I know, I thought it was wierd when I heard it too but whoever thought of this is a genius.  To mitigate the danger presented by high-speed car chases in the "high-speed chase capital of the world- L.A." the police have employed something called a StarChaser, or a GPS Gumball.  This neat little contraption sticks to the car being pursued and takes the 3-4 squad cars travelling at high speeds to back off.

Who thought a gumball would save so many lives?  I don't think I've seen a gumball do this much since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.