Cops and robbers.

Last week, L.A.'s fascination with televised car chases hit a new low when Los Angeles Police Department officers shot a man to death, on camera, after he slowly backed his car into theirs. While such incidents are rare, the chances of them being broadcast is high because so many car chases are covered live by TV news cameras. So the Business Journal asks:

Do you think television stations should broadcast high-speed chases?

Nancy Woo Hiromoto Chairwoman World Trade Week

I believe high-speed car chases should not be covered and aired on TV. It sensationalizes an act of crime. Less exposure of these cases will result in fewer offenses. There are copycats out there and people that may not have anything better to do get their 15 minutes of fame. A lot of people are looking for the ending part where the car crashes.

Frank Moran Chief Executive, President Team-One Employment Specialists LLC

Yes I think they should. There is nothing wrong with it other than the media does not go far enough to show the consequences of such a chase. Later they should rebroadcast the chase and show what happened to that person. They tend to leave it with a lot of glory and excitement. It's like Bonnie and Clyde or John Dillinger. They should have shown them dead and all the people they harmed. Show who got hurt and the consequences; they don't show enough of the negative side.

Jocelyn Cheng Director of Finance Superior Communications

Yes. It's good to do it in real time. You don't want to get on the same freeway. It gets dangerous. I wouldn't spend hours following it on TV but it's good to know which freeways to avoid. If it's happening in society, people should know about it. You don't want to shelter the community from the realities of life.

Aaron Paley President Community Arts Resources

No. I would like the television news to actually present substantial, thoughtful news that will provide insight to community. I don't think they're doing a good job of that right now. Sensationalism doesn't provide insight, it just drives ratings. It doesn't actually inform the community.

Brette S, Simon Partner Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

"I think the entertainment value of TV news has taken precedence over what is newsworthy and the advertising and ratings drives what decision-makers at the networks think should be news. It's not necessary and not appropriate. The producers of news have to pick and choose what's most important to be shown, and there are more appropriate and important topics to be focused on these days."

Jennifer Manfre Management Supervisor, Public Affairs Manning Selvage & Lee

The reality is that high-speed chases draw audiences and until people stop watching the news broadcasters are going to show it. If one broadcaster decided not to air them, they'd lose audience. It's supply and demand. If it's really a terrible thing, people need to take the responsibility on themselves and stop watching. I don't watch a lot of television, so I don't often see high-speed chases, but I can't say I never watched one. They're dramatic. It's an event that sucks us in.