Columbus To Use GPS To Track City Vehicle Speeds, Locations

Ohio's largest city plans to track the speed and location of its police cruisers and other city-owned vehicles in hopes of saving fuel and boosting employee efficiency.

Columbus City Council on Monday approved spending $1.9 million for GPS tracking and monitoring systems for vehicles.

City Finance Director Paul Rakosky said that the plan was to decrease inefficiencies.

Watchdog 10 exposed inefficiencies such as a parks and recreation manager parked outside of his home while on the clock.

Watchdog 10 also exposed a city inspector spending hours at a donut shop.

“It does allow us, in those rare instances where we’ve had folks who are doing things they probably shouldn’t be doing, we’ll be able to monitor that activity,” Rakosky said.

The city first tested the GPS tracking units in city power department vehicles.

According to power department officials, the system cut down on gas, maintenance and one accused “slacker,” Watchdog 10 reported.

The employee quit after city officials found that he disabled his GPS so he could visit his girlfriend while he was on the clock.

Critics argued that the system costs too much money and needed more studying.

Rakosky said that the system should be on line within the next few months.

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