Citizen’s Arrests Too Risky Or Just Too Uncommon?

Don’t be a hero. That’s the prevailing wisdom.

But the prevailing wisdom didn’t stop several gutsy bystanders from helping run down an armed robbery suspect in the Spokane Valley this week.

An 18-year-old allegedly dashed out of a restaurant without paying Monday. Another customer who ran after him was threatened at gunpoint. There was a scuffle and the suspect ran again, chased this time by several people.

Ultimately, the pursuers subdued the teen and turned him over to authorities.

Reckless? Risky? Foolhardy? Yes. Yes. Yes.

But isn’t it also satisfying to see citizens make a commitment for law and order? It is when the outcome is favorable. But what if it hadn’t been? What would the reaction be in that case?

Parkinggate?

If you thought abuse of parking spaces for the handicapped consists only of parking in them without the appropriate permit, there’s more.

The Seattle Times analyzed state records and discovered that many people who do have the permits shouldn’t.

Some tricked doctors into signing the paperwork. Some got permits from disabled friends who left the state. Some apparently managed to renew permits that had been issued legitimately to relatives who had died since.

As a result of the paper’s disclosures, some legislators want to increase the penalties for such behavior. What would be appropriate?

Will disease scare make people come clean?

Spokane has outbreaks of hepatitis A every so often, but the current one has been complicated by a shortage of immune globulin for people who have been exposed to the disease.

Officials say the best preventative is just to remember to wash your hands. If your mother didn’t teach you that, it’s probably written on the towel dispenser in the restaurant restroom.

But has the hepatitis fear actually changed anyone’s hand-hygiene habits?

I’m sorry, your three minutes are up.

Some final comments on telemarketers:

“I would like to see the telemarketers stopped, however that is possible,” said Wanita Cary of Spokane.

“The simplest way to avoid these people is to use your caller ID and answering machine to screen your calls,” said Jim Shamp of Cheney.

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