According to a 2014 study released by the Yale Law Journal, using GPS tracking for covert tracking operations for law enforcement departments is incredibly less expensive than utilizing officers for covert tracking operations. In fact, the study estimated the cost of GPS tracking to be 1000 times more affordable than tracking vehicles the old fashioned way, with officers trailing behind their target in unmarked vehicles.
In the study, the cost comparisons are dramatic– covert tracking using the standard 5 car surveillance box strategy is estimated to cost $275 dollars per hour, yet the cost of GPS tracking for law enforcement covert tracking can range from just 36-cents to around $5 per hour.
GPS tracking for law enforcement has been described as a “game changer” in the law enforcement community for both its cost effectiveness and the number of vehicles that can be tracked simultaneously.
The study included both cell phone GPS tracking units, and GPS tracking systems mounted to target vehicles.
Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2014/01/09/cell-phones-let-cops-track-people-for-a-thousandth-of-the-price-study-finds/
Visit www.trackingtheworld.com for more information on professional grade GPS tracking systems.
It’s hard to believe that the history of man wanting to know his location on this planet dates back as far as the 1st Century and a stone with magnetic properties known as lodestone, but it does. For more than two thousand years, humans have searched for and developed tools to help them navigate land and sea. Beginning with Chinese lodestone ladles, the monumental efforts of mapping our seas, and the development of the compass, GPS tracking history is rich with landmark developments that have led us to where we are today. Here’s a great article on the history of GPS tracking:
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/04/you-are-here-book-hiawatha-bray-gps-navigation
According to the LA Times, a California appellate court ruled on Thursday that holding a cell phone while driving for the purpose of viewing GPS tracking applications is legal. The appeals case is the result of a Fresno man contesting a ticket he received for using the GPS tracking software application on his cell phone (in hand) to figure out how to avert being caught in a traffic jam. After receiving the ticket, the man argued that the 2006 law banned only talking on cell phones while driving–unless a hands-free device is used. After losing in lower courts, the appellate court reversed the earlier decisions, citing that the 2006 law came into effect during a time when cell phones were largely used for talking only–not the myriad of available cell phone apps, including GPS tracking apps, used today. In addition, the appellate opinion stated that banning handling of a cell phone to use a GPS tracking app while driving could also lead to “ridiculous” outcomes, including making it illegal to check a phone for the current time, or simply moving the phone around in the car, for example, from a dashboard to a seat while driving.
Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-cellphone-court-20140228,0,3881509.story#axzz2uejZggdq
In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of 19 Arizona firefighters, the Florida Forest Service is outfitting its firefighters on the frontlines with GPS tracking systems. Using GPS tracking software, supervisors will know the location of each firefighter at any time, and be able to reach them more quickly in the event of an emergency.
The new GPS tracking program is being implemented in hopes of increasing the safety of those closest to potentially deadly blazes, including those using bulldozers to push back fire lines. According to the forest service, the program is possibly the first of its kind for firefighters. The GPS tracking program does not require cell phone or Internet service, but rather relies on “packets” of electronic information sent to supervisors’ laptops provided they are within a two mile range of the GPS tracking device.
Here are the latest bits of GPS tracking news we’ve found around the Web this week.
A vehicle linked to country music star, Wynonna Judd, was discovered to have been outfitted with a GPS tracking device. The device was discovered by a muffler shop and removed by police. Here’s the original story: http://tasteofcountry.com/gps-tracking-device-wynonna-judd/.
Robertson County, TN school may soon be getting GPS tracking software for school buses to monitor bus location and driving behavior of bus drivers. After approved by the school board, the he project is now under consideration by county officials. Source: http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20131113/ROBERTSON01/311130067/Buses-may-get-GPS-tracking
Wildlife biologists in Montana have successfully used GPS tracking devices (collars) to track the location of elk in the off season and were surprised to find that the three cow elk tracked moved more than 60 air miles from where they’re usually seen during the hunting season. Source: http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_e58bb456-4cd9-11e3-a2a7-001a4bcf887a.html
Our latest release, the World Tracker OBD GPS device for vehicle tracking is designed to plug in to the OBD diagnostic port of any vehicle, offering a quick and reliable option in GPS tracking systems.Easily installed in minutes, the tracking device requires a data SIM card for operation, and is equipped with a motion detection sensor to conserve power when the vehicle is not moving.
The GPS tracking device features G-force monitoring for harsh driving detection, real time GPS tracking, GPRS communication modes by UDP or TCP, longitude and latitude location, GSM mobile control, and compatibility with any GSM carrier. The device offers a hot start time of less than one second.
The WT-OBD is compatible with any GPS tracking software, including TrackingTheWorld software which allows users to monitor the tracker’s location, set virtual boundaries known as geo-fences, and create customized reports. TrackingTheWorld GPS tracking software also supports JPG and shapefiles.
Read more about the WorldTracker OBD.
To order, call 650-692-8100 or email sales@trackingtheworld.com.
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Florida and Iowa police departments are testing GPS tracking devices which enable them to fire sticky GPS “darts” at fleeing vehicles in hopes of cutting off dangerous, high-speed pursuits to increase both public and officer safety. Using a firing mechanism installed in the front of the police cruiser, officers can deploy the GPS tracking devices from the inside of their cars. The deployed GPS darts are designed to stick to fleeing vehicles allowing police to track them from a safe distance using GPS tracking software. Here’s another post on GPS tracking for law enforcement.
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Article Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57609416-71/police-firing-gps-tracking-bullets-at-cars-during-chases/
Here are two of the latest GPS tracking news updates we’ve found around the Web today:
The FiLIP
Just when Samsung is making James Bond-ish watches popular again, AT&T has announced it will release a GPS tracking equipped smartwatch for kids which will use geo-fencing to alert parents when a child leaves his or her predetermined safe zone, and will enable parents to see their child’s location at any time provided the child is wearing the tracker. Known as the FiLIP, the GPS tracking device for kids is also capable of voice communication with up to 5 numbers which are preprogrammed by parents. There’s also a panic button that, when pressed for 3 seconds, will cause the device to begin dialing contact numbers.
China to Use GPS Tracking on Government Cars
In an effort to curb abuse by public officials, China will begin installing GPS tracking devices on thousands of government vehicles. The move comes partly in response to criticism for supposed widespread corruption and flamboyant lifestyles among government officials. Guangzhou, a city in southern China, took on a similar project for fleet tracking of government vehicles in 2011. The city now reports that it saves more than $6 million dollars per year due to the GPS tracking systems.
In the aftermath of a recent fatal accident and numerous close calls, Italy’s famed gondolas will begin using GPS tracking systems to help manage water traffic and prevent injuries. The addition of GPS tracking devices will affect approximately 5,000 vessels, including water taxis. Other changes will include a requirement for vessels to be equipped with identifying plates on their exteriors, a reduction in overall traffic, and restricted travel times in the early morning when larger crafts such as barges are at work. CCTV cameras have also been added to some canals. Venice receives more than 60,000 tourists per day during the summer months.
As we have mentioned before, the GPS tracking industry continues to grow rapidly. We just found a new CBS report that profiles some of the ways individuals and businesses are using tracking devices and GPS tracking software to their advantage. Here are just a few mentioned in the article, plus some of our own:
- GPS tracking for teachers in school emergencies
- Devices which allow police officers to deploy a GPS tracking device that affixes to a fleeing vehicle to avoid dangerous pursuits.
- GPS trackers “built-in” to school uniforms
- GPS shoes
- Tracking devices for school buses
- GPS tracking for playing golf
- GPS trackers in the NFL
- Tracking technology for environmental causes
Read the entire CBS report on GPS tracking.
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