The White Settlement Police Department is beefing up its response to car chases with a high-tech tracker that seems straight out of a superhero's arsenal. The department, one of the first in North Texas, is implementing the sophisticated StarChase technology which involves a GPS tracking device mounted on the front of their police cruisers, FOX 4 News reports.
During a chase, officers can tag a suspect's vehicle with the tracker, which adheres to the car. Aiming is assisted by a green laser, which after tagging, allows dispatchers to follow the suspect's movements, including speed and direction. Officers are then able to pull back and avoid risky high-speed pursuits, said White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The aim is to increase safety by reducing the necessity for dangerous pursuits – a goal that seems pressing given the department's involvement in over 70 vehicle chases since 2019.
Chief Cook explained, "We are optimistic that StarChase will create opportunities to allow the GPS mapping to position our responding officers in the best possible outcome to safely apprehend suspects and recover felonious vehicles." The system could also prove pivotal in instances where suspects discard items like guns or drugs during a chase. Officers can then return to secure any discarded items, enhancing potential evidence recovery, as cited by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Studies cited by the department indicate that when suspects realize they're no longer being actively chased, they often slow down, which can significantly reduce the danger to the public. Too often we have seen the tragic outcomes of high-speed pursuits. In one example last June in nearby Fort Worth, a 15-year-old girl was killed during a chase when her suspected stolen vehicle met a deadly crash.
Officers in White Settlement received training on the use of StarChase at DFW Airport recently, preparing them for its integration into everyday policing. This new gadget is touted as a game-changer for local law enforcement, promising to reel in the Wild West of car chases with precision tech, aiming for safer streets for Texas citizens.
