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Get Ready for More Police Lights & Sirens
Photo by stevelyon via Flickr
When you see a patrol car speeding by with its lights and sirens blaring, that's a Code 3 call, otherwise known as someone or something is in danger right now. It's these cases when officers can break the law by speeding and running red lights. But there's an old school rule on the books: in general, when responding to emergencies, only one unit is allowed to go Code 3 and all other cars must come via street law. Obviously, that doesn't help in situations when more units are needed immediately.
The LAPD has generally ignored this city governing law using an unofficial code called "Code 2 High" (or as the LA Times calls it, Code 2 1/2). This usually enacted by the officers in the cars who believe they need to get to an incident faster than normal traffic allows.
Now they want the law changed to better reflect their needs. The LAPD Commission passed the new policy change, but City Council in a rare move interfered and took the issue up themselves. Yesterday, a council committee passed the policy and it will head next to the full council where it is expected to be passed.
Code 2 usually means someone or something might be in danger and units may not break the law. Non-coded calls are low priority ones such as loud parties.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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