Suffolk County Sheriffs Implement GPS Dart Guns to Safely Track Fleeing Suspects
Suffolk County sheriff's deputies have introduced a new technology, known as StarChase, which involves high-tech guns mounted on police car bumpers to fire GPS darts onto vehicles during high-speed chases. This system allows officers to track suspects' real-time location, speed, and direction without engaging in dangerous pursuits. The technology has already been used successfully to apprehend a drunk driver who refused to stop. The program, currently piloted by the department's DWI enforcement unit, is the first of its kind in the county. Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. emphasized the safety benefits, noting that the technology helps avoid risky chases that endanger officers and the public. The system boasts an 85% success rate across various offenses, including drunk driving, stolen vehicles, human trafficking, and narcotics. The initiative follows similar implementations in New York City and Old Westbury, Nassau County. 
