Deputies in Suffolk County are currently testing an innovative gun that attaches to the bumper of patrol cars. This device can shoot GPS darts at vehicles during high-speed pursuits.
Referred to as StarChase, this technology has already helped in the apprehension of drunk drivers who attempted to evade police, officials reported on Thursday.
The initiative started a few weeks ago and is part of a pilot program by the department’s DWI Enforcement Unit, making them the first in the county to use this technology.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. stated, “We have witnessed multiple individuals attempting to escape arrest, putting themselves, our officers, and the public at risk.”
He added, “The DWI teams utilizing StarChase GPS technology have secure access to real-time data about location, speed, and direction, which can aid in capturing suspects during high-risk situations.”
If a driver indicates they won’t stop, police are authorized to deploy a GPS tag onto the back of the fleeing vehicle. The effective range of the dart gun hasn’t been disclosed.
Once attached, officers can monitor the vehicle’s real-time location, speed, and direction without needing to engage in a chase.
If the driver eventually stops, believing they’ve escaped, police can then make an unexpected arrest.
Officials claim that this system has an 85% success rate in addressing various offenses, including drunk driving, vehicle theft, and even cases of human trafficking and drugs. There are plans to broaden its use beyond DWI enforcement across the county.
A new pilot has just launched, with Suffolk County joining the ranks of New York City police and Old Westbury Police Department in Nassau County, which will also adopt the technology in 2023.
Many locals seem to be in favor of this new approach.
Wilma Ramos, a resident of Horstville, expressed her support: “This is fantastic. With this kind of technology, there’s no need for police to engage in risky high-speed chases that put lives in danger, whether on Long Island or city streets.”
