ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police Department patrol cars could soon be able to use magnetized GPS tracking devices to help officers pursue high-speed vehicles.
The city of Rockford plans to contract with a Virginia-based company called StarChase to install its vehicle-mounted GPS launchers in patrol cars.
Carol Jaworowski, financial analyst for the Police Department, said that “the budgeted expenditures are requested due to the need for technology-based tracking and apprehension of suspects and vehicles involved in law enforcement activities.”
According to StarChase, the Guardian VX GPS launcher is mounted on the front of a patrol car and can fire a GPS tracking tag to track a suspect's vehicle and communicate its position to authorities in real time.
“Law enforcement can then plan and coordinate an informed tactical response to make a safe arrest while ensuring the safety of the community and officers,” the company said.
The police also plan to purchase the Guardian-HX portable GPS tag launcher.
The proposal will be presented for a vote at the Finance and Human Resources Committee meeting on Tuesday evening.
The system is expected to cost the city $125,888.
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