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Florida county to deploy 20 crime-prevention kiosks

Marion County, Florida, made headlines when it deployed crime-prevention kiosks to provide crime tips, Amber Alerts and other relevant information. Now, the Marion County Commission has approved more funds to purchase 20 new kiosks.

February 19, 2016

Marion County, Florida, made headlines when it deployed crime-prevention kiosks to provide crime tips, Amber Alerts and other relevant information. Now, the Marion County Commission has approved more funds to purchase 20 new kiosks, according to a reportby WUFT.

The commission approved Sherriff Chris Blair's request for $60,060 to fund the kiosks, which was pulled from the county's Crime Prevention Fund. The kiosks stand 5 1/2 feet tall, and they have three screens, to display information on Amber Alerts, sex offenders, suspects, public service announcements and other information.

Currently, 288 wanted suspects have been featured on the Marion County kiosk, and 56 percent of them, 162 people, have been arrested. In addition, 94 percent of missing persons featured on the kiosk have been found, according to the report.

"[The kiosk program has] been an integral part in crime fighting, getting notices out to citizens when there is pertinent information to get out there [and] also public service announcements," Commissioner Kathy Bryant told WUFT in a phone interview. "So we feel like supporting this program is a win-win for our community."