You see the police and you run. Are the police allowed to chase you? It’s an elementary street law issue that the Supreme Court has never decided. This term, it will-in Illinois v. Wardlow, No. 98-1036.
Here’s a tip for those who now flee to avoid interacting with police: Lose the Nikes. The Court, which hears the case Nov. 2, is likely to conclude that flight alone can give the cops “reasonable suspicion” for a stop. So remember who owns the sidewalks. And smile when you see them. A bad attitude, while not technically a crime, could soon be grounds for a brief detention.
