Was the Batmobile a Change Agent?

Newsday reports on a simple technology solution that police are considering to combat the need for high speed chases. (There are an estimated 100,000 police chases a year in the United States). When asked where I see the most innovation in government and best practices around change, I continue to be amazed at the more forward - looking P olice forces in the United States. This time, Long Island’s Suffolk County is at the center of hatching an idea to solve a problem facing hundreds of police departments throughout the country. From the article we learn:

A new technology could turn Suffolk police cruisers into something like Batmobiles and put an end to high-speed pursuits.

Suffolk police are considering modifying their patrol cars to let officers shoot a sticky homing device — equipped with global positioning system technology — that latches onto a suspect’s fleeing vehicle.

Once the vehicle is tagged, officers can break off the high-speed chase and let a dispatcher track the car’s whereabouts, in real time, using satellites and radio frequencies.

“It’s pretty neat technology. It’s pretty exciting,” said Suffolk Deputy Insp. Stuart Cameron. “This is about the only thing I’ve seen that has any real chance of putting a dent in high-speed pursuits.”

The system, being developed by Virginia Beach, Va.-based StarChase, is scheduled to receive real-world testing in June from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol, said Trevor Fischbach, the company’s vice president for business development and sales.

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