Two South Dakota Counties Embrace Biometric Breathalyzer Kiosk

Precision Kiosk Technologies has extended its reach into South Dakota. The counties of Codington and Minnehaha have now deployed the company’s AB Kiosk breathalyzer system, thereby becoming the first two jurisdictions in the state with the automated technology.

Of the two counties, Minnehaha has made the larger investment. The Sheriff’s Office has installed three Kiosks in the lobby of the county jail, where they will be used to screen as many as 100 people on a twice-daily basis. Meanwhile, the Codington Sheriff’s Office has installed a single Kiosk at its own Detention Center, where it expects to screen between 40 and 50 people.

Both Codington County and Minnehaha County operate a 24/7 sobriety program for people on probation, on parole, or for those who have been released while they were awaiting trial. The sheriff’s office previously carried out those tests in person with portable handheld devices, but was worried that the frequent face-to-face interactions were too risky in light of COVID-19.

With that in mind, the two jurisdictions went looking for a safer solution, and ultimately settled on the automated AB Kiosk. The device uses fingerprint recognition to verify the identity of the person taking the test, and also records photo and video footage of the test itself. Authorities can use the client management software to coordinate testing schedules, and will receive an instant notification whenever someone fails their check.

“The AB Kiosk system increases the safety and efficiency of 24/7 alcohol monitoring programs and enables counties to maintain a strong alcohol-screening process throughout the COVID pandemic,” Precision Kiosk General Manager Patrick McKinney. “The system reduces the administrative burden of alcohol monitoring and makes it easier for clients to meet the conditions of their release with less disruption to their work and family life.”

The news comes shortly after AB Kiosks were installed at the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico. The technology has also been deployed in Wisconsin’s Lafayette, Waupaca, and Iowa Counties. 

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October 6, 2020 – by Eric Weiss