GPS Tracking

Is the Practice Crazy or Trendy?

As if the pouty lips, lustrous hair and leggy profile aren’t enough to grab our interest. There is something else that contributes to actress Angelina Jolie’s great allure. It’s the body art.

Jolie was named one of People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful People” and few would debate that honor. She is an L.A. native, a frequent world traveler and a bit of a maverick on the celebrity circuit.

There is another aspect about Jolie for which she is well-known, and that’s motherhood. Jolie, who is partner to actor Brad Pitt, adopted three children from foreign nations. The couple also has three biological children.

Jolie has long been a collector of tattoos. She has more than a dozen. And while there is mystery surrounding many of them (a Buddhist incantation, Japanese symbols and literary quotes, for example), the one that seems to be the biggest curiosity is the number-letter combinations on her upper left arm. They are a listing of the exact geographical coordinates (latitudes and longitudes) of the birthplaces of each of her children. Jolie is serious about celebrating her children’s native cultures and one would assume the latitude and longitude tattoos are out of respect to those exotic birthplaces. (more…)

Wildlife Tracking Gaining Momentum

GPS Devices Assist in Law Enforcement Efforts in Fish and Game Arena

Source acquired from Salt Lake Tribune, Ogden, Utah, April 20, 2010 – Salt Lake fish and game officers recently arrested Jared Beal, 41, for poaching bobcats. The Utah officers had suspected Beal of poaching for some time, though they were only able to catch him in the act of poaching with the help of a GPS tracking system.

Beal sold more than 40 different bobcat hides to various buyers within the state of Wyoming in one single day. While Wyoming allows trappers to kill a large number of bobcats, it is illegal not to disclose the location of each trap. The state of Utah, where Beal lives, only allows hunters to kill 6 bobcats per year. By crossing state lines, Beal was able to make a profit from selling numerous bobcat hides.

After a Utah court authorized the use of a GPS tracking system, Beal’s vehicle was secretly outfitted with a GPS tracker. Using information gathered by the GPS tracking device, officials were able to determine that Beal was trapping a large amount of bobcats within Utah state lines. Upon obtaining a search warrant, officers raided Beal’s house where more than 31 bobcat skins were found.

Beal’s lawyer attempted to discredit the use of a GPS tracker on the grounds that a GPS tracker may be intrusive. The appeal was denied, since a GPS tracker can be used within the state of Utah with proper court authorization. Beal will be charged with poaching, and he will be sentenced accordingly. Prior to the invention of the GPS tracker, it was nearly impossible to catch a poacher. Thanks to GPS tracking technology, poachers are now on the receiving end of the trapping game.

The Time Has Come for GPS Tracking Use in This Way

GPS Tracking devices are being used in more applications in the area of wildlife management.  And, these methods are also being used by more law enforcement agencies in the aiding of gathering evidence against those who are engaged in illegal activities.  The ease in gathering evidence helps solve crime quicker which lessens burdens on investigators.

Court systems have been tested in the legality of the use of GPS Tracking devices that are used in the obtaining of evidence and have endorsed their use as long as they do not violate the right to privacy.  This makes them perfect for wildlife law enforcement.  The expanding of the use of these will continue which will help protect animals that cannot protect themselves.

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The Potential for Abuse of the System is Causing Alarm

Privacy is the Issue Once More

Source acquired via Calgary Herald, April 22, 2010 – The Amber Alert GPS device is causing a lot of commotion lately, but not all of the news surrounding this device is positive. Essentially, the Amber Alert device allows parents to listen to a child’s conversation as well as track the whereabouts of a child at all times. The idea behind the device is to keep tabs on small children throughout any given day, though the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association believes that the device could be dangerous.

The Association argues that the GPS tracker may not prevent child abduction or abuse. Further, the Association believes that allowing any adult to listen-in on a child’s conversation could lead to a breach between the trust that parents and children are supposed to have in one another. Worse, allowing the device to get into the wrong hands could place a child’s life in danger.

Originally, the Amber Alert GPS system was developed with special needs children in-mind, though this device is now been used to track elderly people, children, and others. Manufacturers of the Amber Alert system claim that the company conducts a thorough background check on everyone who attempts to purchase the system. Still, many are concerned that a background check may not be enough.

Child Abuse Runs Rampant – This Solution Delivers Help

Most child abductors and molesters are not strangers. Nearly 90% of child victims know who their attackers personally. While no device can keep a child safe, allowing anyone to listen to a child’s conversation may be an open invitation for molesters. On the other hand, there are some advantages to the Amber Alert system.

Since the Amber Alert GPS system is rather small, it can be easily slipped into a backpack, purse, car, or sewn into a jacket or other piece of clothing. In order to track and listen to a person, the owner of the device must dial a specific number from a cellphone. The voice-monitoring option can be turned on at any time. For many, this device is seen as troublesome, but others view the Amber Alert GPS as entirely helpful.

The company that manufactures the Amber Alert system has sold hundreds of the trackers to various customers across North America. Those consumers who use this device in order to keep track of autistic children or elderly parents have found the tracker to be a life-saving tool. Still, many believe that allowing an Amber Alert GPS to get into the wrong hands is a recipe for disaster. This GPS tracker (and others) will be reviewed by Canada’s Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart within the near future.

GPS Tracking Provides a Method of Staying Connected to Those Who Need It Most

Data Gathered Helpful in Fighting Addictions

Source acquired via CNET, April 22, 2010, Washington, D.C. – National Institute on Drug Abuse researcher David Epstein is now tracking drug users with the help of GPS tracking technology. By tracking various drug users, Epstein hopes to find out whether or not environment has a direct impact upon addiction, and whether or not certain “trigger environments” can be avoided.

While drug addiction is usually seen as a mental disease, Epstein believes that one’s environment may have a lot to do with addiction. After finding 25 willing heroin addicts at a methadone clinic, Epstein and his team of researchers has begun to track each addict using GPS trackers. Prior to equipping each participant with a GPS tracking device, Epstein explained that the “…purpose of the GPS is not to keep an eye on you but to study how neighborhoods affect behavior.”

Even though a recovering addict may attempt to avoid any tempting situation, sometimes certain situations cannot be avoided. If an addict winds up walking through a neighborhood that triggers a mental reaction, the response may be to find a quick fix. These types of scenarios are exactly what Epstein is hoping to uncover patient by patient.

In addition to the small trackers that each participant carries, Epstein also handed out PDAs that beep throughout the day. The PDAs send a series of questions such as: “are you feeling stressed?” to participants on a regular basis. After considering each question, participants then respond to the questions based upon current emotions. By gathering this kind of information, Epstein hopes to find out about the direct impact one’s environment can have on a drug addiction.

A New View of Addicts

If this study proves to be useful, treatment centers all across the globe may begin to treat addicts differently. While addicts are currently treated for the mental illness that is addiction, some addicts may be encouraged to avoid certain environments within the near future. At the moment, the outcome of Epstein’s study is still unknown, though many believe that his research could provide an important breakthrough.

GPS tracking devices can be used in a number of different ways including helping researchers gather vital data. From tracking wildlife to tracking the speed of a moving vehicle, GPS tracking technology provides answers to many fundamental questions. While Epstein’s project is the first of its kind, many different researchers from around the world are currently using GPS technology for a number of unique reasons.

GPS Tracking provides an efficient way to track assets, vehicles, fleet management and personal locating. Tracking systems have proven to help law enforcement officials track stolen cars, missing persons or manage fleets of emergency service vehicles. International countries are starting to see how important GPS tracking devices can be in monitoring suspects, even track precious cargo.

The Manila Metro police will use GPS tracking devices to transport Precinct Count Optical Scan Machines. They will also move 6.13 million ballots, ballot boxes and other election equipment monitored with GPS tracking devices.

The vehicles are already equipped with the GPS tracking devices to ensure the convoy follows the scheduled route provided by the Commission on Elections. The police must be able to respond immediately if an incident occurs. Police officials will haul the PCOS machines and other details from the Comelec warehouse to regional hub to poling precincts on April 28.

The police team that’s responsible for the convoy is the National Capital Regional Police Office strike force, the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion. They will be equipped with digital-truck radios and high-powered firearms.

“Keeping the PCOS machines and the ballots safe and secured is just one of our many tasks so that we could have honest, orderly and peaceful elections here in Metro Manila. The employment of GPS tracking device will greatly help us in monitoring the PCOS machines every time that they are moved from the hub to the polling centers and vice versa,” Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales said.

This example of how GPS tracking can provide law enforcement officials with assurance that if anything happens to the ballots or voting equipment, officials will be notified almost immediately. They will be able to respond quickly. It also facilitates the voting process, assuring that the voting process won’t be compromised. It’s something that other countries should adapt. Track voting material by using GPS tracking devices.

A bill passed in the Maryland House of Delegates allows GPS tracking of an individual who failed to comply with protective orders. The bill was passed in the last hours of the 2010 General Assembly Session.

The bill mandates that someone on pretrial release facing charges of violating a protective order could be supervised by a GPS tracking device. Those individuals that receive a suspended sentence for failing to comply with a protective order could also be monitored by a GPS tracking device.

If Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signs the bill into law, the program will take effect on October 1, 2010. Delegate Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington was pleased by the passing of the bill. He previously filed a similar GPS tracking bill. If signed into law by Gov. Martin O’Malley, the program will take effect Oct. 1, 2010. It is a pilot program in Washington County. In two years, the sheriff must report on the effectiveness of GPS tracking. Prince George’s County will start a similar project.

Many law enforcement agencies should adopt this type of legislation because it keeps track of individuals on pretrial from going near the alleged victim in the case. There’s history of victims being harassed by the pretrial individuals and GPS tracking would reduce the likelihood of this happening. It showcases how GPS tracking helps law enforcement officials track individuals that fail to comply with protective orders. It would also provide comfort to victims of the individuals that fail to comply with the court ruling.

GPS tracking is an effective way to deter individuals that await trial from bothering their alleged victims. This Maryland law should be reviewed by states after a few months of testing to see how effective it is and whether it’s possible to adapt it to their court system.

Most communities in America have laws requiring convicted sex offenders to register their addresses with local authorities.  While this law is helpful, it is one of the most often violated because it is difficult to enforce.  Often, sex offenders are discovered to have violated the law long after they have moved into a neighborhood.  Simply put, this law is a passive one, not an active one.

Police agencies do not have the man-power or money that it takes to track these sex offenders to make sure that they are registered properly in their communities.  Yes, they need to do a better job at this, but massive case loads often push aside good intentions.

In California, legislation is moving through the system that would require life prison sentences for violent child predators and lifetime GPS Tracking for less serious offenders.  This legislation is called ‘Chelsea’s law’ which is named for murdered teenager Chelsea King from the San Diego area.

There is a debate that rages over this issue.  Do more stringent prison sentences deter criminal activity?  Even though we have some of the strictest sentencing guidelines of any nation, serious crime still happens.  What we are left with is an expensive prison system and supposedly safer communities because these sex offenders are off of the streets.  It is important to note that incarceration keeps communities safe – for a while.  Most sex offenders are or will be paroled to return to society.  So, the more important question centers around how to deal with them once they settle into our cities and towns.

California is not in a position to add to their already bloated prison population.  Financially, it is impossible.  Added to this is the fact that the laws that are already on the books are violated with regularity.

Enter GPS Tracking devices.

Prison time should be reserved for the most serious of convicts.  In fact, it is becoming so even now.  Those with lesser criminal records are being returned to the streets in greater numbers.

Protection both short and long term is best served by the aggressive use of GPS Tracking devices.  Ankle tracking bands are regularly issued as a part of sentencing in our court systems.  The technology exists to track multiple convicts on a national basis via GPS Tracking systems.

The Need for a National System?

The laws that are on the books in our nation are not doing the job as well as they should.  That much is clear.  One thing that might help make our cities and towns safer is the adoption of a nationwide tracking system based on GPS Tracking technology.  The reasons are these:

Real GPS Tracking Covers the World

No matter where a convicted person goes (GPS Tracking signals are strong) they can be tracked.  And, if they do enter a building or other structure that is impervious to satellite signals, they will eventually re-surface, and the tracking is on again.  The location can be passed along to local authorities who can scramble to arrest the person for violating the terms of their sentence.

One System, Many Tracking Possibilities

This one system can be implemented with regional tracking sites thereby insuring that the system could be cost effective.  Not every state would have to have a tracking site.  But the beauty of the system is that if a convict were to move to another locale, the responsibility to track them could be passed to the nearest local regional center.

Reinforces Existing Laws

A national system like this could also include a database of sex offenders so that not only could the convicts be tracked for location, but also their complete record and conviction information could be viewed as well.

The issue of sex offenders is highly emotional for most people.  While this is understandable, the emotion needs to be drained from the discussion so that reasonable, and effective means of tracking are implemented.  GPS Tracking should be an important part of this discussion.  The stakes are too high to ignore it any longer.

By JAMES NEELY / guest writer

-        James is a freelance writer for Rocky Mountain Tracking based in Fort Collins Colorado, a provider of GPS tracking products, software and accessories. For information about Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. visit www.RMTracking.com.

Prison Population is Down – Technology Assists

The Pew Center released a report recently that shows prison population in the United States has dropped by 4 percent in 2009.  There are several important reasons for the trend (including GPS Tracking).  These are active trends and not passive, meaning that there are significant forces behind the decline.  These include the following:

The Economy & Financial Forces

Everyone recognizes the impact that economic conditions and the resulting financial crises have had on all areas of society.  It is becoming more expensive to administer incarceration services not to mention the cost of buildings and infrastructure needed to house prisoners.  This has forced court systems to look towards alternatives to sentencing to time served in jail and prison systems.

Advances in Behavioral Sciences

The study of behavior and the correlation to criminal acts has increased.  This intensive push has uncovered methods and inroads into reducing crime.  Even though criminal activities remain constant, the ways of dealing with them have been modified which has helped stem the tide and reduced recidivism rates.  The accessibility of this data to court systems has created an environment that has established positive help and support for criminals rather than just sending them behind bars (except in the most serious of criminal activities).

Risk Assessment Improvements

Being able to recognize and react to high-risk persons towards criminal activities has helped head off potential problems before they occur.  Counseling is readily available in most communities and it has less of a negative stigma associated with it than ever before.

Public Support for Alternatives to Incarceration

Attitudes toward alternatives in serving sentences have changed and more people realize that incarceration is no longer a prudent way for society to hold the majority of those who are guilty of crimes to fulfill their sentences.  Think about it this way: if a convicted criminal spends X number of days, weeks, months or years behind bars, what chances do they have to improve their circumstances?  In reality – none.

But with alternative programs, not only do they have the opportunity to change themselves, but also remain productive citizens throughout the community.  They can provide for themselves and their families financially while at the same time remain under the watch of the court system in paying the price for their crime.

Improved Crime Prevention Programs

Crime prevention programs like the neighborhood watch program are valuable in that they help deter crime.  With more awareness of criminal activities comes an ‘ownership’ of the problem and a watchful eye when observing what might be questionable activity.

Implementation of Technology based Solutions

Ankle monitoring systems have been used in tracking those who have been convicted of non-violent crimes for years.  Now GPS Tracking systems are taking their place because signals can be monitored from anywhere on the planet.  With the maturing of this technology comes reliance upon it to help fill gaps that were inherent with older technology.

This technology will continue to evolve, too, as manufacturers incorporate new methods and options that will help make it even better.

GPS Tracking is just one of the reasons that prison population is going down but it is not insignificant.  Rather, it is a major reason and will continue to be in the future.

By JAMES NEELY / guest writer

-        James is a freelance writer for Rocky Mountain Tracking based in Fort Collins Colorado, a provider of GPS tracking products, software and accessories. For information about Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. visit www.RMTracking.com.

GPS Technology gets Married to Photography

Helps answer the ‘Where and When’ Questions

Source acquired via News Provider, April 22, 2010 – Legendary camera company, Leica, is now using GPS technology to sell the new Leica V-Lux 20 Compact Camera. While it may seem that adding GPS technology to a camera is somewhat useless, Leica had a great reason for tapping into the GPS market. Not only can photographers snap photos of a trip or professional shoot, but they can also record the exact location where a photograph was taken.

Leica cameras are used by professional photographers (as well as amateur photographers) around the world. Being able to pinpoint exactly where a photograph was taken is a valuable work tool for these photographers. While capturing a photograph of a wild animal or worldwide event, photographers using the Leica V-Lux can now tag each photo with an exact geographic location.

View From Afar

With the built-in GPS tracking device, photographers can also file photographs easily according to location. Leica’s GPS technology also corresponds with websites such as Google Earth, so that those viewing a photograph will be able to see a photographer’s current geographic location. In short, adding a GPS feature to the Leica V-Lux was nothing short of genius.

The Leica V-Lux is not the only camera with built-in GPS technology, but it is the first professional grade camera to incorporate a GPS tracking device. Not only is this camera useful for traveling photographers, but it may also be a way for rescue teams to track photographers who become lost while traveling to remote locations. Since rescue teams can often pick up a GPS tracking signal, photographers who venture into the wild will no longer be stranded when using a Leica V-Lux.

In addition to GPS tracking capabilities, users will also be able to plan a city tour with the help of this camera – up to 73 different points of interest appear on-screen while using the V-Lux. This means that vacations can point, shoot, and geographically tag a photo while selecting various places to visit. As if all of these features weren’t enough, the V-Lux also has HD video capabilities, which should please every amateur videographer.

For those looking for the ultimate camera, the Leica V-Lux should be an excellent choice (provided that the camera lives up to all the hype). The highly anticipated Leica V-Lux will be available in May of 2010 in retail stores across the globe. This cleverly crafted camera will retail for around $600.

Technology Added to Clothing Equals Increased Safety

Small Devices, Huge Benefits

Thousands of parents across the world have begun using GPS tracking devices in order gain peace of mind. Up until this point, most parents simply placed a small GPS tracking device inside of a backpack or shirt pocket, but a company based out of Southern California has recently invented a t-shirt line that will keep GPS trackers in place.

Breadcrumz creates and sells GPS tracking accessories and products including the “tracking tee,” which was designed with GPS tracking devices in mind. These organic cotton t-shits include small hidden pockets that expertly hide GPS tracking devices. A waterproof identification card is also included inside of each pocket. The idea behind the t-shirt line is to provide a place inside of a t-shirt that will safely hold a small tracking device.

Since GPS trackers are often on the small side, being able to place these trackers in a secure spot ensures that children won’t lose a tracker throughout the course of a day. Further, these small pockets keep trackers out of view, which means that anyone seeking to harm a child cannot throw a tracker away. All of these things combined make the “tracking tee” line from Breadcrumz indispensible to any parent who is considering investing in a GPS tracker.

Help for Those Who Cannot Help Themselves

Over the past few years, GPS trackers have been proven highly effective when it comes to keeping children safe. Many children across the world are frequently cared for by nannies, babysitters, and other family members, and this often causes parental concern. Since 90% of chid victims know their attacker personally, protecting a child by using a GPS tracking device is one way to keep a virtual eye on children at all times.

With the help of a GPS tracker, parents can keep a watchful eye on children, no matter where a child happens to be. Reliable GPS tracking devices frequently come with user-friendly software that can be viewed from various locations. Many parents are quickly discovering that purchasing a small tracker is a worthwhile investment.

GPS tracking accessories such as the “tracking tee” help make tracking a child easier. As the world turns to GPS tracking, similar accessories are likely to surface. Thanks to the invention of these tees, parents no longer have to worry about a child losing a tracker, or someone removing a GPS tracing device from a child’s backpack. The tracking tee is available through select retailers or through the Breadcrumbz website.