Crime & Safety
Denver Cops Launch Sticky GPS Trackers In Pilot Program
Denver police are using a sticky, can-sized GPS-enabled projectiles to avoid high speed chases as part of a pilot program.
DENVER, CO — Denver police are taking a hint from James Bond and using a sticky GPS projectile to track fleeing cars. The tracker launches out of a cruiser's grill and onto the suspect's car, helping police to avoid dangerous high-speed chases.
A video posted on YouTube by the Denver Post shows footage of the device in operation; a small door embedded in the grill opens and the soup can-like GPS tracker launches out using compressed air, sticking to the suspect's car. The cops then use a phone app to track it.
The pilot program for the device, called Star Chase, has so far cost the department $100,000, according to KDVR. The outlet reported the devices, called "darts," cost $500, and each cruiser costs about $5,000 to upgrade.
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Police say they are deploying the device in high-crime areas where pursuits are more likely.
Patrol chief Cmdr. Ron Thomas said there's an "inherent danger" in police chases, a Post report says.
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To avoid the danger of the tracker hitting a person and causing injury, police will not use it on motorcyclists or convertibles.
The device is in its early stages, but has already been used to track down two stolen cars, Thomas said, according to the Post.
See the Denver Post's video below:
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