HENRICO -
When criminals run from police, the consequences can be deadly and innocent lives are put in danger.
Pursuits are dangerous for cops too.
Some police departments across the country have adopted a no pursuit policy.
That hasn't happened here.
But at least one local police department is eyeing other options to police chases.
"Any technology that is out on the market that is designed to enhance what a police department does or to reduce the risk involved with it is going to be worth it," said Henrico Lieutenant Colonel Doug Middleton.
And a new technology could be the answer.
It's called Starchase.
Here's how it works.
An air launcher similar to a GPS system is mounted on a police cruiser.
The technology uses a laser to target a car trying to get away, it shoots out a dart which sticks to the suspects vehicle, and sends a signal back to police dispatch.
The dispatcher tracks the vehicle through a digital roadmap.
Then, police can back off, but not lose track of their suspect.
But would it mean, no chase at all?
Not according to Henrico police Lieutenant Colonel Doug Middleton.
He says they've already tested it out and says officers would need to be close enough to the suspects vehicle for the technology to work.
"All of these things we would have questions about is how accurate and how reliable is that's going to be before we would ever consider investing taxpayer dollars in a technology like this," said Lt. Colonel Middleton.
Technology that costs 45-hundred dollars per vehicle.
"When you have a fleet with several hundred cars in it, getting it installed on every automobile is going to represent a pretty major expense. And it's not just the technology itself. It's the installation process, the electronics and all the training that goes along with that."
Henrico police say they won't move forward unless neighboring jurisdictions consider it.
Now, the equipment is being used in other states like Tuscon Arizona's Department of Public Safety.
They installed the technology last year and says, so far, it's working and they plan to put the devices in more of its vehicles.
Right now, they say it's too early to provide statistics.
Both California and Colorado are in the process of installing the Starchase technology.
Pursuits are dangerous for cops too.
Some police departments across the country have adopted a no pursuit policy.
That hasn't happened here.
But at least one local police department is eyeing other options to police chases.
"Any technology that is out on the market that is designed to enhance what a police department does or to reduce the risk involved with it is going to be worth it," said Henrico Lieutenant Colonel Doug Middleton.
And a new technology could be the answer.
It's called Starchase.
Here's how it works.
An air launcher similar to a GPS system is mounted on a police cruiser.
The technology uses a laser to target a car trying to get away, it shoots out a dart which sticks to the suspects vehicle, and sends a signal back to police dispatch.
The dispatcher tracks the vehicle through a digital roadmap.
Then, police can back off, but not lose track of their suspect.
But would it mean, no chase at all?
Not according to Henrico police Lieutenant Colonel Doug Middleton.
He says they've already tested it out and says officers would need to be close enough to the suspects vehicle for the technology to work.
"All of these things we would have questions about is how accurate and how reliable is that's going to be before we would ever consider investing taxpayer dollars in a technology like this," said Lt. Colonel Middleton.
Technology that costs 45-hundred dollars per vehicle.
"When you have a fleet with several hundred cars in it, getting it installed on every automobile is going to represent a pretty major expense. And it's not just the technology itself. It's the installation process, the electronics and all the training that goes along with that."
Henrico police say they won't move forward unless neighboring jurisdictions consider it.
Now, the equipment is being used in other states like Tuscon Arizona's Department of Public Safety.
They installed the technology last year and says, so far, it's working and they plan to put the devices in more of its vehicles.
Right now, they say it's too early to provide statistics.
Both California and Colorado are in the process of installing the Starchase technology.
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