Elmhurst's New Way To Deflate Tires

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst police are no longer using the old version of spike strips to stop fleeing suspects. Like many workers, their strips have gone remote.

In a statement Wednesday, the police department said its use of the new tire deflation devices stopped a driver last month. A video was made available.

The old devices required officers to stand on the side of the road and endanger themselves by throwing them by hand, police said.

The new ones let officers deploy the devices from a safe distance, according to the statement.

The department pointed to a Jan. 24 example in which it said officers from neighboring towns pursued a driver through south Elmhurst.

An Elmhurst officer set up the tire deflation devices remotely and deflated all four of the suspect's tires as he got onto Interstate 290, police said. The man, who was reported to be speeding 90 mph, was arrested on charges of DUI and aggravated fleeing and eluding.

"The investment in technology stops dangerous pursuits, keeps officers safer and apprehends criminals in Elmhurst," police said in their statement.

In late 2023, Police Chief Michael McLean told the City Council about his department's desire to buy the remote devices, saying officers could stand 100 feet away.