PCSO K-9 vehicle gets $40K high-tech makeover
Feb 7, 2014, 12:40 PM | Updated: 1:14 pm
PHOENIX — The Pinal County Sheriff’s office has upgraded a K-9 patrol vehicle with state-of-the-art technology that could potentially reduce the number of police pursuits.
“This new equipment will help us find stolen vehicles faster,” said Sheriff Paul Babeu. “It will provide us with video evidence to ensure seamless prosecution and it will reduce the length of time deputies are involved in vehicle pursuit therefore making it safer for deputies and the citizens of Pinal County.”
The Arizona Auto Theft Authority awarded PCSO the $40,158 used for the K-9 police vehicle makeover. The vehicle is fitted with an Automatic License Plate Rader (ALPR), a Panasonic Arbitrator 360-degree camera designed for police and mobile spike system.
According to information provided by PCSO, the ALPR can read 3,600 license plates per minute with a 94 percent accuracy rate.
The 360-degree camera can record all four sides of the vehicle at one time and should help with investigations.
The mobile spike system is designed to mimic the standard stop sticks used by PCSO, but deputies can deploy the mobile strips without leaving their vehicle.
In addition, the deputy assigned to the vehicle will have the capability of pressing a button worn on their uniform, which will allow the K-9 to be released from inside the vehicle and provide assistance.
