We do not believe that the police should abandon them and concentrate their protective efforts only in more affluent neighborhoods. In order to protect all of our citizens the police cannot close their eyes to the obvious as represented by the furtive actions of the defendant in this case. 206 Ga. App. The Fourth Amendment does not require a policeman who has reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to simply shrug his shoulders and let a fleeing suspect disappear into the night. Amici would not expect the officers we advise to do so in the area involved in the present case anymore than if the action had taken place in an affluent suburb.
Flight invites pursuit and colors conduct which hitherto has appeared innocent . . .
These citizens would undoubtedly think it to be the opposite of common sense and reasonableness to not investigate activity similar to that which took place in this case. Indeed, they would be highly critical of an officer who did not do what officer Nolan did in this case. They would echo the words of this Court in Terry v. Ohio quoted above. They would undoubtedly express that view at the many community-based policing meetings and other contacts made with municipal officials in their neighborhood. Amici submit that our minority citizens would feel abandoned by the police who would ignore such obvious signs of suspicious behavior in their streets, especially in view of the fact that police officers are trained to recognize and do recognize the difference between innocent and suspicious behavior.