A dramatic police pursuit in the west suburbs of Chicago ended with the help of a cutting-edge technology called “Star Chase,” a GPS tracking dart that can be deployed from a squad car’s bumper. The device, which has been used by several suburban police departments, uses a powerful magnet to attach to a fleeing vehicle and track its location in real-time.
On Thursday, Oak Park police were able to use the Star Chase device to track down two suspects who allegedly fled from Elmhurst to Oak Park after breaking into a liquor store. The suspects were eventually arrested, thanks to the tracking information provided by the Star Chase device.
The Oak Brook Police Department, which uses the Star Chase technology on a nearly weekly basis, says it has been a game-changer in their pursuit efforts. The department’s police chief, Brian Strockis, credits the technology with helping to keep the public safer and allowing officers to apprehend suspects more quickly.
The Star Chase device consists of a small GPS tracking device and a powerful magnet that is shot out of the squad car’s bumper. The magnet attaches to the fleeing vehicle, allowing officers to track its location in real-time. The technology has been praised by law enforcement officials, who say it has reduced the risk of injury or death during high-speed pursuits.
The use of Star Chase technology has also caught the attention of Chicago aldermen, who are interested in implementing the system for the Chicago Police Department. The units cost around $7,000 each, but officials say the potential savings in terms of reduced settlements and improved public safety make it a worthwhile investment.
The city of Chicago has paid out nearly $100 million in settlements related to police pursuit crashes between 2015 and 2020, according to data obtained by WGN. The use of Star Chase technology could potentially help reduce these costs and improve public safety.
