Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair unveiled a new weapon in his crime-fighting arsenal to the Tri-County Tea Party on Monday evening.
The sheriff plans to introduce 100 display kiosks that will quickly spread information about Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, wanted criminals, weather alerts and other information.
He brought along a mini-version of the kiosk for the Tea Party which met at American Legion Post 347.
The sheriff said the kiosks will get information out to the public within one to one and half minutes.
He said the kiosks can also alert neighborhoods to sexual predators living in their midsts. The kiosks will be located in everything from libraries to convenience stores, he said.
Blair told the audience that in his first year in office, crime was reduced by 5.1 percent in Marion County.
He also said that he has instituted tougher physical standards for deputies including a half-mile training course with 16 obstacles.
Blair, who said he is 60 years old, said he completes the course himself on a regular basis.
“You can’t ask others to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself,” he said.