The first in a series of public safety improvements in Old Town were announced this morning.
Improvements include the implementation of an identification scanner system called Bar Shield that will track patrons who show a pattern of public misconduct. The system uses an iPhone app to scan government-issued IDs as patrons enter the establishment. Anyone who causes a problem can be flagged. The system also identifies fake IDs.
Jason Van Sickle with the Old Town Association says the owners of all of the bars in the area have agreed to purchase and use the technology.
“It really creates a safety system binds all of the bars together and will help us keep people out of Old Town who come down there to start any problems or get in any trouble," he says.
Officials say increased and enhanced lighting will also be installed in the area by the end of June.
--
Follow Abigail Wilson on Twitter @AbigailKMUW.
To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
