuit requires more than just a stolen car. If a violent crime – like burglary, armed robbery, or gunfire – comes into play, that’s a different story. But if someone just hot-started a Hyundai? Officers let them go.
They’re not doing it blindly. In 2023, a 15-year-old crashed and died after a brief chase in a stolen car. The year before, a 16-year-old met the same tragic end. These aren’t isolated cases, Syracuse.com reported.
Between 2017 and 2022, over 3,000 people died during police chases in the U.S. More than 500 of them were innocent bystanders.
Buffalo’s police force went even further: they instructed officers not just to avoid chasing, but to turn around and drive in the opposite direction. That tactic helps avoid triggering a panic-driven, reckless flight.
Other cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City now follow similar policies. Their departments allow pursuits only when violent crimes are involved – not for stolen cars or traffic violations.
But not every agency agrees. The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office still chases stolen vehicles. Officials there believe letting suspects go hurts their credibility with crime victims. Their policy allows deputies to pursue when someone recently committed a crime or clearly poses a danger.
Those chases don’t always end cleanly. In January 2025, two deputies rushing to join a pursuit collided with another car in downtown Syracuse. Paramedics took three people to the hospital.
The trend is clear: more departments are stepping back and rethinking how – and when – to chase. With car theft a continuing (although statistically declining) concern and public safety at stake, they’re asking the hard question: is one stolen vehicle worth another funeral? More and more, they’re answering with a firm “no.”
