CLEVELAND, Dec. 28, 2007
FBI's Most Wanted List Goes Digital
20 U.S. Cities Will Display Electronic Billboards Of The Most Violent Criminals
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The FBI has teamed up with Clear Channel Outdoor to begin airing the most wanted bank robbers, violent criminals and terrorists on 150 digital billboards in 20 cities nationwide, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. (CBS/AP)
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Interactive FBI Crime Statistics Explore the latest information on U.S. crime, from acts of violence to property damage.
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The federal agency has teamed up with Phoenix-based Clear Channel Outdoor to begin airing mug shots following a successful test run in Philadelphia that led to several arrests.
Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus are the Ohio cities where the advertising company has electronic billboards along major roadways. Clear Channel Outdoor is donating the eight-second spots which will also feature photographs of missing children.
The billboards also will be used to post photos and information on recently committed crimes. The company can add new information to the signs in a matter of minutes.
The company will pre-empt paid advertising if the FBI needs to broadcast an urgent message, said Clear Channel Outdoor's global president Paul Meyer.
Local law enforcement agencies have put criminals' mug shots on electronic billboards as the devices have spread across the country over the last few years, numbering about 800, said Jeff Golimowski, spokesman for Outdoor Advertising Association of America. This is the first time the FBI is posting its fugitives.
"What law enforcement tells us is it contributes to an environment where the criminal feels they have no where to go. A lot of times they end up just giving up," Golimowski said. "It serves a dual purpose."
Scott Wilson, spokesman for the Cleveland FBI office, said he's seen that happen when a fugitive's photo is shown on television and in newspapers. He expects the program to duplicate what happened in Philadelphia.
The billboards will also feature photographs of missing children and a 24-hour hotline number for the public.
After police officer Charles Cassidy was killed Oct. 31 while responding to an armed robbery, the suspect was captured in Florida as a direct result of exposure on the billboards, according to the FBI.
Other cities to feature the billboards include Albuquerque, N.M., Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, Iowa, El Paso, Texas, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Tenn., Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Newark, N.J., Orlando, Fla., Tampa, Fla. and Wichita, Kan.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- most wanted list goes digital.that"s bralliant,now those crucks will now see their names printed digitally.
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- most wanted list goes digital.that"s bralliant,now those crucks will now see their names printed digitally.
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- SUPPORT ORGANIZED CRIME! VOTE FOR YOUR NEXT LEADER!
DOES NOT MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR THE SAME RESULT WILL BE ACHIEVED! - Reply to this comment
- Well, it seems that oakenpines (and countless other aka''s) has found yet another nick, leafsntrees.
You can spot that senseless rambling anywhere.. usually its just random words tossed in as if they were to mean something. Maybe they do, inside his head with the little voices. - Reply to this comment
- Hmmm, Clear Channel - isn''t that a Texas Based company that is reaping HUGE profits from the Bushit Crew? Especially with the changes in the FCC laws in favor of the radio corporation?
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- SHRUBs` FOTO Should Be FIRST
WANTED : Resident W Shrub
Accused of being An Impostor,poses as USA President
ROBBERY:Untold billions taken from the U.S. Treasury
TREASON:Has blatantly shredded the U. S. Constitution
MURDER: Countless Iraqi Civilians - Reply to this comment
Re: "20 U.S. Cities Will Display Electronic Billboards Of The Most Violent Criminals"
And yet the FBI does not list Osama bin Laden as being wanted in connection with the attacks of 9/11/01, citing no hard evidence of his involvement.
Why is that?
www.zeitgeistmovie.com/- Reply to this comment
- you mistook me for someone that cared can''t the FBI round up fugitives without me making it easy for them thought they got paid decent,
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- I''d like the list of 800,000 terrorists the FBI has squirreled away somewhere. I think we all have a right to see the names there.
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- I''m not sure we need MORE police officers as much as they need MORE $$$ in their paychecks. Money is a great motivator in America. Might as well utilize it while unemployment is at all time lows.
The State Dept. gets $70billion dollars for war, how much did your local law enforcement get? - Reply to this comment
- Oh, great...tell me this won''t motivate the @ssholes who commit terrible crimes just for the notoriety...
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- Another thought - wouldn''t it be great if someone invaded the site and put Bush''s picture there.
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- Does the FBI hunt for war criminals? If so, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington D.C. Shouldn''t be too hard to find. Big white house sitting in the middle of the city. Huge fence around it. Plenty of cops in the area. If you need help call 1 800 ARREST BUSH.
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- I wonder if it will show in Pakasitan where Osama bin Laden is hiding.
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- I''m glad I''m paying for criminals to get advertising space, instead of spending it on more police officers.
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- But I''m sure you want these low-lifes off the street, and it seems like as good a use for Bill-boards as any other to me.
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