'''StarChase''' is the trade name of a system developed early in 2006 to track a fleeing vehicle of interest to police. Its components consist of a darttag, actually a plasticsmall projectile with the ballend encasedcovered in a viscous adhesive which contains a [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] locator and a transmitter, fired by compressed gasair from a small [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]launcher on the front bumpergrille of a police car. The system was developed to reduce the need for, and the attendantinherent danger of, [[Car chase#In reality|high speed pursuits]], many of which are precipitated by traffic violations where the motorist is later found to have outstanding business with the court system.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}
Upon deployment to a target vehicle, the balltag begins broadcasting its position to the dispatch center. Catching the vehicle, even without air support, now becomes a matter of strategic interdiction, rather than mere pursuit and interception.
The StarChase system as of summer 2009 was in use by the [[Arizona Department of Public Safety]].<ref>[http://www.azdps.gov/Media/News/View/?p=115 ADPS press release. "DPS becomes the first state-level law enforcement agency in the country to deploy the StarChase Pursuit Management System" September 30, 2009; accessed 12-11-2009]</ref>
The StarChase system, as of summer 2013 was in use by the [[Arizona Department of Public Safety]], Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Austin Police Department, and numerous other agencies all over the world.
