The Register reports that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is set to test the StarChase Pursuit Management System. Officers involved in a chase will use a compressed-air laser-sighted launcher mounted at the front of a patrol car to fire a miniature GPS receiver, battery and radio transmitter embedded in an epoxy compound. The tracking device will stick to the absconding villains' car. Police can then back off during high speed pursuits, knowing that the GPS tracker and the cellular radio data will provide the fleeing felon's exact 10-20. The Register is not impressed: "You'd probably hear the trackers splatting into the back of your car – they'd need to be flying fast. If not, you'd notice the targeting lasers glaring from the pursuing police cruiser.." They theorize that GPS tagged criminals will switch on a GPS/cellular jammer or stop and "scrape off the sticky bug with a knife." We reckon the average criminal will do no such thing, and that the system could save thousands of lives lost during high speed police pursuits.
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“Police can then back off during high speed pursuits, knowing that the GPS tracker and the cellular radio data will provide the fleeing felons exact 10-20.”
It’ll provide the exact 10-20 of the fleeing felon’s CAR. Once the cops back off, it’ll be an easy matter for the felon to ditch the car and take off on foot or jack another car. Once the cops realize this is happening, they’ll go back to high speed chases to keep the felon’s vehicle in clear view.
I think the idea is long what has been needed to stop the idiocy of high speed pursuits, many of which are done just so idiots can see themselves later on TV repeats, “having fun” while stealing cars. Plus the LA news choppers and TV stations are somewhat to blame for continually broadcasting this stuff – which I believe helps to cause copycat crime, at the expense of the law abiding public.
Contemplating this will shock the I-always-watch-Oprah demographic at TTAC… But why can’t police (after suitable warning) shoot out a tire?!?
It’ll provide the exact 10-20 of the fleeing felon’s CAR. Once the cops back off, it’ll be an easy matter for the felon to ditch the car and take off on foot or jack another car. Once the cops realize this is happening, they’ll go back to high speed chases to keep the felon’s vehicle in clear view.
Why not just follow by helicopter instead, and send in the cruisers when the felon looks like he’s stopping? No car made can outrun a radio…
But why can’t police (after suitable warning) shoot out a tire?!?
You mean by having the cop in the passenger seat shoot one-handed out the window from a moving platform at a (very small) moving target?
They can already track cars with OnStar, right?
Some car thieves in KC were caught with OnStar a few years back. OnStar led the cops right to the thieves’ house, who were savvy enough to park the stolen Yukon in their garage.
Yeah! Have ’em shoot out a tire! It works in the movies all the time!
How ’bout instead, we just have the cops shoot the perp? You have the added expense of a Gov’t paid funeral, but that’s gotta be much cheaper than court costs and paying for a lengthy jail sentence.*
Honestly, the LAPD could barely manage the LOW-SPEED OJ Simpson chase, is it any wonder they don’t do well in high-speed chases? If this saves a few lives/hospitalizations, it’ll be awesome! If a couple of perps get away by ditching the car once around the corner, well, then the cops will come up with a new scheme.
*adjusts tongue from lightly lodged in cheek position.
Broderick Crawford is rolling in his grave right now…
I remember seeing a “info-tainment” science show that described a low-slung, rolling platform that could be launched from a cop car; it would shoot under the car and emit an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) that would disable a vehicle’s electrical system, causing the car to stall… but it has obvious limitations.
This will inevitably lead to “coded” ignition computers in all cars that can be selectively disabled by police; a good thing if you want to stop chases, but definitely ACLU fodder.
I think felons are best shot with bullets. Or tasers, so long as they don’t ask “don’t tase me, bro!” This seems like some seriously cool James Bond stuff so I’m all for it. When I hear that “THUMP” on my trunk and see the coppers back off, however, I’m gonna ditch my stolen whip right quick and take off a-runnin’.
Just give it a chance, sheesh! I think it’s a good idea and a good start. I don’t think most people getting chased in a stolen vehicle or otherwise would even know about this or notice the laser of the slight thumb of something hitting the vehicle. Maybe the adhesive they use won’t be so easily removed, would the insurance company rather pay for a stolen/totaled car of just to fix a trunk lid or rear door?
It’s certainly better than risking the lives of others to try and catch a guy who has stolen a car, let not add homicide because we just had to chase em’ down.
I would think shooting out a tire would likely cause and accident, again putting others at risk.
Better headline:
LAPD to Shoot Fleeing Felons.
Well Freeman, YOU can trust LAPD to shoot out at moving cars. Me and my hi yella ass will watch from the relative safety of NJ.
Not to take the comments to far off topic, but there’s a reason cops are given limited opportunities to discharge their weapons. There’s also valid reasons for general distrust of police in many non-white, low income neighborhoods. And that’s the truth coming from someone who grew up in a non-white, low income neighborhood who’s the son, grandson, and nephew of cops.
But admittedly, a Batman style GPS tracker you can fire at high speed chase targets is pretty cool. My concern would be cost. How expensive is it per discharge, assuming minimal costs for tracking (OnStar/LoJack can’t be that expensive for operational costs). Also, what happens when the cops miss and it pings/damages a non-chase car, who pays that? Or what if a discharge impinges on a person in traffic or on the side of the road. Who pays their personal injuries and personal injury lawyers?
@morbo: Please note italicized comment at the bottom of my post.
Otherwise, I generally agree with your comments. Thanks!
Anybody suffer through Fast and the Furious 2 but me? Where is that EMP technology? I think I would pull over well before they could fired anything that look that much like a rocket launcher at me.
I saw FF2. That crazy looking thing was ridiculous! You can get the plans for an EMP gun online for as little as $30 or buy the kit for only $199! I so wanna try that!
It’s a great idea that can be made even better if they include explosive tips and fire them from a bazooka.
Of all the vehicle pursuits I was involved with where the suspects didn’t elude us in the vehicle, if it didn’t end in a suspect incapicitating crash (and a few did) all but 2 ended up with the suspect(s) fleeing on foot. (Why didn’t those 2 flee? One had already decided on a “glorious” shootout, one had planned to blow the car up when we got close.)
I don’t see how this helps that all too typical situation. You’re giving someone a good 2-3 minute head start on foot, instead of being just a few yards behind them.
And for those who would ask “Why, what about your department helicopter equipped with thermal imaging?” – that’s expensive stuff that many departments don’t have. But even if you had it (and we did), it’s not even close to foolproof, especially in crowded areas or with multiple suspects.
But LAPD has given law enforcement a lot of tools and lessons over the years. I give credit to their department for continuing to innovate.
blautens:
You’re a (ex)police officer? What would be your favored mode of reducing danger in a high-speed chase?
Re Dave Ruddell…
You mean by having the cop in the passenger seat shoot one-handed out the window from a moving platform at a (very small) moving target?
No. Vehicles are unstable, inaccurate shooting platforms. A trained cop stopped on the side of the road with a good rifle should have no problems…
Re FreeMan…
How ’bout instead, we just have the cops shoot the perp? You have the added expense of a Gov’t paid funeral, but that’s gotta be much cheaper than court costs and paying for a lengthy jail sentence.*
*Tongue in cheek noted.
However, if the perp showed a willingness to run down innocents with his deadly weapon innocent-joy-ride-mobile, well placed shots into the driver’s compartment would be morally justifiable. Of course, in legal La-La-Land, it’s not gonna happen..
FreeMan (continued)…
Honestly, the LAPD could barely manage the LOW-SPEED OJ Simpson chase, is it any wonder they don’t do well in high-speed chases?
The LAPD has been denied effective tools to stop vehicles because the perp may get hurt. It would be interesting to know how many innocent bystanders have been maimed/killed over the years by these ego-driven publicity hounds.
This will greatly increase police safety in high speed chases… As for the safety of the public… Well, if I were a dangerous criminal, I don’t think the first thing on my mind after being shot with a GPS unit would be, “Ohhh the police can track me now. I’ll probably just stop the car, and step out with my hands raised”… Rather, a more likely response is probably, “I’ll continue my dangerous rampage and get the most out of my little remaining time of freedom, and cause as much damage as possible…”
From a legal standpoint, I can’t see anything wrong with the use of this device… So I think the ACLU’s hypothetical involvement would be futile and probably wasteful…