The Arvada Police Department has started to use GPS tracking darts, and the new tech may completely change police work in Colorado as we know it.
The Arvada Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in Colorado to implement GPS tracking darts to track suspect vehicles. The darts are engaged from squad cars, which will severely minimize the dangers for both police, citizens, and even suspects. StarCase has developed the GPS tracking darts, and use real time GPS imaging to give officers a strong advantage over speeders and those trying to flee the law. The goal is to deploy a GPS tracking dart in leu of participating in a dangerous high-speed chase.
While it all sounds very James Bond, the technology will significantly reduce the traffic dangers and have already shown to be very effective. Instead of speeding through side streets or high ways, officers can simply and safely track the suspected vehicle. The darts utilize a special adhesive and proprietary technology that will prevent suspects from removing devices.
The Arvada Police Department and leaders at the ACLU say GPS tracking darts, when being used as intended, are legal under constitutional protections against warrantless searching and tracking.
The cost for the GSP tracking dart upgrades will be roughly $5,000. The cost includes outfitting each car with the dart-launcher, and training for the officers to use it.
For the Arvada Police Department, and departments in more than 30 states, the GPS darts have proved to be extremely helpful. Arvada has been using the darts for the past nine months and have seen an 85 percent success rate.
As the darts show their worth within law enforcement, a handful of agencies in the Denver metro area are expressing interest in investing in the GPS tracking darts.
