What Is BolaWrap, the High-Tech Lasso All Cops Seem to Want

[LiberalArkie]

After repeated attempts to calm a man who’d become violent after having a seizure at the end of last year, officers from the Fruitland Police Department in Maryland wanted to try another approach.

“See this device here?” an officer on the scene asks the man’s mother, according to body camera footage. “This will wrap him.”

About a minute later, the officer holds a yellow device about the size of a cell phone in front of him and aims its green laser at the man. With the push of a button, an eight-foot Kevlar cord with several barbs on each end wraps around the man’s knees, and he falls to the ground. Police immediately handcuff him.

“Oh, so it’s not like a Taser?” the man’s mother asks.

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https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3dd3v/what-is-bolawrap-the-high-tech-lasso-all-cops-seem-to-want

[brooklynite]

1. Looks like promising technology.

[NullTuples]

2. Or, you know, cops could just learn to do their job.

Seems like plenty of other nations don't actually need all this because their law enforcement are not taught that ensuring submission is "Job One and Job Done".

[2naSalit]

5. +1

[mopinko]

6. trouble is it's not rly a job for a cop, but

a lot of places are sending teams, w a shrink, at least.

but trust me, you only make that call when you can do anything else.
on a stretcher is where you want your loved one.

[NullTuples]

10. I agree. Cops should only be sent out for crimes.

Mental illness is not a crime.

[stopdiggin]

9. doesn't seem entirely fair

This would seem to be a situation where LE were trying to exercise the 'restraint' and 'alternative means' people are advocating. This included consulting with family member on methods? In the final analysis -- the cops have to do something. Mental health assistance would be nice -- but eventually there has to be some resolution. Pretty obvious they can't just climb back in their cars -- leave the guy there in the street doing his 'thing.'

[NullTuples]

11. Maybe cops should not be sent out for calls like this.

"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"

[stopdiggin]

12. some jurisdictions (mostly semi-large metros)

are 'experimenting' with mobile mental health units (that would seem to be what you suggest). That remains the vast exception. Right now, in 99% of this country, there is no such thing. The cops (and the EMTs they almost inevitably call in) are it. As it stands now, this is what you're going to get when a family member is making that last ditch, emergency (-"he's standing in the middle of the street!"- ) call.

[dalton99a]

3. Kick

[mopinko]

4. dang. could be a game changer.

i've had to make that call several times. it was not fun.
most were times i thanked ja for my white skin.
(every time i have a run in w the cops, i'm glad for my white skin.)

they all went okay. none were this bad.
but i can see how those shoes fit.
i would be relieved.

[superpatriotman]

7. It is a potential game changer for law enforcement

I urge DU to give it a look.

[Backseat Driver]

8. Looks like an 8 ft exploding hoodie garotte to me!

Oops, in the heat of the moment, he aimed a bit too high!

[Lancero]

14. "Opps, I grabbed my gun by mistake!"

[Lancero]

13. Tasers were sold as the same...

Oddly, cops seem to confuse their guns and tasers quite often.

Just another example of tech being sold as a solution for the plethora of inept and malicious cops, rather than holding departments accountable for their hiring practices.

[mackdaddy]

15. Tasers do have a pistol like handgrip though so they are held and have a trigger just like a gun.

This unit does seem more remote control like and brightly colored so hopefully there will be fewer "accidents".

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. Giving cops some more money for more technology doesn't really have a great track record.