HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-14 Press Release - Star Chase PRESS RELEASE
Derek D. Dieter
Press Conference
030514 1:00pm
City Council Office
Recently the South Bend Police Department was involved in a high speed chase
that resulted in injuries and property damage. As a former officer, who was in
dozens of chases, I am looking at ways to help the Police Department minimize
the risk to life and property damage.
One such system is Star Chase. I have reached out to uniform Chief Scott
Ruszkowski, to look into this further. As the budget gets closer to review, the
Health and Public Safety committee will gather input costs for such a system.
• On the average crashes due to police chase's and police calls result in the
death of one person a day-1/3 of which are innocent bystanders
® 43% of pursuit are related directly to traffic violations
® Over 55,000 people are injured a year
• Billions of dollars have been paid out in jury-awarded damages
Cars chases have been glamorized through the years in movies and television,
scenes from Steve McQueen in Bullitt, Gene Hackman in the French Connection,
and even the Blue Brothers project the thrill and excitement of a police chase.
There are dozens of police chases shown during weekly crime shows on
television, but the reality is that chases are dangerous for the public and
officers.
This type of technology lets police "tag" the suspect vehicle and reduces the risk
of high pursuit driving by being able to track the vehicle.
Dave Respess of 5tarChase -"In traditional pursuits, officers catch the offenders
70% of the time. Not bad considering all of the factors. With our technology, the
apprehension rate rises to 80%. In every incident we've had where the officer
tagged and backed off, the offender has slowed down to within 10 mph of the
posted limit and there were no reports of damage or injury. This is a pursuit
statistic we love seeing. "
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/automobiles/a-virtual-a Iternative-to-the-hot-
pursuit.html?hpw&rref=automobiles& r=0
http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/va-beach-companVs-tracker-reduces-police-chases
http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/austin-police-pursue-safer-chases-
technology-16358.shtmI
Derek D. Dieter 582-2200
City Council Vice-President: Chairperson of Health and Public Safety
Dave Respess 5tarChase
757-407-4555