Should GPS Locators Be Put on Domestic Violence Offenders?

March 1, 2010

Domestic violence shatters family life. And, why should the victims — especially innocent children and their mothers — live in fear? This morning on The View, the hosts were talking about the use of GPS monitoring on batterers. Do you think the government should institute this policy in an attempt to further protect kids?

6 Comments

3 years 11 weeks

GPS monitoring in combination with a bail bond is the best way to protect domestic violence victims other than leaving the perpetrator in jail. Bail bond agents and the courts are using GPS devices in a variety of situations. In the case of domestic violence, a sophisticated monitor can provide multiple "safe zones" whereby the victim and law enforcement can be notified if the perpetrator enters a "safe zone". Since a bail agent has the power of arrest, this can not only help the victim but can also relieve already over worked law enforcement. This technology is a work in progress; it is not perfect. Defendants cut them off and reception can be effected by entering a building with a steel structure. However, it is an improvement over the days when all a victim of domestic violence could get was an easily disregarded court injunction.

Bettye Wayne 3 years 11 weeks

Wait, I read this wrong, I was thinking sex offender, not DV offenders. Yes, I could see how this would come in handy. Been there, done that when it comes to DV and this would have made me feel a lot safer.

Bettye Wayne 3 years 11 weeks

I voted no, but... what a tough call. In my state there's talk of giving offenders pink license plates (the same way they give repeat DUI offenders yellow ones). I think a lot of offenders will get assaulted if that happens. In Miami I think it is, offenders must live 500 ft from a school daycare or park. The only place in the city that's far enough away is under some bridge; offenders are actually having this bridge location printed on their ID cards as their residence. I would agree with the GPS as long as they could live wherever they wanted, and as long as only authorities could track their movements. I had a sexual offender (level 1 for child rape) living next to me for a while, and he never caused a bit of trouble.

missiza 3 years 11 weeks

in extreme cases yes, for protection of the battered and the loved ones that they live with. but i definitely think it needs to be clearly defined as to who is subjected to wearing one of these GPS locators.