NCJ Number
211555
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 53 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 147-150
Date Published
September 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines innovative and effective use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) devices in monitoring offenders under the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Abstract
Today, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices have become smaller and more affordable, expanding their usefulness in tracking boats, cars, and in some cases people. For almost 3 years, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has been testing and piloting GPS tracking by utilizing correlation data, thereby giving officers the ability to place offenders in the near vicinity of crimes reported. PCSO uses VeriTracks because of its ability to correlate the information. VeriTracks can effectively track where an offender goes. This article examines the effective use of VeriTracks GPS within the PCSO and its ease of use for both law enforcement officers, as well as offenders. Currently, there is new legislation promoting the expansion of GPS monitoring. It is only a matter of when other law enforcement agencies across the Nation will find this GPS tool showing up as one of their tools in tracking offenders.