Chicago police consider bringing in high-speed GPS dart technology, councilman says

CHICAGO (CBS) — The city of Chicago is considering providing police with high-speed GPS dart technology that has thwarted and deterred dangerous police chases in the suburbs.

StarChase was supposed to credit Thursday morning with ending the chase from Elmhurst to Oak Park of the suspects wanted for the robbery of a liquor store.

GPS darts can be fired from the front grille of a police cruiser or from a portable launcher. Once a dart is attached to a car, a police dispatch center is able to monitor where the car is going – so officers can safely track it, without the perpetrators knowing, and attempt to make an arrest.

The dart sticks to suspects’ cars in any weather. Its tracking technology can eliminate the need for potentially dangerous chases.

On Thursday, Oak Brook police, who have been using StarChase technology for some time, darted the getaway car into the Eisenhower while assisting Elmhurst police. Two suspects in the previous Elmhurst liquor store robbery were arrested—Michael Harris, 19, and Antwan Ford, 22, appeared in court for the first time on Friday.

Elmhurst’s own police are also using StarChase technology.

For Chicago Police, the question is whether GPS-equipped dart technology would not only help catch criminals and reduce dangerous high-speed chases, but also save the city money.

CBS News Chicago took a close look at the numbers and found that the city spends millions of dollars a year on police harassment lawsuits — nearly $6 million last year.

Ald. Brian Hopkins (26th), head of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, said StarChase technology could hurt those numbers.

CBS News Chicago’s latest previous story on StarChase and Oak Brook police arrived at Chicago City Hall.

“We broadcast the CBS 2 report and had the demonstration,” Hopkins said. “We’re trying to be part of the solution. It works. There’s no doubt about it. It brings criminals to justice in a way that nothing else we have available right now can do.”

Nothing official has been set yet, so there’s no timeline for seeing the StarChase technology in Chicago — and no comment from the Chicago Police Department or Mayor Brandon Johnson.

but Hopkins said StarChase is being considered for CPD right now and could save the city money.

“This can prevent costly lawsuits that could be the result of a collision caused during a high-speed police chase,” Hopkins said.

Last year alone, the city spent $5,973,750 on police pursuits – 7.3% of the $81 million in compensation payments.

CBS News Chicago reached out to the city’s Law Department with a request for this story and did not hear back. But Hopkins said the ongoing court cases are one of the police pursuits that simply don’t happen as often as they once did in the city.

“Unfortunately, we have had more than our share in the city of Chicago and, as a result, we no longer pursue criminals,” Hopkins said. “Well, that’s also unacceptable, because the criminals know that.”

StarChase representatives have not commented on anything related to conversations with Chicago Police or city leaders.