Arundel bans 'stepping out' stops

The Baltimore Sun

Anne Arundel yesterday became the first major county in Maryland to ban the practice of police stepping out into traffic to stop speeders and other traffic scofflaws, saying it puts officers and motorists at unreasonable risk.

County Executive John R. Leopold and Police Chief James Teare Sr. announced the decision after reviewing traffic enforcement policies of departments across the country. It follows the June 18 death of Howard County Officer Scott Wheeler, an Anne Arundel native who was struck by a car he was trying to stop.

Under the revised policy, which takes effect immediately, uniformed county officers wearing reflective safety vests will work from the side of roads to direct speeding motorists to the shoulder. On roads with a speed limit greater than 35 mph, officers will enforce rules using patrol vehicles.

"We should not have to wait for additional fatalities to take appropriate action," Leopold said.

The Maryland State Police ordered a similar prohibition June 22, the day of Wheeler's funeral. The agency began reviewing the policy, known as "stepping out" to signal or direct vehicles, when Col. Terrence B. Sheridan took over as superintendent June 6, spokesman Greg Shipley said.

Pending reviews of their safety procedures, Howard County put a stop to the practice on roads with speed limits higher than 35 mph June 23, and the state Transportation Authority Police suspended its "stepping out" practice June 26.

State police are reviewing whether to resume stepping out into traffic on roads with speed limits below 55 mph. A decision is expected this summer, Shipley said.

Wheeler's death was the first for an on-duty Howard County police officer in more than 40 years. He suffered fatal head injuries when he was struck by a car he tried to flag down for speeding on Route 32 between Interstate 95 and U.S. 1. According to Howard police, the 24-year-old Columbia woman behind the wheel never saw him.

On restricted highways, the Anne Arundel County review found, the safer way to stop speeders is for officers to pursue in their cruisers.

Typically, speed limits around residential areas are 35 mph or less. Anne Arundel officials concluded that officers waving down motorists in those areas will prove safer than stopping them via high-speed pursuit.

"That would create a danger in its own right," Leopold said.

Teare could not be reached for comment.

The county executive said he would not re-examine enforcement tactics if they prove "ineffective" or "inappropriate." He said his administration would "meet them with new initiatives and new decisions."

But, he said, "We believe this is the correct policy to protect the safety of officers and motorists."

phill.mcgowan@baltsun.com

Sun reporter Andrea F. Siegel contributed to this article.

An article in yesterday's Maryland section incorrectly described Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold's approach to reviewing traffic enforcement policies. Leopold said he would re-examine enforcement tactics if they prove "ineffective" or "inappropriate."The Sun regrets the error.
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