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‘It scared them off’, Kansas City shoppers report less crime thanks to security robot patrolling strip mall (www.kctv5.com)

submitted 1 month ago by FlashMobOfOne@beehaw.org to c/usnews@beehaw.org

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A sight previously thought to be science fiction is very real at a southeast Kansas City shopping center. Instead of a police officer, a security robot has been patrolling sidewalks and shoppers are taking notice.

Since Marshall the robot has been on the job, shoppers say the experiences have completely changed when they come to these stores. The robot can spend 23 hours a day monitoring the parking lot from all angles which gives people a new sense of protection and ease they don’t always have when out.

Marshall took over security at Brywood Centre in April. Before that, Karen White noticed a lot of trouble outside the shopping center.

“Sometimes it’d be concerning for your car like someone could take it or something,” White said.

Knowing now that Marshall is always watching, the risk of crime does not worry her or others as much.

“It made it very better, like you can’t be in the parking lot without seeing the robot,” White continued. “So, I think it scared them off.”

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[–] Infynis@midwest.social 15 points 1 month ago (2 children)

No actual statistics in this article, just that people "feel safer"

He has a license plate reader, he has facial recognition, he can read IP addresses from your cell phone or watch,” Amanda Bellemere, owner of Brywood Shopping Centre, explained. “He knows who you are basically.

Definitely wouldn't make me feel safer

[–] Cuttlersan@beehaw.org 5 points 1 month ago

Agreed! More creepy eyes for the surveillance state

[–] JCPhoenix@beehaw.org 3 points 1 month ago

Something tells me that Amanda doesn't know wtf she's talking about. Just making it seem more scary than it is, in hope of scaring people straight.

As a recently former Kansas Citian, it is odd that this robot is here. As the article says:

We hear every week these days about more businesses being vandalized or robbed in Kansas City, but when you look at the latest crime map by KCPD, it shows no illegal activity reported at this shopping center.

This part of the metro, in Raytown, doesn't strike me as an area that's high/higher crime. It's a pretty busy area. I've passed through this part of town many times night or day. Shopped in this area from time to time; never thought it was unsafe, since it's a rather suburban area (not saying the city areas are inherently more dangerous; I lived in KC proper).