But what about the lost ratings?
A paintball-like technology could end car chases in Los Angeles, and maybe across the country, if a system being tested in Southern California delivers what the company that makes it promises.
The Los Angeles Police Department is testing a new secret weapon to halt high-speed pursuits: smart darts.
The LAPD will use air-propelled miniature baseball size “tags” equipped with a global positioning system. The officers fire the darts, which stick to a fleeing motorist’s car, and within minutes can find and track the suspect’s location.
It seems like the biggest losers if this works out will be the tv stations that have become accustomed to an easy ratings boost by following every high-speed pursuit that comes down the pike.
Anybody in law enforcement reading this, I’d be interested to know how useful you think this product is going to be. I like the concept, but I have this nagging feeling that its usefulness is being overstated. Maybe you can set me straight on this one.
Related Link: StarChase, the inventor of the device. (Good luck trying to reach their website; I’ve been getting a “Daily Bandwidth Exceeded” message.)
