GPS Tracking Device

by Greg Bartlett / guest author

Bank robberies have long been the subject of mystery novels and police dramas. Typically, the robber holds up the bank in the first few minutes of the story, and the rest of the tale is devoted to detailing the police or investigator’s attempts to track down the criminal and put him behind bars. Thanks to GPS tracking, such lengthy investigations may soon be a thing of the past. Banks can now protect their money with tracking devices, foiling criminals before they even get out the door.

Several recent bank robbery attempts have been stopped using GPS tracking, allowing police to find the thief within minutes of the robbery and to begin arrest procedures almost immediately. One Florida bank teller handed the robber a bag of cash when he asked for it; inside the bag a GPS tracking device followed the man’s movements and relayed them to law enforcement. Most bank robbers are looking for quick, easy cash and will surrender without much struggle when confronted by police officers.

In addition to protecting bank assets, GPS tracking has also been used to protect high dollar items such as cars, laptops, and jewelry against theft. In each case, the presence of the tracking device enables police to recover the stolen item much more quickly than they could have using traditional procedures. Stolen property that isn’t protected with the technology can take months to be recovered, and sometimes it never is.

Law enforcement has increasingly begun to rely on GPS tracking to help them in many of their regular duties. One common application of the technology places a transmitter in an ankle bracelet that most be worn by paroled offenders. Police can use the tracking information to keep tabs on a parolee and to find him quickly if he breaks his parole. They can also set up perimeters around schools and other off-limits places to ensure that paroled sex offenders or other criminals stay out. If a perimeter is crossed without notification and without a legitimate reason, law enforcement will know immediately and can address the problem promptly.

As GPS technology continues to advance, more applications are bound to surface that will help law enforcement perform their jobs more efficiently. In the meantime, it’s good to know that banks can keep our hard earned cash under surveillance—even if it leaves the premises in a bank robber’s pocket.

Greg Bartlett is a guest author who specializes in writing about GPS technology and has earned two master’s degrees.