The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has introduced a new GPS tracking dart system designed to help deputies safely monitor fleeing vehicles without engaging in risky high-speed chases. The innovative move makes Suffolk the first agency in the county to roll out the technology.
The system, known as StarChase, allows deputies to fire an adhesive GPS dart onto the rear of a suspect’s vehicle. Once attached, the dart sends real-time data including location, speed, and direction, giving officers the ability to back off from immediate pursuit while coordinating a safer arrest later.
The launcher is mounted to the front grille or bumper of patrol vehicles and uses compressed air to deploy the tracking device. Deputies can activate it from inside or outside the patrol car with a remote control.
During a live demonstration at the Yaphank correctional facility, officials showed how strongly the dart sticks to a target vehicle, making removal difficult. Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said the technology lets officers stop chasing once they know where the suspect is heading.
Toulon described the system as acting “like a virtual helicopter,” giving law enforcement continuous oversight without putting lives at risk. The program officially launched on March 24, with the first successful field deployment recorded on April 1 in East Patchogue.
Deputies used the dart on a driver who refused to stop and was reportedly driving erratically. The GPS tag allowed officers to track the vehicle and later arrest the suspect on aggravated DWI charges.
Officials say the early success demonstrates how the tool can improve both officer safety and public protection.
High-speed police pursuits have long been associated with crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving officers, suspects, and innocent bystanders. Sheriff Toulon referenced a 2025 incident in which Suffolk County Police Officer Brendon Gallagher was nearly killed in a crash while pursuing a suspect at speeds approaching 100 mph on the Long Island Expressway.
By replacing prolonged pursuits with GPS tracking, authorities hope to reduce those dangers while still holding suspects accountable. The pilot program currently centers on the department’s DWI enforcement unit. Officials noted that warmer months often bring more impaired drivers and more attempts to flee traffic stops.
Representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the county’s STOP-DWI program attended the demonstration, reinforcing the importance of preventing drunk driving incidents.
STOP-DWI coordinator Caroline Flynn and MADD representative Isai Fuentes also encouraged residents to use ride-share services or designated drivers instead of getting behind the wheel impaired.
Equipping one patrol vehicle with the StarChase system costs around $9,000. Officials declined to reveal how many vehicles currently carry the technology for tactical reasons. If results remain positive, Suffolk County could expand deployment across additional units in the department.
While many residents may welcome safer pursuit alternatives, some may question privacy protections and data security surrounding vehicle tracking. Officials have not yet publicly detailed retention policies for GPS data or how the system will integrate with existing pursuit guidelines.
The Suffolk County initiative reflects a growing national trend toward pursuit de-escalation technologies. StarChase says more than 50,000 GPS tags have been deployed nationwide with no reported injuries or fatalities tied to use of the system.
For Suffolk County, early signs suggest the GPS dart program could become a standard tool for deputies dealing with evasive drivers while helping prevent tragedies on Long Island roads. Learn more about similar law enforcement innovations and public safety efforts in our related coverage: HypeFresh public safety and crime stories.
