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An important modern crime deterrent is the use of GPS tracking for a variety of situations. One example is the way many valuable objects can be equipped with a device that can constantly monitor their location, discouraging theft. At other times, police can install these devices on a suspect’s car and trace him without being seen. Also, parolees are frequently required to wear an ankle monitor that keeps them accountable to the terms of their parole. In the same way, suspects who are out on bail may also have to wear a monitor, as in the case of Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Strauss-Kahn is the former managing director of IMF, the International Monetary Fund. He has been accused of sexual assault of a 32-year-old hotel maid. He was released with a $1 million bail and several conditions outlined by a New York judge. One of these was that he surrender his passport. He is also under house arrest in Manhattan with a 24-hour armed guard. Finally, he must wear a GPS ankle bracelet that will log his every move.
The ankle bracelet works just like any other GPS tracking device. It sends signals to satellites that read its location and transmit its coordinates to a computer, where Strauss-Kahn’s movements will show up as dots on a map. The technology is highly accurate, and whoever is monitoring – in this case, the police department – can set it to pinpoint a location within yards or feet and to update minute-by-minute. They can also view it in real-time or as a log of past action.
The ankle devices are small, lightweight (usually less than a pound) and fairly inconspicuous – but they pack a big effect. One monitoring company says they have never had anyone try to disable one of these devices. Several features offer alerts to the police so that they don’t have to hover over the computer screen all the time. If the device is tampered with – including if someone tries to cut the attaching band – an alert is triggered. The police can also define exclusion zones which a person cannot enter and inclusion zones that a person cannot exit. If either line is crossed, an alert is triggered. If the device fails to send a signal at the right interval, an alert is triggered. An alert can come in the form of a phone call, email, or text message. It’s efficient and effective, saving police time and money while keeping surveillance tight.

Article Written by Kadence Vyra