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By Greg Bartlett

More and more people recognize the benefit of using GPS tracking technology for safety purposes. As the devices become more common, law enforcement officials have tended to rely on them for help in the performance of their duties as well. Whether they’re following a suspected drug dealer, keeping an eye on a prison parolee, or catching a bank robber, police officers have found that GPS tracking devices can make their jobs more efficient and more precise as they seek to keep citizens and their property safe.

Domestic Violence & GPS Tracking

Perhaps no one understands the importance of personal safety better than victims of domestic violence. While police departments do everything they can to enforce restraining orders and protect victims, there are times when traditional methods don’t work. That’s why the state of Kentucky is considering the possibility of using GPS tracking to monitor the movements of people who have been accused of domestic violence. Known as Amanda’s bill in memory of a domestic violence victim, the legislation would allow law enforcement officials to keep an eye on the movements of the accused at all times, and to be alerted immediately should they violate a restraining order.

Each domestic violence perpetrator would be required to wear an ankle bracelet containing a GPS transmitter. The transmitter would send signals at specified intervals to a computer, from which a single police officer could monitor the movements of many people at one time. A perimeter alert system would cause an alert to be sent to the law enforcement department immediately should the perimeter be crossed. Opponents of this type of monitoring system assert that such measures invade a person’s privacy; however, its advocates argue that no information is gathered that could not be observed by anyone in the public arena. The GPS tracking device simply allows law enforcement departments that are already spread thin to save some manpower while still accomplishing the goal of keeping victims safe.

People who have never witnessed domestic violence have a hard time understanding how terrifying it can be to feel unsafe in your own home. Even after a restraining order is in place, victims still feel a need to watch their backs at all times, making it difficult to truly relax. By implementing GPS tracking technology into the current system, law enforcement departments could offer a greater sense of security to the vulnerable, while sending a clear message to those who might consider a restraining order violation.