Sandy, Utah, SecureAlert device monitors offenders, keeps them out of jails. N. Idaho agency to use GPS bracelets on juveniles

Having someone track your every move, 24 hours a day, with a GPS device may seem a bit Orwellian. But compared to a stint in the Utah County Jail, it may be a pleasant alternative.

That’s the choice that Utah County and numerous other agencies across the country have, thanks to TrackerPAL. The device, created by Sandy-based company Secure Alert http://www.securealert.com , combines a global positioning system, cellular phone technology and radio frequency tracking to keep some criminals out of jail but still under a watchful eye.

Secure Alert has been marketing the TrackerPAL since 2005, and is currently tracking about 3,500 offenders across the United States. About 56 of those offenders are in Utah County, though there have been as many as 100 at one time in the 18 months the Utah County Sheriff’s Office has been using the devices.

Jeremy Duda – Daily Herald

Full Story: http://www.securealert.com/april1708.html

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N. Idaho agency to use GPS bracelets on juveniles

A northern Idaho county plans to start using GPS bracelets to track juvenile offenders.

"We haven’t used a lot of electronic monitoring," Sheley Beck, administrator for Kootenai County’s Juvenile Probation, told the Coeur d’Alene Press. "It is time consuming. There’s a lot of staff time that’s involved. It’s another tool for us to use as sanctions."

She said high-risk juveniles on probation would be likely candidates for the bracelet.

Carolyn Peterson, administrator of the county’s juvenile diversion program, said the department will use two bracelets. She said one will be in use and the other will be available for immediate use.

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/04/18/ap-state-id/d903sebo3.txt