Are high-speed chases necessary?

This morning's issue of Newsday carries yet another story about a police chase ["Police rescue suspect from car fire," News, May 27].

I'm curious. I thought that if the police were able to get a plate number, there would usually be no necessity to engage in a pursuit.

We read of the mayhem sometimes caused by perhaps overzealous law-enforcement personnel. Innocent people are put at risk during any chase, but how necessary are some of those pursuits?

Susie Festa, Massapequa