Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

Preventing Family Abduction with GPS Monitoring

November 7th, 2012

It’s every parent’s nightmare—the kidnapping of a son or daughter. But when the kidnapper is the child’s other parent, the case becomes even more complicated. Even if the child is returned, what is to keep it from happening again? Many such cases are looking to GPS monitoring to keep track of the offending partner while awaiting criminal charges and custody decisions.

Case in Point

In 2008 Emiko Inoue fled her home in Wisconsin with her daughter to return to her home country of Japan the same day her husband filed divorce papers. It took four years to get her back to the United States to face felony charges of “interference with custody beyond visitation and interference with child custody—other parent.” When she was returned to Wisconsin in December 2011, she was fitted with a GPS monitoring device. In February 2012, she appealed for removal of the device; however, judgment was postponed until September. On September 25, a Milwaukee County judge ruled that the courts could not legally continue to track Inoue using GPS technology because GPS is not authorized in cases of deferred prosecution. Although Inoue will continue under supervision, the father fears that she may once again try to flee the country with his daughter. The International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act of 1993 may allow for the arrest of a parent who takes an under-aged child out of the country without the other parent’s permission, but this is little consolation.

Startling Statistics

The 1982 Missing Children’s Act defines a missing child as anyone under the age of 18 whose whereabouts are unknown by the legal custodian. Within that definition, there are many categories, including family abductions, non-family abductions, runaways, and lost/missing children. According to NISMART (National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children), there are 350,000 family abductions every year in the United States with 163,000 of these cases involving the concealment of a child, the transportation of a child out of state, or an intent to keep the child permanently. Other cases involve taking a child in violation of a custody agreement.

With so many cases involving custody battles, children often become pawns used by one partner to hurt the other. GPS tracking may be the only way to ensure the safety of these children and grant peace of mind to the legal guardian.

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100V Features GPS

July 11th, 2011

I may not be a professional photographer, but I do take massive amounts of photographs. As a mother of three active children, it kind of comes with the territory — there is always something that has to be documented.

We love taking random family trips, like nearby hikes and nature walks and jaunts to random beaches we come across in unfamiliar territories around us. One of our favorite activities is to just get in the car and drive, taking turns choosing which way to turn, never knowing where we will end up.

We have a map at the ready just in case we get lost, and we are guaranteed to come across something interesting to do or see.

I recall one trip years ago, when we came across an Oceanside castle. I just had to stop and check it out, and everyone in our family agreed it sounded like fun. Upon arriving, however, we found the castle closed. To this day, I can’t remember where exactly the castle is located.

If I had been able to purchase the new Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100V at the time of our castle trip, we could fine the castle once again. The Cybershot has a number of features including a GPS tracking device.

I could have taken a picture of the castle and later on at home seen exactly where I was when the photo was taken, allowing me to return at a later date. This feature is also useful for identifying which mountain you hiked on your summer vacation, or what river you caught “the big one” on. It can even tell you which side of the mountain you were facing when a picture was taken thanks to the compass built into the GPS device. Amazing!

Seeing that this technology is becoming more readily available and more affordable, I am certain that this feature will be included on the next camera I purchase. Documenting our family activities will be a breeze!

Article Written by Khristen Foss

On the Road With GPS

July 8th, 2011

You know that GPS tracking can help you keep track of your spouse and kids as they travel to and from work and school each day. Maybe you even carry a device with you for safety reasons as you’re out jogging or biking. But have you considered taking your unit with you on your next vacation? If you’ve ever traveled overseas or across several states, you know that communication with friends and family back home can be spotty.

Phone communication is unreliable and access to email and other messaging options remains at the mercy of your travel and activity schedule. And while getting away from it all may be part of the reason you took the trip in the first place, still, it’s important to know that you can be reached in the event of a true emergency.

So how can GPS tracking be of service? After all, you’ll all be together, right? Well, yes, until Dad takes Jr. to the arcade while Mom and the girls hit the outlet stores. Carrying your tracking unit with you can help ensure that everyone knows where to find other members of the group. Safety while traveling isn’t as straightforward as most people think.

It’s easy to become separated in the large crowds that flock to popular tourist destinations, especially when you’re trying to keep track of excited children. Should anyone become lost, your tracking device could make the difference between a momentary adrenaline rush and a day that ends in tragedy.
Not only can your GPS device keep all the members of your group together, but it can also provide a safety net that enables someone back home to locate you in the event of an emergency. When access to phones and email is unreliable, your device can enable a friend or family member to find you immediately, get a message to your hotel, and even to deliver a quick text message, depending on the model you choose. In addition, if you’re a parent sending your kids off on a school trip, you can keep track of their progress and check their location periodically to discover where they are and what they’re doing without the need to interrupt their enjoyment of the activities.
With GPS tracking, your next trip can be safer and more enjoyable than ever before. With the safety assurances and peace of mind provided by your tracking unit, you’ll be able to experience the total relaxation you’re looking for, no matter where the road takes you.

Article Written by Lynetta Bowen

Parents Everywhere Discover GPS Tracking

January 29th, 2011

Every parent, no matter their culture or heritage, knows the questions associated with parenting. Will I raise my child right? Can I keep him safe? What if I fail and something happens to her? What should I do in an emergency? How can I know where my child is without annoying him? How do I best take care of of my family?

Parental worries and concerns aren’t anything new; they’ve only changed shape with the changing culture. Our ancestors might have worried more whether their child would encounter wild animals or marauding bandits than child molesters or armed robbers; however, the fundamental fears themselves are nothing new. Whatever shape those fears take, they cross time and cultural barriers.

So what can parents today do to protect their children from our culture’s troubles? Essentially, we must fight fire with fire. We live in an increasingly technology driven culture. Even our robbers, kidnappers, and other malfeasants make use of today’s technology to aid them in their crimes. Thankfully, parents have their own sources of technology to fight back, especially with personal GPS tracking. Using the same technology police forces use to track down criminals, corporations use to keep track of their employees, and animal lovers use to keep their pets safe, parents can keep real-time tabs on the location and safety of their children.

Consider a recent move in Beijing, for example. The Red Cross gave 20,000 watch-like GPS trackers to children at the local schools. Their goal? To eventually provide 100,000 trackers to children and parents. Parents can use the trackers to keep tabs on their children and the children can use them to make calls or even receive calls as well as press a panic SOS button should an emergency occur. The Red Cross gave free GPS tracking devices, but parents are responsible for upkeep and maintenance costs. This Red Cross program was developed to combat China’s recent influx of kidnappings, and prevent another annual rate of 600,000 kidnappings per year.

Thankfully, most of us don’t live in places with such high kidnapping statistics. However, that doesn’t leave us and our children free from danger. Using GPS devices to keep tabs on valuable personal possessions has been a trend for years now. Your child is more valuable than any possession. Keeping him or her safe might be as simple as adding a GPS device to your collection of safety precautions. Don’t regret not taking advantage of this opportunity to protect your child. Take advantage of the technology at your fingertips.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

GPS Tracking Helps Parent – Child Relationships

January 8th, 2011

In today’s increasingly dangerous world, all parents face a common struggle: trying to keep their children safe while still allowing them freedom. No parent wants to keep their children under lock and key until they reach adulthood; however, no parent wants to risk their child’s safety in the name of independence, either. So what’s the answer to this dilemma? How do parents, concerned for their children living in a dangerous world, balance this concern with their children’s need for independence? GPS tracking may provide the solution.

GPS tracking devices interact with satellites orbiting the earth. These satellites allow tracking units to transmit their exact location, which can be tracked by users on a map. Parents can use this technology to keep track of where their children are at any moment, either by keeping an up-to-the-minute watch on their children, or simply keep a log for perusal should a problem arise, providing a helpful extra set of “eyes” to keep tabs on a young person’s whereabouts.

These trackers can do more than simply providing that extra set of “eyes” and keeping your child safe. Among the benefits of using these devices, some parents have found that these GPS devices can enrich your relationship with your child. They encourage open communication and loving accountability. When your child may be facing potential danger, whether a long trip or going out with friends, the devices can stimulate conversation about what is and isn’t appropriate in a dangerous place or situation. Most importantly, you can make your child aware that someone cares enough about their safety to actively invest time and energy into checking on them.

An excellent example of GPS personal tracking took place this last Halloween. Parents everywhere recognized the benefits of these devices for their trick or treating children. No more worrying about an abducted or lost child, simply check the location on your tracker, allowing you child to have fun and independence and you to stay calm. The uses of these GPS devices aren’t limited to merely Halloween, either. In similar circumstances where your child might be on his own in unfamiliar or unsafe territory, consider a GPS device.

We’re all trying to keep our good investments safe these days. Your children are your most precious investment; keep them safe and act before danger strikes. Take preemptive measures. When you invest now, you may be saving their lives later.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

You Know My Methods, Watson.

August 5th, 2010

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.

GPS Devices Get Smaller – Providing Better Protection

July 2nd, 2010

Nanotechnology notwithstanding, many electronic devices are getting so small that it is almost unbelievable. Consider the cell phone, the watch, and even GPS Tracking devices.

Smaller and Smaller Devices

The need for a small footprint in a tracking device is driven by several factors.

First the smaller size allows one to better conceal a device. This is important in tracking things and even people.

Some GPS tracking devices are sewn into clothing for children which provides parents a better method for keeping track on their location.

Some of these are hidden in product that is being shipped for the purpose of being able to track it and make sure that it reaches its intended destination. If it becomes stolen, it serves as a beacon for law enforcement officials for recovery purposes.

Next, the smaller the unit, the less battery consumption takes place which allows it to last longer than larger counterparts. Consider that cell phone batteries have shrunk to almost nothing, yet provide days of activity between charges. In small dedicated units the power consumption is not nearly as great a drain on the battery as are cell phones and smart phones.

Some of the products that are being manufactured to meet the demands of smaller applications include the following.

GPS Watches. The ultimate trick for fooling a predator that they have taken or injured someone and think they will never be caught. But, beyond this is the data capabilities that help athletes and runners track and monitor their workouts and races.

GPS Tracking Devices for Children. Need to keep a closer eye on where your children are and what they are doing? You can choose one of several products available in this market to accomplish this goal. What you will find are varying degrees of usability and features as well as pricing. Is it worth it? Only you can be the judge.

GPS Tracking Systems for Products. Professional businesses offer these systems to help secure cargo and product shipments to their destination. Pricing varies by company, but the bottom line is that if you handle expensive and highly sought out product by thieves it can save many hours of frustration and customer relationships. These are best used with other GPS tracking methods by the shipping industry to help insure that your business runs like it needs to – safely and theft-free.

GPS Tracking for the Banking Industry. Devices are being used and installed into bank bags which allow police to track bank robbers before they even realize that they are being tracked. More of these devices are being used every day.

GPS Tracking for the Auto Industry. Small devices are installed into vehicles by owners to help track their teen drivers, and make sure that if there is a theft, the vehicle can be recovered quickly. Also, some auto dealers that finance their own vehicles are using them to locate customers who stop making payments on their cars and trucks.

All of these devices vary in price and even capabilities. It is best to perform extensive research before making a purchase decision.

Parenting Today Needs All the Help it Can Get

July 1st, 2010

Does anyone doubt the difficulty that parenting in today’s culture imposes? There are the cell phones – no smartphones, video game consoles, the Internet and other hand-held, portable and all-consuming attention grabbers that vie for a place in kid’s lives.

Family Safety & GPS Tracking

With these devices come dangers from exposing young and innocent lives to very bad people and situations under the disguise of connected acquaintances. Is it any wonder then that parents need all of the help they can muster?

Sources of Help

Parents need to be as aware of technology as are their children. This means that studying about the latest trends and arming themselves with information on how to protect kids from the bad that is out there is mandatory. Here are the minimum requirements that Mom and Dad should look into to protect their families.

Internet monitoring software.

If you are away from your home while kids are at home, they are probably on the Internet. It’s a matter of time before they come across some very bad things there. Monitoring software can record and log keystrokes on your PC. Go here for a review of some of the best offerings.

Ratings on Video Games.

These have been out for a very long time and can help you determine if a game is appropriate for your child, but they are very general. You also might find that a rating might not be helpful if you have different values from those that rate and recommend games to certain age groups. The bottom line: look the game over closely and look for reviews online to give you additional insights.

Security Options on Smartphones.

This is one to watch because the dawn of smartphones will bring with it new security risks. Smartphones will become like their predecessors of old, the PC, and will have to have security software installed to prevent attacks and the phishing and stealing of information. There are concerns that you should know about now that will help you be aware of the dangers.

GPS Tracking Devices.

Outfitting your family with these devices is a decision that needs to be made in determining how safe you need to feel. Adding GPS Tracking units to your vehicles has other benefits, too. Tracking for location, speed, and direction of travel can help monitor anyone who drives the car. Small, unobtrusive tracking devices can be used to keep track of where family members go.

Technology can help Mom and Dad in their parenting duties. GPS Tracking helps a busy family stay safe. It’s one of the best parenting tools today!

Attacking Domestic Violence

June 26th, 2010

New CT Bill Aims To Keep Victims Safe

With one stroke of the pen, Governor M. Jodi Rell signed in a new law that would hopefully reduce domestic violence in Connecticut with the use of GPS tracking system technology. In response to her actions, Rell explained the pain and damage caused from domestic violence, and how it was necessary for additional appropriate steps to be made to help eliminate or at lest reduce the problem.

Domestic Violence & GPS Tracking

After a number of high profile domestic violence stories began making headlines in the West Haven and Fairfield regions earlier this year, many people in Connecticut began asking lawmakers to step-up with new and better legislation aimed specifically at the problem of domestic violence. One of those incidents involved a man who shot his wife multiple times before turning the gun on himself. The man, Selami Ozdemir, had a history of domestic violence.

The new legislation attacks the problem of domestic violence in a variety of ways. First, the bill begins with education and teaching teenagers the dangers and warning signs surrounding domestic violence. The next step would involve the actions of a task force designed specifically to target the issue, discovering what are the triggers, causes and best ways to help victims who feel helpless in their most desperate of moments.

GPS tracking systems will also be used to monitor the movements of habitual or high-risk offenders. These people could be classified as individuals with a prior record of abuse, or who violate restraining orders. In response to a question regarding the bill, Gerald Fox explained that the tools provided by the government and legal system to help reduce domestic violence must be strengthened in order to greatly reduce the problem.

GPS monitoring units equipped to the domestic violence offenders will transmit the location of a person, vehicle or asset in real-time. It is a tool that many states have implemented to strengthen their efforts in protecting their community. GPS tracking keeps abusers accountable and retrievable at a moments notice.

Hopefully, the new legislation will usher in a new era of reduced domestic violence in the state of Connecticut and other states will follow this high-tech trend.

Ryan Horban is a guest author who specializes in writing about GPS technology and monitoring devices for Tracking System Direct.

Protecting Kids With Technology

June 2nd, 2010

GPS Trackers Assist In Child Monitoring

With the recent advancement and cost decline in personal GPS tracking system devices, a new phenomenon has been growing among parents with small children. What these concerned parents are doing is giving GPS tracking devices to their childcare providers so while the parent or parents are away at work or other duties they can monitor the movements of their child and childcare workers.

GPS & Children

The days of a household being supported on a single income are pretty much a thing of the past. With the cost of living continuing to increase, outpacing the growth of most salaries, many mothers and fathers both have to join the work force in order to sustain a comfortable lifestyle. However, being away from home does not mean parents cannot observe the movements of their children or childcare workers thanks to real-time GPS tracking devices such as the Victoria tracking system.

Many parents hire someone who can come into their home to care for their child rather than use daycare centers. No longer are these types of in-home services only considered for babies or toddlers.

When a child is left in the care of someone other than the parent, there are some concerns. Many concerned parents fear that when a caregiver takes a child out of the home, their child could be in danger of becoming lost. Many caregivers take the child out shopping, running errands, and so forth. With it only taking a minute for a small child to become lost or maybe even taken, many parents are finding solstice and peace-of-mind with GPS tracking technology.

Children wearing GPS tracking bracelets or carrying the devices in their pocket can be located at anytime. Parents only need to have a computer with Internet access and they can view the exact location of their child live. The GPS tracker also allows parents to have access to historical information of everywhere the child has been.

GPS tracking devices allow a parent to locate a lost child in seconds if the child ever became lost.

By giving childcare providers the usage of GPS tracking a parent can rest assured that they’ve done their best to protect their child. With GPS tracking technology keeping an eye on children, parents can go out into the workforce and have the reassurance that their child is always being monitored, increasing the child’s safety.

Ryan Horban is a guest author who specializes in writing about GPS technology and monitoring devices for Tracking System Direct.