Man Who Shot Orlando Police Officers Breaks Off Ankle Monitor: Concerns Over Use of GPS Tracking
Orlando, Florida – Shockwaves were sent through the community when it was discovered that the man responsible for shooting two Orlando police officers had broken off his court-ordered GPS ankle monitor. Daton Viel, the suspect in question, was last seen wearing the monitor in June before managing to evade law enforcement. The incident has sparked concerns over the effectiveness and reliability of GPS tracking as a means of ensuring public safety.
According to court records, Viel was supposed to be under constant surveillance through the GPS ankle monitor. However, he found a way to remove it and drove away from the Orlando home he was staying at. When officers eventually located him near the University of Central Florida, he attempted to flee again, showcasing the limitations of relying solely on ankle monitors to track individuals.
The incident has reignited painful memories for Rafael Zaldivar, who lost his son in 2012 at the hands of a convicted murderer who also managed to cut off his GPS ankle monitor. The tragedy prompted Orange County to discontinue the program. Zaldivar expressed his frustrations, questioning who issued the ankle monitor to Viel and why someone with a history of violence was permitted to wear one.
Defense Attorney Whitney Boan clarified that the GPS monitoring system is generally not utilized in Orange County. However, a judge can choose to impose it on a case-by-case basis. In Viel’s situation, it was Georgia authorities who mandated the use of the ankle monitor due to his involvement in an arson and aggravated assault case. Boan argued that Viel should have been held in custody following his arrest for the sexual assault of a minor, even if he was entitled to bond.
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell defended Viel’s release on bond, citing legal entitlement. However, Boan countered that prosecutors had the option to keep him incarcerated given his probation status for violent charges in another state. The concern remains that existing conditions of release may not adequately protect the community from individuals like Viel who pose a potential threat.
Zaldivar fervently hopes that all agencies will cease the use of GPS ankle bracelets, expressing his anger and disillusionment with their apparent flaws. Violations such as tampering with the monitor may result in severe penalties, including up to five years in prison and hefty fines.
Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me account has been set up to support the Orlando police officers who continue to receive care at Orlando Health. The community is rallying together to show their solidarity and gratitude towards those who put their lives on the line to protect and serve.
The recent incident involving Daton Viel has highlighted the issues surrounding the use of GPS ankle monitors as a fail-safe measure to track and monitor individuals deemed to be potential risks to public safety. Questions regarding their reliability and efficacy have come to the forefront, demanding a comprehensive examination of alternative systems and stricter protocols to safeguard communities.
