LOCAL NEWS

Redmond police using vehicle-mounted GPS tracking system to track down fleeing suspects

Feb 4, 2023, 4:40 PM

pursuit...

(Photo from KIRO 7)

(Photo from KIRO 7)

The Redmond Police Department started using StarChase Pursuit in January to safely pursue fleeing suspects.

StarChase is a vehicle-mounted GPS launcher that uses technology to provide real-time information to the police. This allows officers to track a suspect’s car from a distance.

Follow this link to read additional stories from KIRO

“It is a GPS-enabled technology that allows officers to tag a vehicle, back off and then virtually monitor the location and actions of the suspect vehicle,” Chief Darrell Lowe said. “Once the vehicle comes to a stop, the officers are able to safely approach the vehicle and take the suspects into custody.”

The StarChase device is then removed from the car with no damage.

Lowe said his officers have had success in apprehending suspects safely since they started using it.

“No technology is foolproof, but thus far we have had only positive outcomes utilizing it,” he said.

“Redmond Police Department is among a handful of agencies in Washington state participating in this program to test the efficiencies and effectiveness of the technology in the safe apprehension of fleeing suspects,” Lowe said. “StarChase is a tactical tool that allows our officers to make an arrest while keeping our officers, the suspect, and community members safe.”

The grant runs through June 30, “at which point the participating agencies will provide information, essentially, back to the Washington Association of Sheriff’s and Police Chiefs,” Lowe said. “That information will then be shared with our legislators and with the governor’s office, and a decision or determination will be made whether or not this technology is viable for law enforcement.”

Redmond police have already used StarChase to successfully catch several criminals. Nationwide, the technology has been used on stolen cars, DUIs, human and drug trafficking, and other offenses, the department said.

Lowe said this is a viable resource to have, but he believes that pursuit policies should be left up to individual police departments.

“The pursuit laws as written are too restrictive, and while this is an additional tool, this is not the solution. This will not eliminate the need for pursuing suspects,” Lowe said.

Follow this link to read additional stories from KIRO

Local News

summer wildfires...

Frank Sumrall

Sen. Cantwell: WA will be ‘epicenter of severe wildfires’ in summer

Sen. Maria Cantwell said Washington "will be the epicenter of severe regional wildfires [this summer]" and believes we need to be prepared.

16 hours ago

seattle shooting Garfield suspects...

L.B. Gilbert

Seattle Police looking for info on Garfield HS shooting suspects

Seattle police are looking for information that would help them identify two suspects in a shooting last Thursday near Garfield High School.

16 hours ago

Funko headquarters...

Bill Kaczaraba

No fun at Funko as move from Everett goes south

Everett took a big hit when Funko moved a large part of its operations to Arizona. Now, the bobblehead company faces a class action lawsuit.

16 hours ago

Virginia Mason Health...

L.B. Gilbert

Death toll rises to 9 in bacteria outbreak at Virginia Mason

Virginia Mason has confirmed that the death count has risen to nine in a bacteria outbreak at the Seattle hospital.

16 hours ago

Skyway shooting...

Kate Stone

‘Just another day’ after shooting at Skyway apartment building

The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) is investigating after two people were injured in a shooting Thursday morning in Skyway.

16 hours ago

bellevue firefighters...

Lisa Brooks

All in the family: Kids join Dad as Bellevue firefighters

We don't often hear of a son and daughter following their father into the same job as firefighters, but that's what's happened in Bellevue.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Emergency preparedness...

Emergency planning for the worst-case scenario

What would you do if you woke up in the middle of the night and heard an intruder in your kitchen? West Coast Armory North can help.

Innovative Education...

The Power of an Innovative Education

Parents and students in Washington state have the power to reimagine the K-12 educational experience through Insight School of Washington.

Medicare fraud...

If you’re on Medicare, you can help stop fraud!

Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion each year and ultimately raises the cost of health care for everyone.

Men's Health Month...

Men’s Health Month: Why It’s Important to Speak About Your Health

June is Men’s Health Month, with the goal to raise awareness about men’s health and to encourage men to speak about their health.

Internet Washington...

Major Internet Upgrade and Expansion Planned This Year in Washington State

Comcast is investing $280 million this year to offer multi-gigabit Internet speeds to more than four million locations.

Compassion International...

Brock Huard and Friends Rally Around The Fight for First Campaign

Professional athletes are teaming up to prevent infant mortality and empower women at risk in communities facing severe poverty.

Redmond police using vehicle-mounted GPS tracking system to track down fleeing suspects