GPS Tracking

In an economy that continues to realize the need to change traditional operations in all sectors as we deal with a paradigm shift in financial resource allocation, the United States is embracing every affordable technological application in the hopes of increasing efficiency while decreasing actual human presence in a cornucopia of different services.  To aid in this undertaking, many different civilian GPS tracking system manufacturers throughout the nation have contracted with local law enforcement departments in hope of utilizing the potential of a GPS tracker to replace traditional probationary measures related to certain types of criminal offenses.  One of the most common types of convicted criminal that law enforcement officers distribute a GPS tracker to is sex offenders on parole.  By utilizing the ability of GPS tracking technology to inform law enforcement officials of a person’s current location at any given moment, parole officers are able to take control of a much larger number of cases at any given time.  While one of the most cited benefits of a GPS tracker in monitoring convicts’ movement is its motion-activated alert system, the sensitivity of this feature has become an increasing burden on some law enforcement departments nationwide.  Fortunately, many GPS tracking system manufacturers are coming to the aid of police department officials.

California tracks more paroled sex offenders by means of a GPS tracker than any other state in the country.  The entire purpose of using a GPS tracking system is its proven application in detecting when a convict moves out of a designated area or even moves from one room to another inside that same area.  Every time a substantial movement occurs, or even if the battery on the GPS tracker is low, an alert is sent to the local law enforcement department’s headquarters for review.  This causes officers to be distracted from their normal operations in order to check in on parolees that many times are not doing anything in violation of their parole.

However, starting June 15 many GPS tracking system vendors will begin screening thousands of alerts and ensuring that only the most serious ones make it to the law enforcement headquarters.  This sharing of tracking responsibility will help to allow parole officers an exponentially greater amount of time in face to face interactions with offenders.  GPS tracking devices currently generate 64,000 alerts per month, according to California corrections department data.  With other states already farming out their GPS tracker alerts to third party monitoring centers, California’s law enforcement sector will surely realize a greater amount of flexibility once the alert outsourcing program is fully operational.

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Implementing these Systems is Great, but What About Monitoring?

The Full Cost of Using Them Must Be Examined

With blinding speed, GPS Tracking devices for convicted sex offenders and now domestic abuse offenders are being implemented around the country.  Two more cities in New England are the latest to adopt and embrace these devices.

A growing problem is that although they provide a great way to keep track of the most serious offenders, the sheer numbers of those who are being monitored is adding too much of a load for those who are responsible for monitoring on an on-going basis.

Important Points

Here is why this is so important and what could be done about it.

Offenders Can Strike Again.  Monitoring offenders via GPS Tracking devices can be more challenging than watching inmates in prison.  These offenders are moving about in cities and towns and need to be watched more closely because of that fact alone.  Risk assessments must be performed to help make sure that the worst offenders are not allowed to be given home detention.  But, even this is no guarantee that offenders will not commit crimes again while being monitored. (more…)

Product Has Not Been Released, but Looks Promising

New Innovations Help the Disabled

As we plumb the depths of how GPS Tracking devices can provide assistant to various entities around the world, there are some proposed devices than will also help those with disabilities to better cope with the world.

One such device that has been shown as a possible help to the visually impaired is called the na:vi.  It is a GPS navigation system for those with challenged vision.

Multiple Technologies Come Together

The idea behind the system is that from the availability of GPS signals a person with limited or no vision can use a device that is attached to their forearm to get direction from internal gyroscopes, an integrated laser range finder, and a 3D user interface.  The interworking of these features will help provide accurate directions in a safe manner for the user.

Future Advances for the Disabled

Still under early development is GPS Tracking for power chairs and mobility scooters.  This is right around the corner, however.  You will see systems that have built-in functionality and those that use outside technology (like smartphones) that will provide the brains for such systems.  The benefits will be to be able to monitor movement and keep in closer contact with those who use these systems. (more…)

Warning Victims Via GPS Tracking Devices Makes Sense

The Service is Called Victim Notification Solutions

Source acquired via VV Daily Press, June 1, 2010, San Bernardino, California – Attaching a GPS tracking bracelet to a convicted criminal isn’t a new notion. Attaching a GPS tracking bracelet to a potential perpetrator is another idea altogether. One Californian GPS tracker company is presently trying to convince San Bernardino Country family courts that certain individuals should be monitored using GPS bracelets before these individuals have been convicted of any crime. (more…)

Monitoring of City Police Reveals Bad Things

More Cities Moving to GPS Tracking Devices

Source acquired via Fox 8 News, May 28, 2010, Cleveland, Ohio – many cities throughout the world have begun tracking public employees, and Cleveland is no exception to this rule. Only, the city of Cleveland recently found out just how valuable GPS tracking devices are when two Cleveland policemen neglected to inspect a corpse that was discovered on the side of the road.

A Body Discovered

Cleveland police officers Matthew Prince and David Muniz were instructed to investigate a body found on the side of a major highway on April 5. Using information gathered from a GPS tracker, it was discovered that Muniz and Prince drove past the body, but did not stop to investigate. Later, the two policemen filed a report stating that the body in question was a dead deer. After receiving more phone calls about the body from drivers, police discovered that there was, in fact, a body on the side of the highway. (more…)

GPS Tracking Used to Check on Employee Activities

Puts Employees on Notice

Source acquired via Police One, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, April 20, 2010 – Former Tyngsboro policeman Ronald Goulet was forced to resign from the Tyngsboro Police Department after a GPS tracking device proved that Goulet was not actively working during shift hours.

Tyngsboro Police Chief William Mulligan installed a GPS tracker on Goulet’s patrol car following reports and suspicions that Goulet was tending to other tasks while he was supposed to be patrolling. Residents of Tyngsboro saw Goulet idling in his car on numerous occasions, and the GPS tracker that Mulligan installed proved this to be true – Goulet left his car idling for more than 40 minutes on one occasion.

Mulligan also discovered that Goulet spent many hours at home and at other residences while he should have been on duty. Following a suspension, Goulet resigned from the Tyngsboro Police Department indefinitely. Since his resignation, the department has been using GPS trackers to keep a virtual eye on all members of the police force. (more…)