CityMash.com - Eight cars on the Delta police force have been outfitted with tracking darts. At last public technology has caught up to that of Minority Report and Star Trek. It’s beautiful.
The way it works is a laser-guided cannon, mounted on the front of the car, is loaded with darts. Once a dart strikes and sticks to a vehicle in pursuit, the police can take themselves out of danger, monitor, and strategically plan roadblocks, in the area.
Delta Police spokeswoman Sharlene Brooks explained the reason for the dart’s creation.
“Historically these pursuits are dangerous for the public, ourselves, and the offender.” Using these darts not only makes it safer, but it should be assumed also more fun.
In the United States, police forces have been using this dart technology since it was first developed, all the way back in 2012. StarChase, the company that makes the technology, sells the darts and laser-guided cannon for $5000 per police unit, which seems like a steal when the alternative — a drawn out police chase — could not only harm people, as has been mentioned, but also cause property destruction.
The StarChase website provides more information, including a well-shot, up close demonstration of the technology in use.
In addition to different news outlets reporting the story, the Delta Police Department has taken to Twitter themselves.
Delta Police Has Added StarChase Technology into its Fleet https://t.co/ORXsbSwmL4
— Delta Police (@deltapolice) January 12, 2017
The above link leads to an in-depth explanation on the department’s website and some pictures.