No Warrant Required for GPS

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/hadL1)

Gps is becoming one of the more popular systems for crime prevention and recovery of stolen goods. Retail businesses, private citizens, and law enforcement agencies all use some form of gps tracking. Businesses like restaurants have installed security systems that use gps technology. These alarm systems are can also be installed in homes. Some gps security systems even have cameras built in. These real time gps trackers allow the owner to find the location of the thief and even view the speed at which he is traveling.

Some business owners or homeowners will also attach a gps vehicle tracking device to an item of value, so the item can be easily found if stolen. Usually gps devices are attached to cars, but they can also be used for other items of value. Owners will place a gps device in their vehicle that allows them to track or view the location of their car. Sometimes Internet is used to track and view information about vehicles or other items. Many cellular phones are also capable of receivng signals from gps tracking devices, so some prefer to track using their cell phones.

Business owners and private homeowners are not the only ones who use gps tracking devices. Law enforcement officers also use gps systems for crime prevention or for tracking criminals. Gps devices are often used to keep track of parolees, especially those considered high risk. Police use gps ankle bracelets to daily monitor the whereabouts of recently released prisoners. Sometimes police will use gps signals to make surprise visits to the parolee’s location. In other cases, law enforcement officers will use computers to view the location history of a person. For example, officers can see the time and date of every single location a parolee visited during a week, allowing them to check up on any suspicious activity.

Sometimes suspects are ordered by the court to wear a gps bracelet, ensuring that they won’t disappear during a trial. In some cases, police will secretly place attach a gps tracking device to a suspect’s car. It has provided valuable evidence in many criminal cases. Although gps trackingis not foolproof, they do provide more detailed tracking information than other systems. New laws have just been passed for use of gps by law enforcement. No warrant is required.