MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Accused burglars, rapists and robbers will soon be on Mid-South streets and the law can't keep an eye on them. Police used to track them with GPS bracelets, but no more; money for the GPS program is running out.
They used to be monitored 24 hours a day, but by the end of October there will be no way to keep tabs on them anytime. Those in the justice system are concerned.
In Shelby County, hundreds of people accused of crimes but not yet convicted have been put on GPS trackers since January 2011. The program's money came from a federal grant to the Memphis Police Department.
That money is now running out and the city and county didn't budget to keep the program going. Judges are now being told to stop putting GPS monitors on defendants.
According to Shelby County Judge Chris Craft, "It's very expensive to keep people in jail and when there is no GPS a lot more people are going to be in jail because bonds will be set higher and they will not be able to make those bonds."
More than 300 defendants currently wear the bracelets. Judges will have to decide between raising their bonds or taking a chance that the accused criminals won't commit another crime once the GPS is taken off.
