Flagler is second county to install crime prevention kiosks

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reported to Historic City News that the agency has made a recent investment in several electronic kiosks which Sheriff James L. Manfre says will attract the public’s attention and will help prevent crime.

Each portable kiosk, which cost about $4,000, has three screens for displaying safety alerts, missing persons, public service announcements, sexual offender notifications, or photos of people wanted for various crimes.

“It is important for the Sheriff’s Office to provide information to the community as quickly as possible and these kiosks are the newest way to do just that,” Manfre told local news reporters.

The initial four crime prevention kiosks have been placed at the Palm Coast Precinct, Kim Hammond Justice Center, Flagler County Public Library, and the Government Services Building in Bunnell.

According to Deputy Sheriff, Paula Priester, who spoke with Historic City News editor Michael Gold this afternoon following the announcement, she is able to quickly and easily fill in preformatted templates on her computer with any public service or crime prevention information to be distributed.

Once complete, Priester can transmit the public information through a WI-FI type network designed to provide instantaneous information to the public. “I can direct the message to an individual information board, based on its location, or, collectively to the entire system.”

The agency is expecting to acquire more kiosks in the near future which will be placed at additional locations throughout Flagler County.

“Flagler County is only the second county in Florida utilizing these kiosks,” Sheriff Manfre said. “As they are dispersed into our neighborhoods, citizens will know what’s going on.”