News

Crime Stoppers kiosk to assist police in Gloversville, New York

March 9, 2017

Gloversville, New York officials and Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers unveiled a kiosk at city hall that will display information on wanted criminals, feature high-profile unsolved crimes, and give health and safety tips, weather information and messages by local officials, according to the Leader Herald.

The system features smartphone QR codes that allow access to the Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers app and a tip page. Tips are anonymous and can lead to a cash reward.

Select people such as police officials can update the kiosk's information. Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers Executive Director James Glorioso said this will allow police to upload information about crimes that have just occurred into the system.

The kiosk has technology that will allow Amber Alerts to immediately be displayed on the screens, with no need for anyone to enter the system and update them.

Access is allowed to other states as well, so information about wanted people with ties to other areas can be displayed, and vice versa.

"They are good for deterring crime, because who wants to see their face on one of these units when you walk into a Walmart or Family Dollar," he said. "It might make you think twice about committing a crime in that store."

Glorioso said a number of police departments told him that one of the biggest benefits of the kiosk was people turning themselves in, seeking to get their pictures off the devices.