Arsonists in Australia Being Tracked with GPS Tracking Technology
12 Jan 2016The Australian government attempts to reduce fires in a dangerous fire season by tracking arsonists with GPS trackers.
In the last year, there were approximately 600 suspicious fires in Australia, according to government records. This has led Australian government officials to use GPS tracking devices to monitor convicted arsonists who have potential of starting fires
The government officials will track convicted arsonists and hopefully prevent severe fires from taking place. There is also the hope that the arsonists won’t even attempt to start a fire knowing that they are being tracked.
If an individual is fitted with a GPS tracking device, authorities can watch his movements in real time and are alerted whenever he nears an exclusion zone, such as a national park or forest.
Government officials made the decision to utilize GPS tracking technology because of the continued bushfire threats in Australia. With temperatures in the country soaring in the summer months, there’s a bigger risk of brush fires.
Government officials are also encouraging the public to keep an eye out for potentially suspicious behavior and turn in anyone who they believe might be trying to start fires during a dangerous season.
The courts in Australia have the option of whether or not they want to track their convicted or suspicious arsonists. The GPS trackers will be inside an electronic bracelet that the arsonists must wear at all times. All arsonists are either on parole or have a community corrections order. The adult parole board and court systems for each area has control over who to get the bracelets and if they want to participate in the tracking project.
Authorities that decide to track the arsonists can watch all of their movements and locations in real time. They can program an exclusion zone, where the individual is not allowed. This is often a nearby national park or forest area. If the individual enters this area, an alert goes off so authority can track them down and remove them from the area before they start a fire.
According to Wade Noonan, a corrections minister, GPS tracking technology is becoming a valuable tool for people who are considered high-risk. He told reporters:
“Our courts and the Adult Parole Board should have this option available to them and determine when it is applied, including in the case of known arsonists.”
Authorities are currently encouraging local officials to volunteer for the GPS project.
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