Search Only in this section

news
Cell network determines location of stolen cars
The Vancouver Sun
6/24/1999
Local drivers can now buy a new anti-theft tracking system that its developer “guarantees” will locate their stolen car.
The “Boomerang” – B.C.’s first anti-theft cellular network tracking system – costs $599 for the transmission device and hookup, plus a $10 monthly fee.
The technology, which has been endorsed by the Vancouver police department, was demonstrated for the media Wednesday morning.
During the demonstation, a bus full of reporters was “stolen” at Robson Square and then “dumped” at Third Beach in Stanley Park (reporters chose the site). The bus was found by a Boomerang tracking van 46 minutes later.
Although, Ken Helferty of Rankin Research Corporation which makes the Boomerang, initially said it would likely take 20 minutes to locate the bus, he maintained 46 minutes was still pretty good.
“It was a difficult track,” said Helferty, noting that the tracking van was seeking a bus parked beside the ocean and, as such, was hampered by signals from several cell sites located across the harbour and on Bowen Island. “But anybody getting their (stolen) car back under 50 minutes will be happy.”

Firm claims 98% success

At one point, the tracking van crossed the Lions Gate Bridge to West Vancouver, before returning to Stanley Park.
Helferty said the Canadian owned company – which uses the existing cellular network infrastructure to track stolen vehicles – started up in 1996. Since then, he said, Boomerang has been sold to 6,000 customers, including corporations such as Hydro Quebec, Nortel, Budget, Avis, Molson Breweries and Bell Canada.
He said Boomerang has a 98 per-cent recovery rate, with more than 400 vehicles recovered.
“To date, Boomerang has recovered over $6 million worth of stolen vehicles with millions of dollars of illegal contraband and other confiscated material recovered as a direct result of Boomerang-based search warrents.”
Helferty said that when a vehicle is stolen, the owner calls Boomerang’s central number which is manned at all times. The trackers are immediately alerted and – through B.C. Tel Mobility’s network – are able to obtain the general location of the stolen vehicle by identifying which cell site the vehicle is closest to.
At that point, a tracking vehicle is dispatched with locating equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the Boomerang.
Once the vehicle is located, police are alerted and the vehicle is recovered. It takes an average of about 45 minutes ato recover a vehicle, added Helferty.
The small transmission device is underground parking lots, tunnels and even metal freight containers.
He said the company guarantees a stolen vehicle will be found, “or we will refund your entire hardware, installation costs and monthly monitoring fees from the day you purchased your Boomerang.”
Vancouver Police Constable Anne Drennan said that while the department won’t endorse the Boomerang specifically, “this type of technology is one more valuable tool in the fight against property crime.”
Insurance Corp, of B.C. offical Brian Geary said it discounts are now offered to drivers using anati-theft systems, but more information is needed before the Boomerang is added to ICBC’s favoured list.
More than 3,000 vehicles were stolen in the Greater Vancouver area in the past three months, with nearly half taken from parking lots.
Boomerang Tracking Inc. assembles, markets and distributes the Boomerang Tracking System, a proprietary product using technology patented by the Company. The Boomerang Tracking System is the central device in a cellular-based asset tracking system utilizing the wireless systems of major regional telecommunications companies. The Boomerang Tracking System is capable of locating stolen automobiles, heavy equipment and valuable objects. The Company's proven recovery record has received endorsement by members of the insurance industry. The Boomerang Tracking System is installed through a network of authorized dealers located throughout the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. The Company's head office, research and development, production and corporate installation facilities are located in Montreal, Quebec. Boomerang is a registered trademark of Boomerang Tracking Inc. The shares of Boomerang Tracking Inc. trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BMG.