Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Alzheimer’s disease is a serious threat, with approximately 5.3 million Alzheimer’s patients in the US.  As the 7^th leading cause of death in the US, family members are no doubt concerned any time they discover that a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimer's

Besides memory loss, impaired judgment, and personality changes, one of the most serious threats for Alzheimer’s patients is wandering.  The Alzheimer’s patient may get lost in his or her own neighborhood, becoming confused and disoriented no matter how many times he or she has been there before.  For every 10 people with Alzheimer’s, 6 will wander and 7 will wander repeatedly.  If the patient is not found within 24 hours, he or she will likely be injured or even die.

In Canada, two people have died within the past few months because of Alzheimer’s.  In the more recent instance, an 80-year-old woman went outside at night, apparently thinking she would get groceries, and ended up dying of hyperthermia.

GPS tracking devices can help save the life of your loved ones.  Many of these devices are small and can be put around the Alzheimer’s patient’s wrist or neck, or even in pieces of their clothing, such as their shoes.  The GPS tracking device will then monitor the individual, alerting you, a caregiver, or even a hospital and the police if the Alzheimer’s patient leaves predetermined boundaries or travels during certain hours.  If your grandmother, for instance, leaves your house during the middle of the night, you’ll find out immediately and can retrieve her before she, too, dies of hyperthermia.

With the ability to monitor the Alzheimer’s patient’s location in real time, a GPS tracking device can increase your loved one’s safety and your peace of mind.  Furthermore, it can even save money.  Search and rescue efforts by individuals and by the government can cost billions of dollars each year.  With GPS devices, the search time can be drastically reduced while the effectiveness is increased - after all, it’s hard to get much faster or more accurate than locating the individual in real time.

Family members whose loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s are already going through enough while watching their family member slowly die.  They don’t need the added worry of the Alzheimer’s patient wandering off and possibly dying.  With a GPS tracking device, that concern can be removed, leaving the family free to enjoy the time left with their loved one.

By Greg Bartlett

With the advent of the internet, e-mail, Google, facebook, and countless other “connecting” devices, our world is becoming more and more “globilized.”  Globalization is the term used to define how the world has become integrated through new technologies and trade.

GPS & Shipping Containers

One result of globalization is companies sending employees overseas for various reasons.  For example, companies such as Michelin, Ernst and Young, L’Oreal, and many, many others send their employees overseas to live in foreign countries while executing business deals for the company or setting up international branches and offices.

Religious organizations send missionaries abroad to live among the people and spread their religious faith.  Other people simply choose to make their home in a foreign country because they enjoy the culture, people, and experiences of living abroad.  Occasionally a student will decide to study at a university in another country for a broadening educational experience.

Whatever the circumstances, an international move can be a source of pressure.  Packing a container of your household goods to be shipped overseas is no small task!  The last thing anyone wants to hear, after facing an overseas move, is that their container was lost or damaged.  One way to prevent losing your container (or at least knowing exactly where it was when it was damaged!) is to use GPS tracking devices to insure that you are always aware of the location of your property.  GPS satellites (there are approximately 24 satellites in space) track the latitude and longitude of the person or item wearing the receiver.

This information downloads constantly to the internet or a mobile device.  There are both active and passive GPS tracking devices.  Active devices download information as it occurs while passive devices are more of a record of what has happened.  If you have invested in a GPS tracking device, if and when ever have a question about the location of your container or goods, the information is right at your fingertips.  Occasionally, containers and goods shipped overseas can be docked at the wrong location and charges may accrue if they are not picked up within a certain amount of time.

When you arrive at your new foreign home, you don’t want to wonder where your belongings are located.  If you are using a GPS device, you will never have to worry about losing your goods once they arrive at your overseas destination.

By Greg Bartlett

With 26.6 million people diagnosed with Alzheimers, far too many families understand the risk and concerns that go along with caring for a victim of this disease. Alzheimer patients will often wander away from their family and/or caretakers without giving any information about where they went.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimer's

Since the invention of GPS tracking, it has been used in several ways. Police can track criminals on parole, parents can track their young teenage drivers, and suspicious spouses can monitor their possibly unfaithful mate. Recently, several states have discussed widening its uses and implementing GPS devices into their Silver Alert Programs.

The tendency of Alzheimer victims to wander has given rise to Silver Alerts. Similar to Amber Alert, Silver Alerts allow caretakers and family to broadcast, over the television, radio, or other media, information about a missing Alzheimer sufferer. GPS tracking can make finding someone in these dangerous and too often heartbreaking situations easier. Families can put a GPS device into the shoe or some other piece of clothing of a loved one. Alerts will be sent to family members phone or computer if the loved one passes a certain line. Also, GPS tracking devices can help families avoid situations like that of 77 year old William Young, found dead in a river after wandering from his house several days earlier. One can only wonder how Young’s situation and other like it might have ended differently were Young outfitted with a GPS device.

GPS devices have already been useful in similar situations. In fact, due to the success of GPS tracking in such circumstances, Indianapolis is discussing making these devices mandatory for Alzheimer victims. Discussion continues on this possible piece of legislation. Many groups feel the move is unnecessary, others feel it will save lives. However, both sides agree that an optional GPS program, at least, will greatly decrease the chances of more missing or dead Alzheimers victims and their grieving families. Regardless of whether a law is passed, all families dealing with an Alzheimer Disease situation need to consider GPS tracking.

Many families and caretakers may wonder if the price of a GPS tracking device is worth the investment. However, with prices always falling and the safety of a loved one in question, these devices are worth the investment. Those with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer Disease should start looking into the devices immediately.

By Greg Bartlett

As GPS tracking becomes a more exact science that is capable of greater reliability and more varied options, industries and departments across the business spectrum have begun realizing the potential benefits that they can reap from the technology. Building contractors use GPS tracking to protect their expensive heavy machinery, distributers place the devices in their fleet vehicles to monitor routes and fuel consumption, and law enforcement departments increasingly rely on GPS devices to help them follow stolen vehicles, watch suspected criminals, and monitor paroled inmates.

GPS Tracking & Banks

The banking industry also relies on GPS technology to protect cash and assets. One recent robbery attempt was foiled because, unbeknownst to the perpetrator, the bag of cash he was carrying also contained a GPS transmitter. Police were able to follow his movements and pick him up almost immediately. As more and more businesses begin using the technology, police gain the upper hand over criminals by introducing the element of uncertainty. Criminals never know whether their movements might be monitored after a robbery, and perhaps some would-be thief will think twice before pulling his next job. Banks and other businesses can buy the devices from Rocky Mountain Tracking. As more stories of GPS-related business benefits surface, the company expects to see a marked increase in sales.

Police departments favor increased use of GPS tracking because it not only saves time and reduces the number of hours needed for surveillance, but also keeps officers safer by equipping them with more specific knowledge of the suspect’s whereabouts. Officers who have the aid of a GPS device can solve cases like the attempted robbery in as little as twenty minutes, giving the thief less time to hide the evidence, contact associates, or even make it back home. Other uses of GPS by law enforcement include bracelets placed on parolees to make sure they are keeping the terms of their parole as well as placement of GPS devices on the cars of suspected criminals such as drug dealers. While the use of GPS to monitor suspects brings up privacy concerns, proponents argue that the procedure can save significantly on money and time while not giving any more information than someone could gather by watching the suspect’s car.

The ability to monitor movement from a remote location opens a vista of possibilities for businesses of all stripes. Perhaps it’s time to ask what GPS tracking could do for you and your business.

By Greg Bartlett

Banks often use traditional ways of catching bank robbers, such as dye packs, fingerprints, and security cameras, but some banks are also turning to a new option to help protect the money stored in the bank. GPS tracking devices have gotten small enough that banks can store them with the money where they bank robbers can’t find them quickly and thus end up taking them along, enabling police to find out where the money – and the robber – is located.

GPS Tracking and Bank Robberies

GPS devices can be set up so that they will automatically send alerts to police should they be moved, helping to ensure that police are aware the instant a robbery is committed, perhaps even getting the police to the bank before the robbers leave or at least get very far. Then the devices continue to track the robbers, leading police to the precise location of the money. GPS tracking devices are exact enough they can even direct police to the right car in a parking lot full of cars.

In a suburb of Chicago last week, three men robbed a bank and got away with around $9,000. However, they also got away with two GPS tracking devices, which alerted police to a robbery the moment they were moved from the drawer. Police were able to pursue the robbers almost immediately, capturing one within ten minutes and, after tracing them to the house they’d fled, the police arrested the other two robbers about an hour after the robbery and also recovered the money.

In another instance, police followed a GPS device after a bank robbery to a house, and continued to follow the GPS signal to a hiding place inside a wall. The money was recovered a few hours after the robbery.

While banks are probably the most common users of GPS devices to track money, the devices can also be used for other purposes. For instance, last year a GPS tracking device was used when a man was kidnapped and held for ransom. The device was placed with the money and the FBI was able to trace it and free the man.

Tracking money isn’t impossible, and GPS tracking devices make it possible to find out exactly where money is at any time. With some devices, it is even possible to alert police the moment the money is moved, decreasing response time and helping to ensure that police come almost immediately and find the thief and money quickly.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

On Christmas Day, 2009, a couple almost lost their lives because of their dependence on a GPS-enabled cell phone.  This Nevada couple allowed their GPS-enabled cell phone to direct them into a remote area of east Oregon and they encountered deep snow on a back road in a forest in which their SUV got stuck.  Fortunately, after a few days, atmospheric conditions improved so that their cell phone could get a better signal which allowed authorities to pin-point their location, pull their vehicle out and lead them to safety.

Stuck with GPS Tracking?

Now, while these GPS-enabled cell phones are easy targets in pointing out their flaws, there is another underlying issue which we will address later.  But, first it is important that we note the differences between GPS Navigation, GPS-enabled cell phones and GPS Tracking devices.

GPS Navigation

Some auto manufacturers include this option on their vehicles which is not dependent on cell phone towers and signals.  This is a good thing.  Not only do they provide turn-by-turn directions, but also a smorgasbord of features that are helpful and do enhance the ownership experience.  The problem is that you cannot purchase this OEM product on any vehicle - just the ones that are manufactured by the name-sake company.  Maybe that will change in the future.  The second pitfall with these systems is that the end user is not able to take control of the tracking and use it for their own purposes.  It is solely reliant upon the provider.  And, in addition to this, it takes extra time to engage those who monitor the system to provide services that are needed instantly, for example, theft recovery.

There is another after-market company that makes a device that helps locate a stolen vehicle but again, it is not owner-enabled.  Only police can ‘find’ these vehicles with these devices and currently only 5% of police vehicles have the ability and equipment to allow them to find these stolen vehicles.

Navigation units are also available as an after-market addition to your vehicle.  These provide turn-by-turn directions and a few other features, but no return information to a service provider about location information, etc.  They are limited and therefore are not effective from a safety and security standpoint.

GPS-enabled Cell Phones

These devices use cell phone signals and towers to send coordinates to authorities should you need assistance.  The problem with these devices is that as is pointed out in the above story, cell phone signals are subject to spotty coverage for a variety of reasons.  Added to this is the fact that battery life on cell phones is not that great compared to other dedicated GPS Tracking devices.  It just happens that this is what ultimately saved this couple.  But, the results could have been far more disastrous if they had not gotten that little bit of cell signal after three days.  GPS-enabled cell phones are not your best choice for devices of this type and purpose.

GPS Tracking Devices

We’ve been championing the use of GPS Tracking systems for months on this blog site and for good reason.  These units are the best choice from a safety standpoint for these reasons:

Any Vehicle Any Time - You can outfit any vehicle with a GPS Tracking device for tracking purposes.  And, you can also use these devices on other pieces of equipment that are used for other purposes.  Imagine any type of outdoor equipment that would benefit from this technology and there is a device available for it.

Always on Always Available - GPS Tracking devices, when properly installed, are direct connected to the vehicle’s battery and they have their OWN internal battery which means that if this couple above had lost battery power on their vehicle, the GPS Tracking device would still have been emitting a signal for DAYS after the primary power had gone away.  Try that with a GPS-enabled cell phone, or even an on-board Navigation system.

The bottom line and underlying message in this story is that common sense has to trump dependence on technology.  Face it, when your life is on the line, you need more to depend upon besides a voice emanating from cell phone telling you where to turn.  You need to prepare in advance for your trip and map out your route just to make sure that you do not take any out-of-the-way routes which are less travelled and can pose hazards because of your unfamiliarity and the weather conditions at the time of your trip.  This couple was lucky.  Maybe next time the outcome will not be so good.

Also, choose GPS Tracking devices that do not depend on cell signals.  The best GPS devices are either completely independent of your vehicle, or are integrated within it which provides always on and always available capabilities.  And, independent battery power helps insure that your device is sending out signals with the maximum amount of time possible.

In our humble opinion, GPS Tracking devices remain the best option for safety and security.  Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking devices to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

By Greg Bartlett

Dog owners around the world understand the strong bond that can develop between humans and canines. To someone who doesn’t own a dog, that bond can be inexplicable, but a dog lover’s pet can become like a member of his family. Pet owners spend immeasurable time and money on their pets, and they grieve when their animal family members become sick and when they die. When a dog becomes lost, its owners spend many hours frantically searching and hoping that a kind person will find and report the lost animal.

GPS Tracking & Animals

But what if your dog doesn’t meet with good fortune? What if a crotchety neighbor decides to take pot shots at your animal and causes injury or death, as happened in one recent neighborhood? Pet owners whose pets are protected by GPS tracking can rest easy knowing that they could locate their beloved animal friend as soon as they realize he’s gone missing, minimizing the chance of tragedy.

Some GPS tracking devices have been designed specifically for pet owners and can be attached to a dog or cat’s collar. Certain models come with alert systems which allow you to set up a perimeter around your home. If your animal crosses the perimeter, you’ll receive an email or text message, allowing you to check on his location and retrieve him immediately.

GPS tracking devices can be invaluable for owners of expensive dogs as well. Dog thefts occur more often than many people realize, with small, expensive dogs such as Yorkshire terriers being the primary targets. Thieves can sell these dogs quickly for a hefty profit, and it’s not uncommon for a dog to disappear from the owner’s back yard in a matter of minutes. When your dog is protected by a GPS tracking device, however, you can immediately notify the police not only of the theft, but also of the dog’s whereabouts so that they can begin retrieval procedures.

As a dog owner, you’d do just about anything to keep your pet from harm. You provide food, shelter, health care, and love for your canine friend. You care about his safety and well-being, and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that he is cared for. Perhaps it’s time to take the next step and give your dog the gift of safety by equipping him with a GPS tracking device. The peace of mind you receive will be well worth the investment.

By Greg Bartlett

People commit crimes every day. Some are as serious as murder while others might be as simple as petty larceny. But the concern that any community faces is what to do with the criminals who are caught and convicted. The most dangerous should be kept away from the community, yes, but what about others who don’t seem quite as dangerous? What about the car thief or the man who lost his temper and hit his wife? Prison may not seem like the best option for them, but how can the community ensure that these people won’t endanger others if they are released?

GPS & Public Protection

GPS monitoring allows police and the community to keep track of offenders who live in the neighborhood. For instance, two teens were arrested this week in Canada after they stole a car, drove it recklessly, and then crashed it. They’d apparently already stolen a number of cars, so police didn’t want to just release them even though they weren’t violent and, other than stealing cars, didn’t present a threat to the community. Instead, the teens are being monitored with GPS tracking so that police know exactly where the teens are at any time and can even be alerted if they go out at certain times of the day or into certain areas.

Or what about the domestic violence offender? Sometimes these offenders may have just lost their temper and would never harm the victim again, but sometimes they’ll come back and injure or even kill the victim. GPS monitoring allows police to keep track of the offender and even set up boundaries where the offender isn’t allowed to enter. For instance, the victim’s home, workplace, and her children’s school may be off-limits, and if the offender enters one of these areas the GPS monitoring device will alert both her and police. She can then avoid a confrontation with the offender while police pick him up for violating the order to leave her alone.

Prisons may be the best way for communities to protect itself from criminals, especially violent ones. However, in order to keep prison populations low and thus less costly to the public, releasing minimal-risk offenders may be necessary. GPS monitoring allows the offender to be safely integrated back into the community with a low risk while keeping a close eye on the offender to ensure that he or she does not return to his or her crime.

By Greg Bartlett

Whether it’s a parent tracking down a mischievous teenage driver, or a group of law enforcement officers tracking down a criminal, car tracking can be extremely helpful in a variety of ways. It can track a moving car via satellite to within a few feet. It is able to determine every move a runaway criminal makes as soon as he makes it. If we had car tracking installed in our cars, it would simplify life, and solve many problems.

GPS & Car Tracking

Car tracking is an electronic device that is installed into a vehicle. The device can record the distance travelled, the speed travelled, the direction and locations travelled to, and certain trigger events such as turning the car on or off, or opening and closing doors.

There are two types of this technology. The first type is passive tracking. In this method of tracking, the electronic device is removed after the car is done travelling and it is able to determine where the car has been. The second type is active tracking, and this generally produces a live feed of the data via a cellular or satellite device.

Every parent with a teenager knows what it feels like to say goodbye to their child and watch him speed off. Some parents have relied on car tracking to monitor their children’s driving habits. Many teens feel like they have to drive more slowly now that their parents can view every move they make. It also is extremely helpful in making sure that their kids are in the right place. Knowing that their kids are where they say they will be provides a level of trust for the parents, and with this device some parents give teenagers more privileges. Teens like the idea too because it helps them show that they can be mature, and are capable of being trusted by their parents. GPS tracking is used to monitor the location of the vehicle, and cutting edge technology enables the device to record and store the desired data.

GPS technology is becoming increasingly more advanced each year. This new technology is helpful in chasing criminals when used by police officers, and in keeping teenage drivers safe on the roads. Whether it is the police tracking down a criminal, or a nervous parent checking up on a reckless teen, car tracking may be the solution that is capable of making our roads a safer place.

By Greg Bartlett

Nearly everyone will admit to knowing someone with an unusual pet. Maybe it’s the creepy guy with the snake collection, or that girl who positively adores her talking Hill Myna. Petting zoos too are very popular with kids this holiday season, and taking your kids will give them a chance to interact with a variety of unique species. Thankfully, these kinds of pets aren’t apt to wander far, but those with more mobile animals may want to consider a GPS tracking system. Easily one of the most in-demand items during this time of year, a GPS tracking device under the tree is sure to bring a smile to any pet owner.

Tracking Animals with GPS

One couple in Ohio is certainly putting theirs to good use. Steve Heathman and Dr. Melanie Butera have a household pet especially prone to wander. When a farmer brought an injured deer to Dr. Butera, a veterinarian, the couple simply couldn’t let the animal go. They named her Daffodil (Dillie for short) and nursed her back to health, deciding to keep the animal indoors with their two cats and one dog. Dille’s now housetrained and very much part of the family, so when she wandered out of an open gate this past summer, Heathman and Butera decided to purchase a collar outfitted with a GPS tracking device. Now her movements can be monitored with a computer, and the (slightly out of the ordinary) Ohio family has a little more peace of mind.

In a far less comfortable environment are New England’s moose herds, who nonetheless benefit from GPS tracking technology, as well. In case you’re wondering how well your pet’s GPS tracker will hold up, just follow the data provided by the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit as they seek to protect moose that will contend with harsh conditions this winter. Researchers have outfitted many moose with GPS tracking devices which will let authorities see how animal populations are reacting to lengthening road networks and expanding neighborhoods. Ultimately, researchers hope to protect moose and humans from fatal road collisions or other accidents.

Yet the beauty of a GPS tracking system is its scalability. Whether you’re tracking one individual unit or hundreds, a fleet of fast-moving vehicles or a few slow-moving deer, an effectively implemented GPS tracking system can provide you with all information you need to keep what you love safe.