GPS Tracking for Domestic Violence Offenders Makes Forward Progress
19 Feb 2015New Mexico joins 24 other states in the U.S. tracking domestic violence offenders with GPS tracking devices.
Global positioning systems (GPS) has been aiding people all over the country for their excellent tracking capabilities. Added to the list is the ability to track people who pose a risk to others.
New Mexico will now be tracking all domestic violence offenders who are released from prison, with a GPS-tracked ankle monitor. This is to ensure they do not go near their victims after being released from prison.
A new bill is being proposed, which has already been entered at the House Judiciary Committee meeting in Santa Fe, Mexico at the state capitol. If this bill passes, judges in New Mexico can choose to track any offenders they want 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is not to be a “big brother” and watch their every move, but to make sure they don’t pose a threat to those they victimized.
The offender may have been released from prison, but their victims become fearful for their safety when this happens. They constantly feel the need to look over their shoulders. As Crystal Sanchez, a recent domestic abuse survivor and researcher for the bill, says:
“The GPS technology could help many victims have peace of mind so they don’t have to look over their shoulder. They are the ones living in a prison daily.”
Women, like Crysta,l would know that their abuser is being watched and will not be so terrified once they are released from prison.
One of the New Mexico lawmakers, Carl Trujillo, believe it is important for everyone to feel safe and not like they have to be worried for their lives.
New Mexico joins 24 other states that already track domestic abusers, particularly spouse abusers, with GPS ankle bracelets. New Mexico doesn’t want to fall behind and would like to keep moving forward, keeping up with these changes and doing the best for their citizens.
The next step is for the bill to go to the House Appropriations Committee. The bill has recently been changed by lawmakers so that it is the offenders required to pay for the GPS tracking devices, instead of the local court or state government. This also relieves the burden from taxpayers who might be concerned that they would be paying to have these people tracked.
Comments are closed.