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Since its beginning in 1973, GPS technology has grown tremendously.  GPS tracking devices can now be used almost anywhere in the world.  The number of satellites has grown from the original first satellite to the current 24 satellites.  These satellites orbit the earth and continuously send messages to the thousands of receivers below.  These receivers could be embedded in ankle bracelets, cell phones, or dog collars.  Although it was originally developed for military purposes, GPS is now used in many areas of life, public and private.

GPS tracking has been used for several years by concerned parents to keep track of their children.  Some parents fear for the safety of their small children, and give their child a GPS device such as a wristwatch.  This allows the parents to know their child’s exact location and also allows the child to call for help in case of an emergency.

Other parents or caregivers are concerned about their teenagers’ safety.  Many school districts are also discovering the benefits of GPS tracking for their students.  Some schools equip their buses with GPS systems.  Others ask their students to carry GPS devices, like the Anaheim school district in California.

This school district recently implemented a new program testing the effects of GPS tracking devices worn by students who are often absent.  GPS tracking devices are assigned to students who often cut class.  The students are required to carry the tracking device with them at all times and must check in at five designated times.

The program also assigns an adult mentor to each student to encourage good attendance and help keep them on track.  Although the program is quite expensive, the Anaheim school district hopes it will eventually pay for itself by keeping students off the streets and out of juvenile detention.

Although it may not be the perfect solution, other schools have found success with the program. There is some controversy over the California school’s decision to use GPS tracking.  Schools officials wish to convey a positive image, which is why they decided to assign portable GPS devices to the students to carry with them instead of having ankle bracelets strapped to their legs.

The program is not designed to punish truants, but to guide them and foster proper behavior.  With this program, schools hope to keep underage teenagers out of gangs by enforcing the school attendance policy.  If the program succeeds, future effects could include benefits such as decreased crime rate.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

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Lehigh University recently announced GPS tracking will make up-to-date bus schedules available to its students. The school, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, consists of three contiguous campuses covering 1600 acres, and half of the acreage is reserved as open space, so students have a lot of ground to cover every day. To help them out, the school runs several bus services. The Escort bus service, also called T.R.A.C.S. (Take a Ride Around Campus Safely) bus service, operates on the main academic campus. Two other services operate respectively on the other two campuses, and buses are used to transport athletic teams between facilities on different campuses as well. Schedule disruptions would normally be nearly impossible to communicate, and that’s a lot of people waiting for buses longer than necessary.

Fleet tracking is a system that puts a GPS tracker on each vehicle in a system. It’s a small device that can be put almost anywhere, and it can give the owner access to a great amount of useful information. The device sends signals to satellites, which read its geographic coordinates and transfer that information to a computer mapping system.

Now the system user can see where the vehicle is, how fast it’s moving, and what it’s estimated arrival time is. Depending on the features and software, devices can even tell you when a vehicle door is open, if the driver is abiding by speed limits, what the weather conditions are in the vehicle’s location, and much more. Businesses and other groups use this to plan better routes and keep employees accountable, increasing efficiency while decreasing fuel costs, overtime costs, and harmful emissions.
Lehigh’s transportation director is excited about the benefits to the university and its students. He cited three major reasons for implementing fleet tracking. One was to “go green,” encouraging students to take the buses rather than drive. Another was to increase students’ safety, diminishing the possibility of waiting alone at a bus stop for long amounts of time after dark. The top reason was to improve service quality through using technology. All three objectives are made possible now that students can access bus information through computers or smart-phones and are able to see more accurate arrival times. Several students have given the program a thumbs-up, saying they are more likely to ride the buses now that GPS can show them when the next bus will arrive.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

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School districts in Anaheim, California have decided to try to keep kids in school by requiring habitually truant students to wear GPS tracking devices. According to school officials, they have tried all other methods of keeping kids in school. After a recent rise in truancy, despite these efforts, schools have decided to adopt a new, high-tech approach to keeping kids from truancy. “This is their last chance at an intervention. Anything that can help these kids get to class is a good thing” says Dale Junior High School principal, Kristen Levitin.

This new program is being tested out on 75 students with four or more unexcused absences. The GPS tracking device is given to each student, who is prompted to give their location via text message five times per day, with the last check-in time at 8pm.

The devices provide fact-checking evidence as to where the student actually is at the time of check in. Rick Martens, director of safe schools in Anaheim, explains, “so if the kid does text and say, ‘I’m here, I’m at school,’ but the GPS shows that they’re somewhere else, it obviously gives us some indicators that the student is now where he should be, and so we know to go look for them.”

Critics of this new program think GPS tracking is taking the issue too far. They believe that it is sending a message to the students that could be damaging to their self-esteem. “I feel like they come at us too hard, and making kids carry around something that tracks them seems extreme. This makes us seem like common criminals,” says Raphael Garcia, parent of a sixth grade student with six unexcused absences.

The program was developed by AIM Truancy Solutions, who worked closely with the school district. Assurances are being made to parents and students alike that the intent of the program is not to criminalize the students.  Miller Sylvan, regional director of AIM, tried to quell concerns, saying, “We don’t want to criminalize the kids or have them wear any bracelet or something around their ankle that would stigmatize them. The students are frequently entering a code and interacting with the device, so we think it’s the best way to let them carry it.”

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor

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Article Written By Greg Bartlett

Parents sending their kids off to college for the first time, or even for a second or third year may be a little nervous about their child’s safety.  Whether a college student is living in the dorms or off campus, staying safe is important. There are many ways to protect valuables from being lost and stolen, but one fairly recent technology many people use is GPS theft prevention devices or alarm systems.  GPS tracking devices can be attached to items of value like computers and vehicles.

These tracking devices allow the owner to monitor the location of their valuable possessions at all times.  If a student is worried about his laptop computer or cell phone being lost or stolen, a GPS tracking device may be an option to consider.  Many students simply use locks for their laptops, which is a cheaper option, but GPS theft prevention devices have proven to be quite effective.  GPS can also be used to track vehicles. Usually a small tracking device is placed in or on the car in an inconspicuous place (so that a car thief will not see the device and remove it).  This amazing technology allows the owner (or police) to track the vehicle’s exact location and speed.

Some devices send signals that can be tracked online, while others send signals directly to a cellphone.  GPS tracking devices can also be used for bicycles, sine hundreds of bicycles are stolen from college campuses every year.  In a dorm room or apartment, students can install a GPS security system.  Although many security options are available, these security systems  are becoming more and more popular.  These systems can include cameras as well as GPS devices, and they have proven to be very effective.

Unfortunately, personal safety for college students is a big issue as well.  In the last several years, there have been several cases of murdered students that have made the national news.  Most of these students were killed by acquaintances, usually fellow students.   GPS devices can also be sewn into clothing, and various devices can be slipped inside a backpack or folder. On a less serious level, GPS technology can also be used during extracurricular activities like shopping or trying out new restaurants around town.  Navigational devices are also very helpful in reaching an unfamiliar destination quickly and easily.  Whether for fun or safety, GPS can give parents of college students peace of mind.

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Article Written by Greg Bartlett

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Your teen is driving. You panic. Suddenly, everything you ever thought you believed about providing a child with independence and responsibility goes out the window. You think of the strictest rules possible. No driving after five. No driving by yourself except with explicit permission. If you do end up driving by yourself, check in every ten minutes. But do these types of rules do your child good? And are the really helpful to your relationship with your teen and to his or her own growth and development? If not, what alternatives does a parent have for keeping a teen driver safe? GPS tracking may be the answer to keeping teens safe.

With teen driver fatality rates rising, a solution is needed. Alabama, for example, is currently trying to solve the problem through increasingly strict laws regarding drivers under 18. However, what if these laws fail? Or what if your teenager doesn’t follow them and ends up in an accident? What can you, the parent, do to ensure their safety and well-being?

Consider GPS tracking devices. These devices allow parents to monitor where their teen is, what stops he may have made, and what traffic laws he may be breaking. Notifications can be sent to the parents cell phone or email. Also, some of these devices have voice recordings which warn teen drivers when they’ve broken a traffic law.

Of course, no electronic device can replace your parental care and attention. Yes, they can help, but teens need you, not GPS tracking devices, to teach them good driving skills. However, the devices can assist your teen in situations where you can’t go. In addition, they provide your teen with added accountability. What teen will consistently break the speed limit if mom gets a text message on her cell phone every time? And, in the end, although teens may initially rebel against restrictions, the devices can open up communication and encourage deeper trust between parent and child.

For those parents with teen drivers, don’t hesitate to consider GPS technology. Sure, you may be afraid of upsetting a teen. Or the expense of the devices may not seem worth it. However, all that hassle, fear of disapproval, and expense will seem worth it when a GPS tracking device saves your child’s life.

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A good detective embraces new technologies and Sherlock Holmes would have used every tool conceivable to prevent and/or solve a crime. You can too with today’s tool of choice – GPS tracking devices.

Now that things look like they might be in the early stages of improvement from a business standpoint, it is a good idea to assess how you are doing and if there are any other things you can do to protect your momentum. Theft not only robs you of assets that you need to run your business, but also that momentum that helps keep your outlook positive and your energy focused on the task at hand. Hard work pays off in the end, but you also could use some help from technology to maintain profitability. Since the early days of apprehending criminals via the style of Sherlock Holmes, we have reached a new level of hi-tech anti-theft solutions that are simple to use and maintain. Even Watson would embrace such a user-friendly technology. Here are some ideas to consider.

Secure and Prepare

Prepare for the worst and guard yourself against it. Using GPS Tracking devices help you not only locate your assets, but know where they are being used. When theft occurs, you feel cheated and it angers you. Someone has the audacity to steal something that you own and is using right now for themselves. That’s YOUR item – you paid good money for it. When you use GPS Tracking devices, you make it possible to track down that elusive item and find the perpetrators who did the stealing in the beginning. Let the police deal with them, paybacks through the criminal justice system have their own reward. Keep track of what you have now and keep your costs low. Recovery momentum will be maintained and your business will emerge a leader.

Squeeze Insurance Premiums

Many insurance companies will give you a break on your premiums if you can show that you are using a GPS Tracking device in your car. They like having their risk lowered by the actions of others. These lower costs will allow you to pay for the price of the unit and perhaps some locate fees when you need it most.  Knowing that you are protecting your assets gives you a better rating with the insurance company in general.  Think about combining that lower car insurance with your home insurance as well for added discounts. Position your expenses low. Keep your margins high. Fill that savings account and save for emergencies – both personal and professional. You will sleep better too!

Research, Compare and Purchase New Technology

Look to Rocky Mountain Tracking for assistance on which device to purchase.  There are both passive and active types of devices.  Really think about how the unit will be used now and in the future.  Can you use this tracking device for other uses?  Tracking an elderly parent?  Recording speeds of a new teen driving? You have the ability to locate assets when needed. The cost of these units is surprisingly low. Just a few hundred dollars separates you from the ability to secure your assets in the fight against theft.

In these economic times we need to keep track of things that are important to our families and our businesses. As the economy turns around businesses that can run with what they have now will be better positioned to recover faster than other businesses that need to purchase new equipment. This includes our vehicles, construction equipment, various lost assets – you name it.  We need to keep things close and under our watchful eye at all times. We no longer have our Sherlock Holmes and Assistant Watson on every street corner solving crimes. If you need assistance with “keeping an eye” on things – reach out to Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.  We will introduce you to the world of gps tracking – your peace of mind solution for asset protection.  Don’t worry – if lost – we will find it fast! Just get us involved to keep you in the game.

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” – from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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While most Americans will be having picnics with family or friends and watching fireworks, some people will be participating in the world’s largest geocaching event, GeoWoodstock. This event will took place on July 3rd, 2010  in the Seattle area, and could included as many as five thousand geocachers. Some participants traveled from as far as Guam and Germany to compete in the event. Participants used their gps tracking devices to find caches in the Triad, a region filled with geocaches, most of them small trinkets. However, also located in the Triad are two famous caches, what most hunters are most eager to find. One famous cache is the Project Ape Cache, and the other is the very first geocache ever hidden, the Original Stash.

So what exactly is geocaching, and why is it so popular? This relatively unknown hobby is actually done by several million people around the globe. Players of this game use gps tracking devices to find geocaches hidden in different outdoor areas around the world. A geocache is usually a small container such as a plastic bag or other waterproof container; however, a geocache can be as small as an acorn, or even as large as a trashcan. Each geocache contains a “treasure”, usually a small item such as a button, picture, or coin. Every geocache also contains a logbook so that each hunter who discovers the geocache can record their find. Some participants travel to play this game, going to Hawaii or even Europe to find caches. Others just play locally and search for geocaches hidden near their homes. For some, geocaching is a serious hobby. For example, one cache hunter actually traveled to the jungles of Brazil to search for a certain cache. However, usually geocachers stay closer to home. People who participate in geocaching compare it to hunting for treasure. Geocaching provides an opportunity for those who enjoy the outdoors to get outside. This hobby also gives a reason to travel for those who enjoy exploring new places.

Although this hobby has only existed for a few years, its popularity has spread rapidly. The game includes over one million caches in over two hundred different nations. Caches have even been found in remote places like Budapest. Although it is worldwide, many people are unaware of this unique hobby, probably because geocaching is a fairly new pastime. In fact, it has only existed for about the past ten years. The game was started by Groundspeak, a company which also hosts a website for players to record their finds. Each geocacher can also create a profile where they can post which caches they have found with their gps tracking devices. Geocachers can also view other’s profiles and even compete with others for a certain cache. Although the largest geocacher website is run by Groundspeak, there are several other smaller websites that target geocache participants. To find out more about geocaching visit www.geocaching.com or travel to Seattle during the big event and watch the geocachers at work. Clearly GPS tracking is finding ways into our recreation plans!

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All parents know the fears associated with protecting their children from bad people and questionable situations. Many teenagers know the frustrations resulting from overly protective parents. Parents want to make sure their child is safe. Teens want to try out their newly found wings and venture into adulthood. Thus, conflict results. No parent wants to stunt the growth of a child. However, good parents want to stay active in their children’s lives and protect them from unscrupulous activities that they are not mature enough to handle on their own just yet. Some people call that “helicopter parenting” because the parent never leaves the child alone to grow and learn. How can families walk the fine line between independence and safety? The answer lies with a high-tech device that is used more commonly than people think – GPS tracking.

Some parents and teens may find GPS teen tracking provides the solution. Many current GPS devices go beyond the more traditional uses as directional aids. For instance, two of the emerging types of GPS devices are personal tracking and vehicle tracking. Both of which can provide parents with peace of mind. Owners of these GPS devices can use them to keep an eye on their children’s actions and driving without invading their personal space or hindering their independence.

Most families don’t have children involved in feats such as Abby Sutherland’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe, (mentioned on a previous blog article) or Leigh Anne Drake’s thirteen-year-old son’s climb of Mt. Everest. In fact, most parents will question the judgment of a parent who allows their children to take such risks. However, just as teen tracking provided peace of mind for these parents, it can, through helping them stay aware of their child’s actions and location, provide a similar peace of mind for parents facing more everyday concerns.

For instance, teen tracking can help parents know where a young driver goes, what traffic laws they may break, and what speeds and locations the car experiences. Help your teen make good choices about friends and help them avoid dangerous situations. For example, although most parents probably never allow their thirteen-year-old to climb Mt. Everest, they may allow him or her to travel to a new, unfamiliar city. Tracking devices can ensure the teen stays safe or is found should a situation arise. It’s a good “Plan B” type of reassurance for the parents even though they have counseled their son or daughter on what to do in various situations.

Although many parents may feel these devices invade privacy, most will find that they actually provide the needed balance between parental control and teenage independence. By making sure that good habits are enforced, teens will have a better chance at survival alone, without Mom and Dad protecting them. In fact, most parents with children would do well to purchase a GPS teen tracking device.

(Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.)

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While many people think that GPS Tracking Systems are about the best thing since sliced deli meat, there has been some question recently as to the effectiveness of these systems if left unmonitored. Think of it in terms of a security camera. If you install a security camera, but then no one ever watches the tape to check for unusual behavior, is the camera really doing its job? When it comes to a GPS tracking system, the same concept applies.

John Albert Gardener was a sex offender with a GPS monitor tracking his every move. After he molested a 14-year-old girl in 2000 officials knew that he was dangerous, so they took precaution to make sure that Gardener went nowhere near another young woman. And yet, he succeeded in raping and murdering two helpless teenagers in 2009. How did this happen? Obviously, this paroled felon was not under as careful supervision as officials thought.

photo credit to: D. Sharon Pruitt

When young Amber Dubois was abducted near her local high school one morning, obviously, no one was looking at John Gardener’s GPS tracking system. When Chelsea King was raped and murdered no policeman was aware. It was not until after the fact that the error of insufficient GPS monitoring was caught. Would these two young women be alive today if the system had been properly utilized? While the answer may be speculation, one thing is for sure: John Albert Gardener, a dangerous sex offender, was roaming the streets without anyone knowing where he was or what he was doing. Knowing the limits of technology is crucial to protecting the community at large.

GPS tracking systems are designed to protect the public from people like Gardener. With their monitoring capabilities these systems can keep police constantly debriefed as to the location of criminals wearing trackers. No sex offender wearing one should ever have the opportunity to repeat his offense, if carefully monitored. It is only when officials undervalue the tracking system and fail to monitor it that felons have the opportunity to go undetected.  Certain tracking devices set-up a “geo-fence” that when breached send off a signal or alarm to the monitoring station.  This is what should have been in place in this situation.

Statistics say that 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. That’s one in every six American women who will live the rest of their lives with an emotional scar. And what about the young women, like Amber Dubois and Chelsea King, whose lives tragically end after a rape? It’s time to take action against sexual offenders and utilize GPS tracking to the fullest extent of its ability. It’s time to take monitoring seriously.

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By Greg Bartlett

Teen drivers are some of the worst drivers in the country. On a regular basis, news reporters announce the tragic death of a handful of teenagers that were riding in a car at a rapid pace. These teens fall easily to peer pressure, and they regularly drive fast with friends in the car. With music blaring and friends talking, it can be easy to lose focus and run off road or into another car. Teen drivers need something that can keep them accountable, and teen tracking with GPS technology can help do this. Parents can monitor their children’s driving habits, and help keep their driving habits under control.

Teen Driving & GPS Tracking

Teen tracking can allow parents to track their child’s driving statistics online. This tracking can be updated live for parents to monitor. If there is anything in the report that concerns the parents, they can restrict their child’s driving privileges. This GPS tracking can allow parents the ability to control their child’s driving even when they are far away.

Reckless teens are injured or killed almost every week, and the news regularly contains reports about a young driver that was driving with friends, and lost control of his vehicle. When teens lose control of their vehicle, instincts can take over which can be a bad thing for inexperienced drivers. These drivers can run into trees, other vehicles, buildings or ditches. The teen tracking device can allow parents to monitor their teens and hopefully prevent some fatal accidents.

Teen tracking can be easily used by parents, and it can be used even by parents that are not completely up to date on technology. All that is needed is internet access, and equipment for their teen’s vehicle and parents can help monitor their child’s driving behaviors. This technology is saving lives, and parents love being able to monitor their child’s driving. Some teens may not like it at first, but they will thank their parents in the long run because this can potentially save their life. This type of tracking is very important and many people have loved this new technology. GPS tracking has saved many lives because parents can restrict the driving habits of teens that are unsafe drivers. This product keeps teenagers accountable for their actions. Parents applaud the new technology which gives them assistance in correcting bad driving habits before an incident occurs.

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