New spike strip technology to be introduced Tuesday

WAPATO, Wash. — A Ridgefield, Wash., company thinks it has designed the next big tool in police pursuits — a bumper-mounted pneumatic spike strip that doesn’t require police officers to leave their cars to use it.

Pursuit Management Inc. plans to demonstrate the device at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Renegade Raceway outside of Wapato for law enforcement agencies and interested sponsors.

Jim Dortch, a community service reprentative for Pursuit Management, said the bumper-mounted spike is safer for officers. Other types of spike devices are typically deployed from outside the patrol car.

Dortch said that exposes the officer to being hit by the fleeing driver’s vehicle.

The company is seeking sponsors to help local police agencies purchase the device.

Dortch said agencies in the Yakima Valley and elsewhere have expressed interest in the Pursuit Managent design, but tough budget times may make the expenditure unlikely without help from the community.

The company also plans to contribute toward the purchase of spikes for which sponsors are found.

Cascade Licensing in Union Gap has already agreed to help that city’s police department with the purchase of a spike, Dortch said, and he is talking to other possible sponsors.

Anyone interested in more information about the demonstration or possible sponsorship may contact Dortch at 509-307-7562 or jim.dortch@mobilespike.com.

The company’s Web site is www.mobilespike.com.