Stop High Speed Pursuits with GPS Devices

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/4jsBq)
It’s about time that we begin to find some ways to reduce high speed police chases in our communities.  These events often include serious crashes which results in injury to those being pursued, the police officers or innocent bystanders.  While one of the ways to reduce the risk is for police to pull off of these activities, there are methods that are being attempted to make this happen.

[caption id="attachment_5194" align="alignright" width="480" caption="Police Chases & GPS Tracking"][/caption]

The latest is called a StarChase system.  The system used a propelled GPS Tracking device that is fired from the pursuing police vehicle to the fleeing subjects car which will attach to the back so that the car can be tracking via GPS Tracking.

This allows the police to pull back on the chase and allow the fleeing driver to slow down.  This new development gets strong consideration because of the following reasons:

Public Safety Needs are Considered Ahead of Apprehension

One of the main cries against high-speed chases is that it puts the safety of the public at risk.  Any time a chase ensues, speed limits and traffic signals are ignored.  The mere presence of a police vehicle spurs the fleeing subjects to go even faster.  Depending on the charges that are pending against the driver, police are more resolute in the capture of the perpetrators.  This is especially true if the subjects have tried to deliberately injure an officer.

Reduces Accidents and Innocent Bystanders Involvement

If the fleeing subject slows down (after presumably eluding the police), accidents would be avoided and it also might make them think that they have succeeded in shaking the police.  And, even if they know about the tracking device, they would have to stop their vehicle to try to remove it, which would give police the opportunity they need to surround them and prevent the chase from continuing.

Assists Police and Protects the Public

Using the GPS Tracking device as a guide, dispatchers can direct police vehicles to the exact location of the fleeing vehicle.  Using a backed-off method and a surrounding philosophy, those who are trying to get away will soon learn that they cannot do so which will hopefully convince them to stop.

As gps devices become more of a standard tool for our police forces nationwide, we will all be able to rest a little easier knowing that high speed chases will become a thing of the past.  Hopefully sooner, rather than later.