York County Deputies Use High-Speed ​​Pursuit Alternatives to Reduce Risk

York County, Neb. — New technology will make it easier for the York County Sheriff's Department (YCSD) to limit liability and risk to deputies as well as the traveling public when it comes to high-speed pursuits.

The department purchased $40,000 worth of new technology, all paid for with money from drug busts, to install state-of-the-art devices.

YCSD is the first law enforcement agency in Nebraska to use a device called “StarChase” which it implemented in early May.

Courtesy/York County Sheriff’s Department — Sgt. Taylor Samek holds a tracking device.

Courtesy of York County Sheriff's Department — Tracking device attaches to vehicle.

Sgt. Taylor Samek explained how “StarChase” technology resulted in the installation of a “launcher” on the front of cruisers.

Instead of high-speed chases, which endanger deputies, the public and property, the Sheriff's Department now has the ability to approach fleeing vehicles, approach from a distance of 25 feet and throw a tracking device that sticks to the back of the attacker's vehicle.

Samek says once the tracking device is connected, deputies step back, minimizing the danger. He said the software tells law enforcement at all times exactly where the vehicle is, including where it stops, so officers can arrest the person. This may happen locally or in other parts of the state because information is shared with multiple agencies.

The York County Sheriff's Department has installed the device on three patrol cars and hopes to have it on all of its vehicles by the fall.