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A Virginia Beach Crime Solvers kiosk installed at the Walmart in Town Center (Southside Daily photo/Courtesy of the Virginia Beach Police Department)
VIRGINIA BEACH — Shoppers at Walmart stores here will soon be able to keep up with information about unsolved crimes and wanted persons in the city.
Virginia Beach Crime Solvers has partnered in agreement with local Walmart stores to place Community Pro-Tektor kiosks inside each of the Virginia Beach stores.
The Virginia Beach Police Department will be able to push information to the kiosks regarding unsolved crimes and wanted persons, as well as public service announcements, Virginia Beach Police Det. C. M. Wilson said.
Wilson is the Crime Solvers Coordinator for the VBPD.
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“The public service announcements contain topics such as anti-bullying messages, ‘Don’t Text and Drive’ reminders, information on drug abuse, as well as weather alerts,” Willson said. “When an Amber Alert is sent out to Virginia Beach, it will automatically be pushed out to each kiosk” from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Residents will also be able to submit anonymous tips about criminal activity at the kiosks, which will have QR codes that allow people to download the the P3 app, a secure platform that enables the public to share anonymous tips with Crime Solvers and the Virginia Beach Police.
A Virginia Beach Crime Solvers kiosk installed at the Walmart in Town Center (Southside Daily photo/Courtesy of the Virginia Beach Police Department)
Those tips are legally protected like any other anonymous tips submitted to Crime Solvers. Information from tipsters is shared with police, according to the Crime Solvers website, but remains completely anonymous — no identifying information of sources is ever disclosed and the anonymity of tipsters is protected by state law.
Wilson said there are currently six kiosks placed throughout Virginia Beach; five are placed in the Walmart stores at Red Mill, Salem Crossing, Phoenix Drive, Town Center, and Hilltop.
The newest kiosk was installed in the Virginia Beach Courthouse on Wednesday.