New York, NY – A new technology could turn Suffolk police cruisers into something like Batmobiles and put an end to high-speed pursuits.
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Suffolk police are considering modifying their patrol cars to let officers shoot a sticky homing device — equipped with global positioning system technology — that latches onto a suspect’s fleeing vehicle.
Once the vehicle is tagged, officers can break off the high-speed chase and let a dispatcher track the car’s whereabouts, in real time, using satellites and radio frequencies.
“It’s pretty neat technology. It’s pretty exciting,” said Suffolk Deputy Insp. Stuart Cameron. “This is about the only thing I’ve seen that has any real chance of putting a dent in high-speed pursuits.”
The system, being developed by Virginia Beach, Va.-based StarChase, is scheduled to receive real-world testing in June from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol, said Trevor Fischbach, the company’s vice president for business development and sales.
“The initial results have been very promising,” said Sgt. Dan Gomez, who is in charge of the LAPD’s tactical technology unit and has seen a prototype tested on a departmental car. [amny]