Q. Who is StarChase?

A. StarChase, LLC is a company specializing in tagging and tracking pursuit management solutions for the law enforcement sector. StarChase products are patent-protected in several countries, including the U.S., China, Australia, the European Union and Mexico. The company is based in Virginia Beach, Va.

Q. What is the StarChase Pursuit Management System?

A. StarChase is a real-time tagging and tracking tool to reduce dangerous high-speed pursuits. A compressed-air launcher mounted in the grill of the police vehicle deploys a GPS projectile/tag that adheres to the suspect vehicle. The tag contains a miniature GPS module embedded in a customized industrial-strength adhesive compound.

Q. How does it work once it’s on the suspect’s vehicle?

A. The tracking tag continually transmits its position coordinates via wireless modem, enabling dispatchers to track the vehicle’s location and movements. Once the suspect vehicle is tagged, police dispatch coordinates their police vehicle resources to create a safe interdiction strategy or perform surveillance on the suspect.

Q. How does the police dispatch center get the data from the vehicle?

A. StarChase uses a secure cellular backbone to deliver continuous position updates to the police dispatcher using a password-protected, secure Web portal.

Q. How is the StarChase solution secure?

A. The system uses state-of-the-art encryption measures to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the system, as well as a communication protocol designed with stringent levels of built-in security.

Q. What is near real-time?

A. Updates are delivered every 3 - 5 seconds. Additional update intervals can be set by the dispatcher to allow for longer “controlled pursuits” or surveillance.

Q. What is the StarChase coverage area?

A. North America and abroad.

Q. How does the system’s GPS receiver perform in an urban environment (urban canyons)?

A. StarChase uses a technique known as Assisted GPS (AGPS), which uses the signals from cellular carriers to compute the receiver’s position. AGPS provides superior performance and greater accuracy in places – such as urban canyons – where the GPS signals may be weak.

Q. Is the StarChase system scalable?

A. Yes. All that is needed for a stand-alone system is a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) secure browser and a high-speed Internet connection. StarChase provides optional, complete turnkey Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) solutions that can be integrated with the Pursuit Management System. Additionally, the Pursuit Management System can also be used as a patrol vehicle AVL system. All technologies can be integrated into an agency’s existing Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) or AVL program.

Q. How is the network configured and controlled?

A. The secure Web portal provides dispatchers with the ability to control vehicle location functions such as setting geo-fence alerts, scheduling status updates, initiating module health checks, or changing update rates to preserve battery life.

Q. Is the StarChase data court admissible?

A. Yes. Law enforcement has direct access to all data. All StarChase surveillance history can be directly downloaded and stored on a secure server. The StarChase data trail provides historical evidence for any pursuit or interdiction event.

Q. Has the system been deployed yet?

A. Yes. In the U.S., Arizona Highway Patrol has been our first contracted agency to deploy the StarChase technology, and has achieved successful tags resulting in arrests and safe vehicle recoveries without endangering public or officer safety.

Q. How close or far does the police car need to be from the suspect vehicle to tag it?

A. Each individual law enforcement and government agency will establish target range, car length and speed parameters to comply with its own current policies and procedures.

Q. How can interested parties view a demonstration and purchase the system?

A. Those wishing to view a live demonstration can register on the homepage of the StarChase Website (www.starchase.org) and schedule a demonstration or contact us via email at sales@starchase.org.

Q. What is the cost for a complete Pursuit Management System?

A. The StarChase price structure is based on a discount system depending on volume, so the price varies depending on the number of systems purchased and number of projectile refills. StarChase can help qualified agencies access government grants and funding.