Police Use GPS Tracking System To Avoid High-Speed Chases

CANTON, GA -- The Canton Police Department has a unique tool in its arsenal to avoid high-speed chases that put the lives of motorists as well as officers at risk.

The police department is using StarChase GPS tracking devices to aid in its ability to catch drivers fleeing traffic stops or other incidents. The technology is placed on the front of a patrol vehicle and projects a GPS tracking device that latches on to the back of a suspected vehicle. That device is able to track the movements of the vehicle.

Canton police got to see the technology in action following an officer's attempt to conduct a traffic stop around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. The officer stopped the vehicle due to inoperable tail lights and while trying to get the driver to comply, Canton police said the motorist drove away.

A nearby officer located the vehicle, which was traveling with the flow of traffic on the southbound side of Interstate 575. The cop also tried to pull over the vehicle using his emergency lights. However, the motorist did not stop, so the officer deployed the StarChase GPS beacon on to the back of the vehicle. Using the tracking technology, officers were able to pinpoint the vehicle's location and the driver was later taken into custody by a Cherokee sheriff's deputy.

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Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell said the department is "extremely grateful" to have been able to purchase the equipment over the summer, which will be used to prevent future police pursuits. Each unit costs about $5,000 and they were installed around the first of August. The Oct. 22 incident was the first time the agency used the system, Mitchell said.

There are plans to purchase additional devices, with the goal of having at least one device on each shift, the chief said.

"We strongly believe the utilization of the two systems will further enhance our efforts to protect our community, help maintain the safety of our officers and strengthen our ability to apprehend individuals involved in criminal activity,” Mitchell added.

Images via Canton Police Department