Police chases on the rise in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In 2014, there were more than 1,200 car chases in Los Angeles County alone - that's about three chases per day.

"This year, we've seen an increase in the number pursuits here in Los Angeles. I don't really have a great explanation as to why," said Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andrew Smith.

Since the start of the year through May 2015, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department have been involved in a total of 235 chases. That's a 43 percent jump from last year.

Officials say 2015 could be the busiest pursuit year in nearly a decade. The department could potentially see the highest numbers since the agency's pursuit policy changed in 2013.

Drivers seem to be more "brazen, callous and cavalier in their attitudes toward running from the police," according to the LAPD.

"A lot of freeways, a lot of room, a lot of other people around - that's the thing that really makes it dangerous. If you're chasing someone down a country road, maybe not that big of a deal if they spin out. Chasing someone in a big busy street here in Los Angeles huge results, terribly tragic," Smith said.

Yet while the number of chases keeps going up, one number remains pretty constant - the number of people who get away.

"Nobody ever gets away, I don't know why they do it," Long Beach resident Ashlee Moore said.