The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is expanding its use of the Grappler system, a device that ends high-speed police chases by entangling a fleeing vehicle's rear tire or axle with a net. - The Grappler costs about $5,000 per unit and is retractable and reusable.
- Riverside County was the first in California to use the device, equipping 10 vehicles by late 2025. - The device allows 'preemptive grapples' without lights or sirens to prevent chases.
- Over 150 departments nationwide now use the Grappler, but analysis of its effectiveness is still limited. The tool aims to reduce injuries and damage from high-speed pursuits, which experts say are inherently risky.