MobileSpike is a James Bond-style device mounted on the front of police cars designed to bring high-speed chases to an end quicker and with lower risk of injury.
From Superinnovators 03/09/24
The system, made by a US company of the same name, features an arm which extends, deploying a strip of spikes under the target vehicle’s tyres, safely disabling it within 60 seconds.
It can be activated from inside the police car offering a quick and effective way to end high-speed chases.
Officers press a button to trigger the arm when they are side by side with the fleeing car, then they brake making the target vehicle drive over the spikes.
The company say the device reduces the dangers associated with police pursuits, both for officers and the public.
Traditionally, spike strips are deployed manually by a second officer who has to stand on the roadside ahead of the suspect, requiring precise coordination and putting them in harm’s way.
MobileSpike also requires less setup time than traditional spike strips, making it more efficient in fast-moving situations.
That said, the need to get side by side with the target vehicle using MobileSpike poses its own challenges, especially in narrow urban streets.
Bloomington Police in Minnesota began deploying MobileSpike in August 2023.
They report that the system has already proven successful in stopping vehicles without causing significant additional risks.
The benefits come with significant investment though with each unit costing around $20,000, according to a report by Fox9.
According to MobileSpike, the device has been tested extensively to ensure reliability and effectiveness during real-world police operations.
This innovative tool could become more widely adopted as law enforcement agencies seek safer methods for managing dangerous vehicle pursuits.
More info
https://www.fox9.com/news/bloomington-police-deploy-new-device-for-stopping-police-pursuits-quickly
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