In response to a recent murder case where a defendant's monitoring device malfunctioned, Mobile County has transitioned electronic monitoring of accused violent criminals from private companies to law enforcement. The Mobile County Sheriff's Office will now oversee the program, utilizing new, high-security devices provided by Shadowtrack. These devices are designed to be tamper-proof and will automatically alert deputies if they are tampered with, the battery is low, or if the defendant enters a restricted area. This change aims to ensure immediate action can be taken by law enforcement in case of violations, preventing potential tragedies.
Electronic monitoring of accused violent criminals in Mobile County is now under the control of law enforcement . On Wednesday, the presiding judge ordered District Court, Circuit Court and Mobile Municipal Court defendants who were utilizing a private electronic monitoring company to immediately report to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. NBC 15 News was at the sheriff’s office Thursday morning when a defendant received the new monitoring device.
Scissors easily cut through the defendant's old one. Shadowtrack, the company providing the new devices, asserts that theirs are significantly more difficult to remove. 'The device is designed for high security. It's titanium steel. It basically takes about 20 minutes, but again, that tamper notification will be generated immediately within seconds,' said Shadowtrack Executive Director for Business Development Tom McAndrew. If tampered with, if the battery isn't charged, or if defendants go somewhere they're not supposed to go, Shadowtrack software will automatically alert deputies. 'You're going to have to be on call 24/7 to make sure you get that notification,' said NBC 15's Andrea Ramey. 'Yeah, the deputies who are part of this program understand that is part of the duties. It's a 24-hour program,' replied Sheriff Paul Burch.'It creates a mobile proximity zone around the victim at all times. So, if the abuser were to come within proximity of the victim, they'll be immediately alerted and notified,' said McAndrew. 'That's a big feature, especially in a domestic violence situation, or a sexual assault victim,' said Burch. The shift from the court allowing private companies to monitor defendants to making this a law enforcement function follows a November murder case. Investigators say Nyyon Sanders, who was out on bond for murder, let the battery on his ankle monitor device die. Four hours later, police say he killed a man. 'The big difference is, when something happens, should they try to violate, law enforcement can take immediate action. We don't have to wait and file something in the court, because in the meantime, something tragic could happen, as it already has,' said Burch. The sheriff's office is charging an initial $85 fee for defendants and $10 dollars per day it's worn
Electronic Monitoring Law Enforcement Mobile County Violent Criminals Domestic Violence
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