This area has seen too many law enforcement high-speed chases end in the loss of innocent lives, and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is hoping a new program will address that problem.
The Office is planning to start tagging fleeing suspects with GPS projectiles fired from patrol cars – and, in some cases, from a deputy’s hand – thanks to a new system the Guilford County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve at its first August meeting on Thursday, Aug. 7.
The $55,153 purchase includes four Guardian VX vehicle-mounted GPS launcher systems and one Guardian HX handheld launcher.
Both are made by StarChase LLC, which is the only company in the country that manufactures this kind of patented law enforcement technology. The systems let officers fire a small adhesive GPS tag onto a suspect’s car, truck or SUV, and that allows dispatchers and deputies to track that vehicle’s location in real time – without continuing a high-speed chase.
The Sheriff’s Office says the new launchers are aimed squarely at reducing the danger that comes with vehicle pursuits, which remain a serious risk for officers, suspects and bystanders alike.
According to the board’s agenda, Guilford County has had multiple cases where high-speed chases ended in tragedy. The ability to disengage the chase and let technology do the tracking could make a major difference in how certain pursuits are handled.
The plan is to use federal forfeiture funds – rather than local tax dollars – to pay for the equipment, which includes installation, a three-year warranty and a three-year subscription to the StarChase tracking network.
The Sheriff’s Office plans to evaluate the results after a trial period and may ask to expand the program into more vehicles if it proves effective.
Right now, the county has over half a million dollars in remaining federal forfeiture funds even after this purchase.
Here’s how the system works: If a suspect tries to flee during a traffic stop or other incident, the deputy can activate the launcher from inside the patrol car. A projectile about the size of a film canister is fired and sticks to the target vehicle using industrial-strength adhesive. The tag sends out a GPS signal that can be monitored in real time. Officers can then stop chasing, drop back, and follow at a safe distance – or not at all.
The handheld version works the same way, but allows deputies to tag vehicles on foot or in situations where a mounted launcher isn’t available.
Departments around the country have been testing and expanding the use of GPS launchers in recent years. Law enforcement agencies in cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles and Orlando have deployed them, and the early data suggests that injuries, property damage, and fatal crashes have dropped in areas where the systems are used regularly.
Critics have raised questions as to how effective the tags are at staying attached in wet weather or rough conditions; however, police departments using the GPS tags generally say the system works as intended in most scenarios.
Guilford County Sheriff’s Office First Lt. Eric Gordon will be the point person for the Office at the meeting if the commissioners have any concerns or questions Thursday night. The item is included on the board’s “consent agenda,” which means there’s little to no debate expected regarding the move.
The launchers themselves are being purchased under a “sole-source exemption,” which allows the county to bypass the competitive bidding process when there’s only one vendor with a unique product. That exception is outlined in North Carolina General Statutes and the necessary waiver documents have already been approved by County Purchasing.
If all goes as expected, the systems may be installed and operational within a matter of weeks.
There’s no guarantee the program will be expanded countywide, but the Sheriff’s Office says that, if the first five launchers show promise, they’ll return to the board with a plan to scale up the program along with a funding proposal for long-term maintenance and replacement.
Hopefully the program will achieve its stated purpose of helping catch criminals while reducing tragedy related to high-speed chases.
How about a plan to stop high-speed chases? In my day, it was said you can’t outrun the radio. Today, in many cities, you can’t outrun helicopters.
Stop qualified immunity for police officers, and you may see fewer high-speed chases.
GPS Launchers sounds like a good start.
Every single day, a precious life is lost due to high-speed police pursuits. In many cases, those killed or injured are innocent bystanders, simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. These are real people with families and loved ones, a “heartbreaking” crisis that demands immediate attention.
Dean Crisp, a respected police policy expert, has stated that police chases are among the most perilous situations a law enforcement officer can face. It’s a fact that law enforcement agencies themselves acknowledge no aspect of their work carries more potential for disaster than car chases.
According to an FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, the event that triggers pursuit is a traffic violation in more than 90 percent of the cases, and the fleeing drivers ignore speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals.
According to the NC State Highway Patrol, there were 454 police pursuits in 2019 and 1,053 in 2022. They are reaching higher speeds, with many driving over 100mph, sometimes in high-traffic areas, areas with poor road or weather conditions, or areas where innocent pedestrians are present.
NC General Statutes 20-145 addresses law enforcement pursuits and generally states that speed limits do not apply to vehicles operated by the police amid a chase or apprehension of violators or suspected law violators.
In June 2024, Gary Mauney, a law partner with Mauney PLLC. Told WTVD in Durham, NC, while discussing high-speed pursuits, “Our appellate courts have interpreted the gross negligence standard as basically a “get-out-of-jail-free” card if you will, for police officers that are not even following their own policies,”
Before making a split-second decision to engage in the pursuit of a motor vehicle, deputies must balance the need to pursue a potential criminal against the risk of injury to innocent bystanders. More than a third of the people killed as a result of chases nationwide are innocent bystanders, according to Pursuitsafety.org.
The State Highway Patrol told WRAL News in 2021 that if an officer is found to have committed any wrongdoing, it is typically an administrative issue, and it is up to the specific agency to take any kind of disciplinary action. Criminal wrongdoing on the part of the pursuing law enforcement agent is rarely, if ever, found. In many cases, police officers are allowed governmental immunity, a legal doctrine that shields government officials from liability for actions performed within their official capacity for accidents during chases. This means that even if an officer’s actions result in harm, they may not be held personally responsible.
It used to be said that you could outrun a police car, but you couldn’t outrun the radio. However, some law enforcement agencies are adopting alternative strategies to apprehend suspects safely. These strategies include GPS tracking, helicopters, drones, and coordination with other agencies.
Several states, including California, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and Washington, have implemented no chase laws or restrictive pursuit policies. These policies regulate high-speed police pursuits, allowing them only when the suspect is wanted for a violent felony or poses an immediate threat to public safety. These laws aim to reduce the risk to innocent bystanders and law enforcement officers.
Critics of no-chase laws argue that these policies may embolden criminals to flee from law enforcement officers, knowing they are less likely to be pursued at high speeds. Proponents say one innocent life is worth more than arresting a criminal.
The issue of high-speed vehicle pursuits in law enforcement is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, there’s the need for crime control and offender apprehension. On the other hand, it is paramount to ensure the safety of all involved parties: bystanders, police officers, and suspects. This delicate balance underscores the complexity of the issue.
Thanks, Scott for the story. Sounds worth a try and I hope that it works.
Sounds like a win win for all.
Are we losing sight of what initiates a police pursuit?
Interesting. Will it stick in all-weather situations? Rain, Ice, Snow? What if the officer misses? How much per “shot” does it cost?
Interesting questions Mr. Bill
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When I drive 20mph over the Speed Limit I’m an imminent and criminal danger to other people.
When the cops do it, it’s okay.
Our “public servants” believe they’re above the law.
You just couldn’t just read the article without ensuring your negative views of law enforcement were published. As the old church lady used to say. . .how convenient!
‘when the cops do it’ it’s for a good reason.
When I do it, it’s for a good reason. I have to make enough money to pay their salaries.
The inconvenient truth is that a vehicle driving at 90mph in a 45 Zone is not above the laws of physics or the laws of the land, even if it wears a fancy shield on the side door. Too many innocent people are killed by cowboy cops driving recklessly.
they have a better reason than u . but i support these new methods to catch these reckless, lethal speeders who are fleeing arrest.
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If the drivers fleeing the cops are “reckless, lethal speeders”, so are the cops who are in hot pursuit.
This purchase might make more sense for the Highway Patrol than the Sheriff’s Department based on their jurisdiction. I’ve watched this device being used, and it seems it’s about 50% effective at “sticking” or hitting its target when deployed.
I think the comments made by Salt Life are valuable regarding pursuits by law enforcement. Our area has seen its number of tragic deaths as a result of pursuits. Unless the chase is to save a kidnap victim or stop a bombing, it seems to me it’s not worth the cost of wiping out a civilian family or losing the life of an officer.
Because most pursuits happen as a result of traffic stops (often for sketchy reasons such as tag lights out, items hanging from the rear mirror, tail light out, veering over the fog line), people who have drugs in their vehicle or warrants tend to run when cops decide to ask them to, “step out of the car”, or say that they, “smell weed inside the vehicle”. The cops are fishing for a bust, which leads to a chase, and people are hurt or killed over small amounts of drugs or innocuous warrants.
If judges would give people serious sentences in the first place, most of these issues would clear these problems up. But when prosecutors drop most charges, and judges give minimum sentences, risking lives to pursue traffic cases doesn’t make sense.
I’d rather see the Sheriff’s Department use $55,000 to hire another officer to help with juvenile crime and gang issues in the County Schools. It would be money spent within their jurisdiction on something more important to the citizens of Guilford County, although not as flashy and big city as Philly and LA, or DC.
I’m thinking Ersa has a burr in their pants over
Law Enforcement. If you’re ever in a crisis please don’t call 911
I won’t. I’m armed.
A lot of conservatives have a fawning reverence for cops. But remember this : when the stuff hits the fan, they won’t be on our side. They are armed agents of the state. Their paychecks come from government.
They will fall in line to enforce whatever directives they are told to enforce.
Just what we need a reckless driving, gun carrying
liberal democrat with a chip on their shoulder against Law Enforcement
Hey Ersa did you see yesterday another prime example of Law Enforcement doing their job. The criminal idiot speeding in excess of 80 mph at Gallimore Dairy on I-40 West decided to run from the NC Highway Patrol, ran down W Market St off I-40 hit a tree and 2 telephone poles. DOA Had a car with crap load of drugs and a stolen hand gun. Hats off to the NCHP. Good job boys.
Another criminal thug off the street
I’m NO LIBERAL DEMOCRAT, Dummy!
And I ain’t got a chip on my shoulder – but plenty of cops do, as they try to prove how big and tough they are. THAT’S having a chip on your shoulder!
Since Greensboro leaders seem to think they are good examples of governance, and want to be seen as a great place to work and live, where are the police helicopters which could be used to track down the suspects without using their squad cars to catch the suspects? Oh, I’m sorry. . .I forgot those funds were part of the give-a-ways to various local boards and community groups and non-profits.
As they say, the “eyes in the sky” law enforcement works well on those who would flee from police.
How about the Courts step up and when a person flees from Law Enforcement they get 1 year in Jail and forfeit the vehicle. If injuries occur it can go up in Jail time. If a fatality occurs how about 20 years to life. A several ton speeding vehicle can cause the deaths of many on the highways, where usually a bullet causes 1 death. With no consequences, people will continue to flee.
But what happens if they find that 53% of projectiles are fired at vehicles with black occupants?
I just watched a city council meeting where speakers demanded they end all regulatory police stops (broken tail-lights, expired registration, illegal window tints, etc) because the majority of those stops are vehicles with black occupants. The usual group of council members seemed sympathetic. Goldie Wells wants “signed consent forms” before cars can be searched.
Looking at the information publicly available, “several neighborhoods in Greensboro, NC, have higher crime rates. Some of the areas frequently cited as having safety concerns include Greentree, Arlington Park, and Hampton Homes. Other areas like East Bessemer, East Market Street, and Martin Luther King Drive are also mentioned in discussions about less safe areas”
It seems to me, if the police are concentrating their presence in areas that have the most issues with crime, which appears to be the black communities, that would skew all the data they have regarding stops. It most likely will also skew all data on fired GPS projectiles.
Great point, and completely true, thanks Mongo Jerry
“‘has-a fack-Jack”.
Those areas aren’t patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department.
This is all well and good, but most of these pursuits are from someone who has committed a crime or is wanted for one. So they tag a vehicle and perp jumps out and escapes. Might as well do a no pursuit policy it seems to have the same effect
Can I sue if I get hit by one?
Call one of the ambulance chasers who are always advertising on TV !
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Well, that didn’t take long.
Cop car in Burlington smashes into innocent vehicle at high speed on Saturday afternoon, causing serious injuries and hospitalization.
Point proven.