(Image: StarChase)
The Seattle City Council’s public safety committee Tuesday is hearing details of the proposed addition of StarChase GPS “pursuit technology” to Seattle Police Department vehicles.
The addition of the GPS tracker launchers is funded by a $250,000 grant from the WA State Department of Commerce for pursuit technology hoped to eliminate the need for dangerous high speed chases.
The council must approve SPD’s acquisition of “pursuit mitigation GPS tracker launchers” under city code limiting “material updates” at the department. The approval would build on the council’s 2023 sign-off on geo-tracking technology at the department.
“This specialized GPS tracker allows SPD to track the precise location of a vehicle for which probable cause or reasonable suspicion of involvement in a crime has been established and accomplish the task of recovery or arrest without the need for initiating or continuing a vehicle pursuit,” the presentation on the program reads.
Under the grant, 25 SPD patrol vehicles are planned to be equipped with launchers and all sworn SPD officers will be trained in the use of pursuit mitigation GPS trackers.
The StarChase product combines launchers with small GPS cylinders that stick to a car’s body. Location data is then provided back so law enforcement doesn’t need to engage in risky pursuits. The launchers can be car-mounted or handheld. King County Sheriff deputies also began deploying the system earlier this year.
If SPD decides to continue using the launchers, the ongoing cost to maintain the 25 launcher subscriptions is $37,500 a year, the city says.
OPA changes for complaints naming chief
The committee meeting Tuesday will also include a proposed ordinance that would revise the process for investigating complaints naming the Chief of Police. A 2022 update to the city’s police oversight set up new processes for complaints involving the chief but officials say the system is too burdensome “to address these complaints in a timely, efficient, and accountable manner.”
The proposed overhaul is hoped to “streamline and clarify the intake/investigation process for complaints naming the Chief of Police” and reorganize staffing around complaints to provide better flexibility.
Since mid-2022’s implementation of the updated process, the Office of Police Accountability has received over 70 complaints naming the department’s chief, the city says.
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How long before SPD injures someone with one of these?
Watch some of the videos on YouTube that show the deployment of these sticky darts. They’re basically like big Nerf darts.
NO. Stop giving cops more fascism weapons with tax payer dollars. Gross over spending. What happen to BUDGETING?
Can you explain how this is fascist? Also, this seems potentially less expensive than a dangerous pursuit could end up costing.
though I don’t agree in this case because there’s a real need, there’s merit to the notion that giving police more tools often just leads to abuse of those tools and more methods to oppress.
body cameras for instance were hailed as the cure-all for police brutality etc and it produced a whole new section of the blue wall, an obfuscation culture and private data economy designed to keep footage out of people’s hands. Drones there has been a similar debate on. it’s kind of like saying, stop teaching a bad dog new tricks. (there are no bad dogs though)
Similar to the Stasi. It’s a vast gangstalking network. It comes with many names. “Proactive Patrol” “Citizens Crime Prevention” and the ilk. You take fringe groups like the “Proud Pee Pee’s” or “Oath Breakers” or “The Bundy Bunch” and any “Mega Church”. Combine it with Kyle Rittenhouse types. Drunken people who killed someone and licence permanently revoked stalks on public transports. With an ORCA annual card. Free of charge. Paying their self imposed penance. “Part of getting sober” or worse “Doing Gods work.” They all have a “duty to protect (fill in the blank)”
Power is highly corruptible because they are so fanatical. Ruining peoples lives. The cops can not police themselves. They REFUSE to police themselves. Because they are above the law essentially.
As far as “less dangerous pursuits” go? I agree 100%…Hell, 1000%. Is the cop who killed the girl recently “less dangerous?” All the wunnerful things are wunnerful….But. The cameras and trackers have been used to stalk people from day one. Cameras as well. But put them on a cop? “Aw hell no!”. That should make you freeze in your tracks on ANY surveillance equipment.
It can all be used against us. 9/11 took our freedoms and ground them into powder over “Safety and security”. America is in big trouble right now. We may not remain a republic. Rich people like their cops. THEIR cops.
I’m generally against cop toys but if this will end the constant “oh we can’t pursue” and “the cops won’t pursue” for street racers and other nuisances, I’m all for it. What are the chances though that they end up being used for some nefarious purpose like tagging cars as a favor to ICE? hopefully the use of these things is documented well.
Yeah, the do not pursue thing has been disastrous in terms of car theft. I’m wondering why they went with the star chase system instead of the Grappler system. https://youtu.be/z_mRRJHUZrc?si=Ny04Fqs2OZY_B71c
From GigGa Gears:
“However, the recent deployment of the Grappler by the Seattle police has highlighted significant flaws in its design and execution. During a chase, the device failed to engage properly, resulting in the suspect’s vehicle losing control and nearly colliding with a parked police car. Such incidents raise critical concerns about the reliability of the technology and its potential to cause more harm than good.”
This tech is a boon for cops who are stalking their exes or women who rejected them.
Why bother with something that complex when you can just slip an air tag under the seat…
you are getting stupid
LMAO