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(KSL News) -- Police pursuits can put the public and police in danger. What if there was a way to catch a bad guy WITHOUT the dangerous pursuit?
The Los Angeles Police Department is testing a new device that allows them to do just that. It's called "Starchase."
It's a device mounted on the grill of a patrol car. Using compressed air and a laser, it fires a tracking device that adheres to the suspect's vehicle.
The so called "tag" is equipped with a radio transmitter and a miniature global position system device.
That allows police to track electronically the vehicle's location in real time, eliminating the need to follow close behind.
William Bratton, Chief, Los Angeles Police Dept.: "Let them run. We will basically track them to wherever they dump the car, we do that with the helicopters now, and it will hopefully help us reduce even more the number of pursuits."
No word yet on if other departments will start using the "Starchase" device.
