Which Way, L.A.?
Can LA Live without Car Chases on TV?
Even before OJ Simpson led a flying parade of helicopters up the 405 Freeway, viewers in the Southland were used to seeing police pursuits on television. Now, they?ve become a staple of local newscasts.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenEven before OJ Simpson led a flying parade of helicopters up the 405 Freeway, viewers in the Southland were used to seeing police pursuits on television. Now, they?ve become a staple of local newscasts. However, Mayor Jim Hahn says that such life-and-death police pursuits are not entertainment, and the Los Angeles Police Department and the Sheriff are asking TV stations to stop broadcasting them on freeways. With such pursuits a seemingly integral part of Southern California culture, we hear from a spokesman for the LAPD, a TV news director and a car-chase addict who subscribes to a service that pages her when the drama begins.
Gas Prices Break Records in California
The price of gasoline in California has jumped to a record price of more than $2 a gallon. During the OPEC boycott back in the 1970's, the price was higher relative to inflation, but pump prices stayed below the $2 mark. Chris Mennis, an independent petroleum broker with New Wave Energy in Northern California, says the cost of gasoline will continue to increase as war threatens the supply of crude oil.
