HPD uses technology to stop chases

HOUSTON During a Tuesday morning press conference, law enforcement agencies met with retailers to talk about two new pieces of critical technology that could stop a police chase as it's happening, or even prevent them from happening at all.

One of the devices is called a remote ignition block. A remote signal is sent to the vehicle and would prevent it from restarting once the ignition is turned off.

A similar type of device, called a slowdown device, would interact with the vehicle's engine and would gradually slow it down.

With the number of police chases Houstonians have seen and the controversy surrounding the police department's chase policy, Police Chief Harold Hurtt said it is a great idea.

"This would go a long way to preventing injuries and death in citizens, suspects, as well as our officers," he said.

OnStar developed the technology. General Motors said it is putting the devices in all of its 2009 and 2010 models.

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