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Pennsylvania lottery kiosks displaying Amber Alerts

February 6, 2011

Amber Alerts are now reaching more people in Pennsylvania via lottery kiosks, according to whptv.com

The lottery has worked with state police since 2004, and has been printing information about abductions through text-only messages on lottery tickets. However, the system has been digitally enhanced.

Amber Alerts will now appear on a 17-inch monitor at about 8,800 lottery kiosks statewide complete with a photo of the missing child and any available information about the victim, the abductor or a get-away car.

The announcement will remain on the screen 24/7 until the Amber Alert is over.

"I think the great thing is we're getting people where they're out and about," Drew Sitko of the PA Lottery said. "Reaching people not in their homes, but rather, all across the commonwealth where they're able to recognize a vehicle or abducted child."

So far, there has been one amber alert since the new system was put in place last month. Police say over the last nine years, the state's amber alert system has played a direct role in the safe recovery of 32 abducted children.

Police and lottery officials are hoping the upgrades will help the public recognize an abducted child as soon as possible.