‘It scared them off’, Kansas City shoppers report less crime thanks to security robot patrolling strip mall - eviltoast

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19944734

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.”

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    And that makes this thing OK?

    “More for security”. How does boot taste?

    These things track every Bluetooth device, every phone, every watch, every headset, etc, etc.

    It’s yet another increase in surveillance, and “it’s not a big deal because that’s already happening” is your response?

    Oh, and I’d bet a year’s salary these are leased, and the vendor owns all the collected data.

    This is about data collection, not security.

    • IllNess@infosec.pub
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      2 months ago

      Me explaining how they track you does not mean I agree with it.

      Your emotional state does not change reality.

      • GarbageShootAlt2@lemmy.ml
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        2 months ago

        In a country with many vocal boot lickers (“play stupid games . . .”) it seems like a fair term to have in your lexicon