SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – High-speed car chases bring drama, adrenaline and danger, but we’ve seen how those pursuits become a little easier and safer behind the wheel.

“Wherever this vehicle goes, we can see it on the map,” said Mass. State Police Lt. Col. Mark Cyr.

This is a new tracking device from a company known as StarChase that aims to end police chases.

A dart placed by the police officer can pin himself to the vehicle they are following.

Lieutenant Colonel Cyr says that although the technology is exciting, they would prefer Negative participating in car chases.

“Chase has always been a challenge for law enforcement, and StarChase has enabled us to ensure that when a dart is successfully placed on a fleeing vehicle, police are given the opportunity to de-escalate a dangerous situation,” he said.

When the dart hits the suspect, the police end the chase.

“Once a device is placed on the fleeing vehicle, a soldier can remotely monitor the vehicle via a mapping platform,” Cyr explained. “Very accurate and almost real time”

Once the car reaches its destination, the police arrive at the scene and capture the suspect, avoiding the danger of pursuit.

Not only is this dangerous for the officer involved, but the department also flags civilians, construction or transportation workers who may be putting themselves in danger.

Ultimately, this is a test of the officer’s intent and ability to play the long game.

“The officer wants to catch the bad guy. I’ve been in this situation myself, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more comfortable ending pursuits for minor crimes,” West Springfield Police Sgt. Joseph LaFrance recounted.

Although their cruisers aren’t equipped with StarChase, LaFrance is no stranger to car chases.

“You focus so much on the vehicle in front of you that you start to lose sight of the things around you. “This is tunnel vision,” he claimed. “You are putting the public at risk. This is caused by the person you are chasing, and we must be the ones to decide whether the need to catch that person outweighs the danger to the driving public, or even the people there, pedestrians.

The seriousness of the crime often determines whether departments will pursue a suspect.

If they pursue, West Springfield will attempt to use the popular “stop sticks” to stop a vehicle.

“These are difficult to deploy because you have to predict where the suspect might go. And then when you deploy it, it puts the officer deploying the stop sticks at risk.”

LaFrance told us their department will be monitoring the success of StarChase with Mass. State Police and will consider that option if funding allows them.

“Any technology we can use to end a pursuit is a good thing,” he emphasized.

They will continue to follow new technologies to keep themselves safe.

“It’s been really successful for us so far and we hope to continue that success and maybe buy some more in the future,” Cyr said.

As of now, Mass. State Police tell us 30 cruisers have been fitted with StarChase darts.

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