Philly electronic monitoring devices: Effiicent, effective and a lifesaver

Philadelphia court officials have found that an electronic monitoring bracelet can be a life saver. 

During budget hearings before City Council, Judge Kevin Dougherty testified about the efficiency and effectiveness of the new electronic monitoring system for juveniles on house arrest. The devices use GPS technology and don’t require home phone service.

“We’re able to track and monitor all our youth every five seconds as opposed to an electronic monitoring device that has to be attached to a main phone line,” he said.

And, in one case, the high-tech innovation with two-way capability also saved a life.

“One of our kids pressed a button and said, ‘My father is having a heart attack,’ and he was panicked, and we were able to save his dad’s life,” Dougherty said.

The system also proved useful in a case where someone on monitoring was accused of a crime and the GPS showed he wasn’t at the scene when the crime occurred