Due to an ongoing spate of targeted vandalism at the Cricket Wireless store at 2633 Independence Blvd., the Independence Avenue CID has partnered with Titan Security, the company who provides the Avenue Angels, to deploy a new Virtual Officer Trailer that will actively monitor the premises.

They are hopeful it will deter any additional criminal activity at the site.

The Virtual Officer Trailer is a new concept offered by Titan Protection and is part of a pilot project with the Independence Avenue CID to tackle long time problem areas with an interactive resource that never sleeps.

“It’s a self-contained mobile security system that doesn’t require power, is equipped with a cellular internet router that communicates with our off-site dispatch center whenever it detects motion,” said Toby Young, a technician with Titan. “If we see something on camera, we can notify police and hopefully prevent a crime from happening or at least verbally notify the individual they’re being watched and capture the suspect on camera for follow up by law enforcement.”

The Cricket Wireless franchise has spent upwards of $25,000 in the last year on front window glass alone due to a singular vandal who allegedly continues to throw rocks and bricks through the windows. The new glass pictured is roughly 10 days old.

“We’re hoping this solves the specific problems we’re having in this area,” said CID CEO Bobbi Baker-Hughes. “We’re looking forward to deploying this at various locations along the Avenue where crime continues to be a hot-spot issue.”

The suspect was detained by KCPD Officers in mid-August but was released due to lack of evidence.