Rockford police officers could soon have their own version of Spider-Man’s Spider-Tracers to track down bad guys and reduce the need for dangerous high-speed chases .
The Rockford Police Department would like to tap a $125,888 Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity grant to purchase vehicle-mounted and handheld StarChase systems that can fire GPS tags at fleeing vehicles. The fleeing vehicle can then be tracked electronically rather than being followed in a high-speed pursuit.
The money would pay for eight vehicle-mounted systems and eight handheld rifle-like systems with a subscriptions to to Virginia-based StarChase technology and funds for training.
Each vehicle system will cost the city about $5,420, cost about $700 each to install and each require a $3,960, 36-month subscription. Each hand-held system costs about $3,800 and each requires a $1,440, 36-month subscription.
The issue is set to come before a Rockford City Council committee for consideration on Nov. 12