GPS World

Tag: offenders

  • GPS monitoring and crimes that shouldn’t have happened

    GPS monitoring and crimes that shouldn’t have happened

    Headshot: Tracy Cozzens
    Tracy Cozzens

    Law enforcement agencies have been quick to adopt GPS monitoring of offenders on parole or awaiting trial. An estimated 300,000 people in the U.S. are wearing ankle bracelets. Proponents say the systems enhance public safety, reduce prison costs and provide social benefits.

    However, technology is only as good as the people who use it, as a tragic case from Ohio illustrates. In February 2017, 21-year-old Reagan Tokes was kidnapped and murdered after leaving work in Columbus. The man convicted of killing her had been recently released from prison. Yes, he was wearing a GPS monitor, but no one was tracking his movements until after he robbed six people and killed Tokes.

    In response, Ohio lawmakers introduced a bill to improve real-time monitoring of parolees by shrinking the workload for parole officers, who now are responsible for 90 to 100 offenders at one time.

    In cases in Florida and New York, the system worked as intended and alerts were sent, but authorities took no action. In the Florida case, no one was on duty, despite the suspect having triggered more than 100 alarms.

    An offender in Syracuse, New York, was able to remove and reassemble his ankle bracelet in less than a minute, using techniques he learned when he watched the officers put the bracelet on him. Because of numerous false alarms, the monitoring company had set a five-minute limit before officers were notified, at the police department’s request. Having beat the monitoring system, the offender committed a murder.

    A nationwide investigation by ABC’s “20/20” news magazine program found at least 50 murders allegedly committed since 2012 by people ordered to wear monitored ankle bracelets.

    “Public safety is only as good as the supervising entity we provide our products to,” Jennifer White of monitoring company BI Analytics commented on “20/20.” Criminal justice experts say the monitoring system should not be used for anyone who is a risk to the public.

    While policymakers and law-enforcement authorities determine the most effective use of such systems —and how to address issues of monitoring response, overtaxed officers and tight budgets — the monitoring industry continues to improve the “tamper-resistant” devices as well as the services offered.

    After all, no one wants to live with a false sense of security.

  • Omnilink Offender Monitoring and Asset Tracker Now on Verizon Network

    Omnilink, a provider of advanced machine-to-machine (M2M) tracking and monitoring solutions, has been named to the Verizon Partner Program as a Silver member.

    “U.S. government agencies, businesses, and consumers have depended on Omnilink to monitor the location, safety, and condition of offenders, assets, vehicles, loved ones, fleets, employees, and much more since 2004,” said Steve Hudson, Omnilink’s chief development officer. “We help businesses track and monitor virtually anything on almost any device, and set high standards in reliability, accuracy and ease of use. And now we are excited to make these solutions available to Verizon customers.”

    Omnilink FocalPoint Offender Monitoring is an advanced electronic monitoring solution that gives government agencies the ability to reliably track and monitor the location and status of their entire offender caseload across the U.S. on virtually any device. FocalPoint Offender Monitoring combines reliable GPS/AGPS/AFLT/RF hardware, the friendliest software, comprehensive 24/7/365 support services, and state-of-the-art-infrastructure for complete offender supervision.

    Omnilink Asset Tracker helps companies better manage their assets with an award-winning asset optimization, theft prevention, and monitoring and safety solution. Asset Tracker is an all-in-one asset tracking system that gives companies the ability to track and monitor the location and condition of all their physical assets—vehicles, trailers, equipment, retail, ATMs, bank bags, goods in transit, and much more — across the U.S. and beyond via their computer, tablet, and smartphone.

    The Verizon Partner Program tailors regional and national opportunities for systems integrators, value added resellers, agents and solutions providers to accelerate delivery and adoption of solutions for meeting medium business requirements. In addition, the program features a tiered benefits structure that allows members the flexibility to determine levels of commitment, and also includes simple-to-use tools and clear and consistent engagement processes.

    Verizon Enterprise Solutions creates global connections that generate growth, drive business innovation and move society forward. With industry-specific solutions and a full range of global wholesale offerings provided over the company’s secure mobility, cloud, strategic networking and advanced communications platforms, Verizon Enterprise Solutions helps open new opportunities around the world for innovation, investment and business transformation.

  • GPS Monitoring of Sex Offenders Can Cut Recidivism

    The United States Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recently released a study that evaluated the use of global positioning systems (GPS) technology to monitor high-risk sex offenders on parole in California.

    Offenders in the GPS group demonstrated significantly better outcomes than offenders who were monitored in traditional ways. The evaluation showed that risk for a sex-related violation was nearly three times greater for offenders who received traditional parole supervision, than offenders who received GPS supervision. The risk of committing an offense that resulted in an arrest was twice as high for offenders who received traditional parole supervision than for offenders in the GPS group. When compared to traditional supervision, the study found that GPS monitoring costs approximately $8.51 more per day. The outcomes of GPS monitoring, however, are significantly better.

    TITLE: Monitoring High-Risk Sex Offenders with GPS Technology: An Evaluation of the California Supervision Program