Law Enforcement Agencies Embrace Proposed LoJack Narrowbanding Waiver
Various law enforcement agencies filed in support of a Nov. 27 request by the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) for a limited waiver of FCC rules so some anti-theft devices already installed in vehicles would not have to move to narrowband frequencies by a May 27, 2019, deadline. The legacy systems would be able to continue to emit 20 kHz tracking messages rather than operate on 12.5 kHz channels. IAATI said all of the systems are manufactured by LoJack and operate on the 73.075 MHz frequency.
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"A waiver would refer specifically to mobile units only, not any infrastructure base stations, and hence will enhance the ability of law enforcement and other members of the public safety pool to track vehicles at high risk for theft for as long as they are in use,” IAATI said in seeking the waiver (http://bit.ly/1gDSaGy). In 2004, LoJack asked the FCC to provide a 15-year transition period to switch to narrowband channels, a step the agency took.
The Washington State Patrol supported the filing (http://bit.ly/1dklHj0). “In 2012 the WSP recovered ten LoJack equipped stolen vehicles,” the patrol said. “Currently in 2013, the WSP has recovered 12 LoJack equipped vehicles. This system is effective in the successful recovery of LoJack equipped vehicles, assisting citizens in recovering their vehicles in a short amount of time.”
The Chicago Police Department offered similar comments (http://bit.ly/1kdfbjA). “Lojack has been used by both the Patrol Division and Detective Division in the tracking of numerous stolen vehicles resulting in the arrest and conviction of offenders of numerous felonies including burglary, home invasion, vehicular carjacking and robbery,” the department said. “Lojack was also instrumental in the dismantling of chop shops and auto theft and insurance fraud rings.” The Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division said it has about 15 LoJack tracking systems installed in patrol cars throughout metro Atlanta and uses them “on a daily basis” as they are needed. LoJack vehicle tracking units help officers locate and recover stolen vehicles, which in many cases can lead to solving a bigger crime, the division said (http://bit.ly/1fBHoxp).