Growing Technology could end high-speed police pursuits
The technology is called StarChase, a GPS tag that is launched from the grille of a police cruiser and sticks to a fleeing vehicle. If it works well — and it has met with some success in testing — the tag will allow police dispatchers to follow a fleeing vehicle via a secure, web-based mapping portal.
“We’ve had zero fatalities, zero injuries, zero property damage and zero liability,” StarChase President Trevor Fischbach told News Center 7’s Kate Bartley on Tuesday night.
Sgt. Frank Simmons, Ohio Highway Patrol Dayton Post, said,” I think any type of good invention would be at least looked at
.”
The state patrol uses Stop Sticks to deflate tires and rolling road blocks to stop some high-speed pursuits. Troopers say there probably isn’t a perfect tool.
“If you’re trying to fire a projectile at a fast-moving vehicle, there’s going to be a certain level of danger in that,” Simmons said.
But troopers also say they are willing to look at any tool that could potentially save lives and property.
“If we can get these [pursuits] stopped without any property damage, that’s a win for the public and for law enforcement,” the sergeant said.
“CBS This Morning” has reported that more than 50 police agencies are using the tagging system — and each unit costs $5,000.
StarChase is a privately held company based in Virginia Beach
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