Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. unveiled new high-tech GPS-launching dart guns that are now mounted on police car bumpers to track fleeing suspects without engaging in dangerous high-speed chases, authorities announced Thursday. The futuristic technology, known as StarChase, has already led to the successful tracking and arrest of a drunk driver who refused to pull over during its initial deployment phase.
The program was launched several weeks ago and is being piloted by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department’s DWI enforcement unit, making them the first agency in the county with access to this cutting-edge technology, according to officials. The system allows officers to fire adhesive GPS tags onto suspects’ vehicles during pursuit situations, eliminating the need for dangerous high-speed chases through Long Island streets.
“We have seen dozens of people try to evade arrest causing dangerous situations for themselves, our officers and the community at large,” Sheriff Toulon said during the announcement. “With our DWI team equipped with the StarChase GPS technology, it will help them apprehend subjects during high-risk events by safely giving our officers access to their real-time location, speed and direction.”
Once a driver makes it clear they have no intentions of pulling over, police are authorized to shoot the adhesive GPS tag onto the back of the fleeing vehicle, authorities said. The dart then latches onto the car, giving officers and dispatch the ability to monitor the target’s real-time location, speed and direction without having to chase them through the streets. Once the driver believes they got away and comes to a stop, the tracking officers are then able to swoop in and make the surprise arrest.
The system boasts an impressive 85% success rate across a range of offenses including drunk driving, stolen vehicles, human trafficking and narcotics cases, according to officials. While the exact maximum range of the dart guns was not disclosed by authorities, the technology has proven effective enough that it could possibly find itself implemented on cop cars across the county for use beyond just DWI enforcement.
Suffolk County joins neighboring jurisdictions that have already embraced this technology. New York City and Old Westbury cops in Nassau County both implemented the StarChase system back in 2023, making Suffolk the latest Long Island law enforcement agency to adopt the GPS tracking capability.
Local residents have expressed strong support for the new technology deployment. “This is great,” said Holtsville resident Wilma Ramos. “If we have the technology, there is no reason for police to engage in dangerous, high-speed chases through Long Island or city streets that put people’s lives at risk.”
Location & Road Context
Suffolk County, spanning the eastern portion of Long Island, encompasses numerous high-traffic roadways including the Long Island Expressway, Southern State Parkway, and various county routes where high-speed pursuits have historically posed significant safety risks. The county’s extensive road network, combined with dense residential areas and commercial districts, makes traditional high-speed chases particularly dangerous for both officers and civilians.
The sheriff’s department operates across the county’s 912 square miles, which includes both heavily populated suburban areas and more rural eastern regions. With 253 recorded accidents in Suffolk County documented in local incident databases, the implementation of technology that reduces the need for dangerous pursuit driving represents a significant safety advancement for the region’s roadways.
Broader Impact
The deployment of GPS dart technology in Suffolk County represents a significant shift in law enforcement tactics that could reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths associated with high-speed police chases. By allowing officers to track suspects remotely rather than engaging in dangerous pursuit driving, the StarChase system addresses a long-standing public safety concern where innocent motorists and pedestrians have been injured or killed during police chases. The technology’s 85% success rate suggests it could become a standard tool for law enforcement agencies seeking to balance effective suspect apprehension with community safety priorities.