New Device Helps To Eliminate High Speed Police Chases

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Byron Police Department will soon be using an innovative way of catching suspects fleeing from police.

StarChase is designed to reduce risk of injuries of people involved or even innocent by standers. Police agencies using the system can avoid being involved in high speed chases, according to David Respess, StarChase Training and Account Manager.

“We’ve seen pursuits and deaths on the increase for the last few years,” said Respess. “So we were able to come up with the technology to help prevent and minimize some of those deadly pursuits.”

Respess explained, when an officer spots a suspect’s car, he launches a GPS tracker. It shoots the device to the car attaching it with a strong adhesive. Then it is able to pin-point the suspect’s car exact location. Therefore, eliminating the need for a high speed police chase.

“One of our first goals as first responders enforcers, is that we have to protect ourselves in order to protect you,” said Byron Police Chief Wesley Cannon. “So, if this technology will keep us safer, it will help our citizens be safer and also keep the criminals a lot safer.”

Chief Cannon says his agency can go for weeks without ever being involved in a police chase. However, they do assist surrounding law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol with police chases on I-75. Cannon says now they can share the new technology with those police departments.

“What the agencies are finding out is that there’s about a 70 percent apprehension rate on traditional pursuits,” added Respess. “Once you incorporate and add our technology the success rate goes up to 80 percent and that’s not just vehicle that’s apprehension of suspects.”