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IT FBI Deploys Digital Billboard For Criminals
Jason Mick (Blog) - December 28, 2007 12:38 PM

38 comment(s) - last by wonderhat7.. on Jan 17 at 7:05 PM

One of the billboards in action in Philadelphia, displays important information on dangerous criminals. (Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation)

FBI partners with Clear Channel Outdoors and citizens, to clean up the streets

The FBI found a new partner ready to fight crime with some new fancy digital tools. The Bureau recently opted advertising firm Clear Channel Outdoor to deliver a unique to crime-fighting device to 20 major U.S. cities. Each city will receive digital billboards that will display up to date information on most wanted fugitives, important missing persons and other significant security announcement.

Clear Channel already successfully demonstrated the program in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia program launched on September 13th with eight billboards around the city displaying "crystal-clear" images of 11 of the most violent fugitives. Simultaneously a 24-hour hotline was launched to handle the information coming in from observers who took notice of the billboards and had useful information.

The results were rapid and rewarding -- by October, two of the most wanted suspects were captured as a direct result of the billboards. When Philadelphia Police Officer Charles Cassidy was tragically gunned down on October 31, the quick response from the billboards led to a later arrest of a suspect in Florida.

In total, the FBI plays to deploy 150 billboards nationwide. The cities that the program is currently launching in are: Akron, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Des Moines, El Paso, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Philadelphia and Wichita.

The FBI is challenging the public to make the program even more of a success. It states, "The success of this initiative rests with you. If you recognize one of the fugitives while driving by a billboard (and please drive safely!), please call the posted number as soon as you can after stopping."

In 2007, law enforcement officials in the U.S. and worldwide armed themselves with digital technology across every front. The FBI recently announced its intentions to create a superior biometric database, while Interpol used reverse picture blurring technology to ID and apprehend a child predator.

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Great billboard usage

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 1:07:33 PM , Rating: 3

I think this is a great program. The FBI &/or local/state police can now reach a broader audience - people that may not watch the news, or read the news paper, or stay up to date on these sorts of events.

By doing this across the country in different cities, it can start to crack down on people who flea the city they were wanted in, and try to live under the radar.

RE: Great billboard usage

By fk49 on 12/28/2007 1:09:49 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah, I'm imagining the scene out of Minority Report where Tom Cruise is walking around and, suddenly, all of the walls are plastered with his face.

We're one day closer to precogs..

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RE: Great billboard usage

By Polynikes on 12/28/2007 1:31:15 PM , Rating: 3

I'm really glad that movie was based on an impossible ability.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By VoodooChicken on 12/28/2007 2:11:06 PM , Rating: 2

I'm thinking more of the insert shot in FREEJACK w/ Emilio for some reason.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By Souka on 12/28/2007 2:25:24 PM , Rating: 4

yeah... its impossible to carve a ball of wood like that...sheesh...

:P

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RE: Great billboard usage

By camped69 on 12/28/07, Rating: -1

RE: Great billboard usage

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 2:16:36 PM , Rating: 4

quote:
So much for innocent until proven guilty

Uh, do you have any idea what you're talking about? First, do you know the types of people on the FBI most wanted list, and local police most wanted lists? Probably not, so let me enlighten you. They are people who may have escaped jail, skipped out on bond and never showed for court, have a warrant out for their arrest, could be wanted in an investigation for something like murder, kidnapping, burglary, etc.

quote:
If the law enforcement agencies were doing their job there wouldn't be a need for signs.

The only reason these people would be up on the billboard is if they are purposely running and hiding from the law.

You really are a jackass.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By rushfan2006 on 12/28/2007 2:18:31 PM , Rating: 5

Spare me.

If the law enforcement agencies were doing their job? Here's two thoughts - law enforcement agencies are given a very bad rep by movies, music and media in general. The vast majority are decent hard working folks putting their life on the line each and everyday for us all. I'm so sick and tired of this "hip and hop/rap/gansta" culture young people are into these days that treat Law Enforcement like complete shit. But yet have a crime happen to them and how much you want to bet they are hoping or praying the "authories" come to their aid. Funny how that shit works - cops are assholes.........well until I need one myself.

Thought number two - maybe if the CRIMINAL wouldn't be a jackass/cold-hearted/SOB in the first place .....the signs wouldn't be needed...But God forbid we place responsibilty where it rightly belongs -- I know its not cool to expect people to be responsible for their own actions these days.

*disclaimer: I have state police, county police, Philadelphia SWAT members, Philadelphia Police and Camden Police members in my family - so yeah you can say a comment against law enforcement is a bit personal to me.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By wordsworm on 12/29/07, Rating: -1

By wordsworm on 12/29/2007 7:56:45 AM , Rating: -1

Drug dealers and bank robbers put their lives on the line every day in their line of work. Are you going to say that they should be accoladed as heroes as well?

It's funny how often police become a part of a big problem just as quickly as they can be used to overcome a big problem. The cops I've seen are usually pretty bad. I joke sometimes, if I had known how dirty most cops were, I probably would have become one.

Cops can be assholes when you need one. Did you ever hear the joke about that guy? I don't know exactly how it goes, but here's the gist:

Guy calls 911 to call in a burglary in progress in his barn. 911 lady says, "Sorry sir, no one can be in the area for at least 45 minutes."

Guy waits for about 5 minutes and calls back, "Don't worry about that burglar, miss. I shot him cold dead!"

5 minutes later there are x number of police officers with a chopper in the air. After they apprehend the individual, the cop says, "Hey, I thought you said you shot him!"

Guy turns around, "I thought you had no one in the area."

Here's a true story. My x-girlfriend from years back gets a job at a drug store. Cop comes in, says, "You forgot about your discount."

She replies, "What discount?"

"You know, if you don't give us a discount, maybe we won't come next time you call about a burglar."

I also have a friend and my sister (not that I believe everything she says, but I don't doubt my friend) who've been molested by a cops.

One time I remember my friends getting stopped by a cop. yeah, they were hot boxing in the car. Cop gives them a seat belt ticket and takes their stash. Guess what they did with it? I'm sure they burned it - in a bowl, or a pipe, or a paper. No one knows for sure.

Cops are predators with a bad attitude. But usually they're also a bit dim witted and are fairly predictable. If you understand a dog's body language, then you've pretty much figured out cops.

I have a cop in my family. I remember what he told me that took him by surprise: "If you see a black man driving a nice car, stop him."

Have you ever watched the TV show Cops? I've seen cops stop black kids on their bicycles. No one called in a complaint or anything. They just had nothing better to do. Coincidentally they found a gun on one of the kids. I had to ask myself, though, how many black kids on bicycles do cops stop before they can post something like that on TV?

Law enforcement agencies are given a very bad rap because of all the bad crap that they do. Drug dealers put their freedom and their lives on the line so that I can smoke marijuana. That's what I call a hero - someone risking it so that I can have that freedom.

quote:
I have state police, county police, Philadelphia SWAT members, Philadelphia Police and Camden Police members in my family - so yeah you can say a comment against law enforcement is a bit personal to me.

The Nazis had police too. They dragged unwilling Jews off to concentration camps. Are you going to put a halo around them too?

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RE: Great billboard usage

By bhieb on 12/28/2007 2:21:35 PM , Rating: 3

That is insane. So you think that there is no way to commit a crime and run from the cops? Yes you are innocent until proven guilty, but if you aren't around for questioning what do you want them to do?

"Well we checked his house and work, as well as all his normal hangouts, but according to camped69 we cannot ask the public if they've seen him"

Guess what, I think by the time you make it far enough up the FBI's list to be put on a billboard, they probably already tried to find you the old fashioned way.

You sir are an idiot.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By Christopher1 on 12/28/2007 5:23:42 PM , Rating: 2

Actually, that is not always the case. The FBI (coming from my cousin's husband who works for them) are lazy.
Usually, if they cannot find you right away, they don't even bother to keep on looking for you.

Also, what happens when someone who isn't the person who they are looking for, but just looks similar to that person is shot or killed by some vigilante out there in society? It's already happened in this country, and it is naive to think that it could not happen once again.

I am all for the government trying to find forcible child rapists, serial killers, etc. but they have to do it in such a way that the 'lynch mob' mentality is taken out of it and the possible overreaction of the public is taken out of it.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 5:42:50 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
I am all for the government trying to find forcible child rapists, serial killers, etc. but they have to do it in such a way that the 'lynch mob' mentality is taken out of it and the possible overreaction of the public is taken out of it.

So basically do it in a way that the public has no idea of whats going on, or who is wanted? What if there is a wanted sex offender who skipped on his warrant, and is now on the most wanted list.....you dont think the people deserve a right to know who that person is to make sure he doesnt come close to their children, and if they see him to turn him in to authorities?

Of course not, because you are a sexual predator.

I'm not sure really. That would take some investigation. However, I did find this intersting article on CCN's website about the FBI Most Wanted Top 10 list and its figures: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/08/14/fbi.mostwant...

"464 candidates on the list, 435 have either been arrested or located as a result of various types of enforcement activity and information generated from the American public as a result of the publicity from the list."

Sounds like a good trade off to me!

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RE: Great billboard usage

By hockyis1 on 12/28/2007 5:50:25 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Actually, that is not always the case. The FBI (coming from my cousin's husband who works for them) are lazy. Usually, if they cannot find you right away, they don't even bother to keep on looking for you.

It's called a budget. I guess you've never worked for the federal government? It has nothing to do with laziness, but rather a lack of personnel and FUNDING that stops investigations. If you only knew the number of "call-ins" and "tips" the FBI received, you'd be amazed at what they cannot waste time investigating. It's hard to point a finger at FBI agents being lazy when they often spend YEARS investigating people trying to collect the right evidence to get a conviction in court. Yeah, sure, that's lazy - and you my friend, are poorly informed...

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RE: Great billboard usage

By FITCamaro on 12/28/2007 10:06:54 PM , Rating: 1

Knew there was going to be one of you. For people like you, the government and authorities can't do anything right to try to make the world safer by doing something that helps catch criminals.

Besides, if you're so good at catching criminals, why don't you join the FBI or something. You know, you can show them what they're doing wrong.

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RE: Great billboard usage

By camped69 on 1/1/2008 4:45:04 AM , Rating: 2

My point is, this is unnecessary. And the government sells it to you as a good thing. I don't believe it will make a difference but I have been wrong before.
If a criminal is on the run they will either
a)change their appearance
or
b) not give a rats ass and be so brazen and lawless that they will not change their appearance. So the billboard doesn't do much except get the public conditioned to seeing MORE of the government. Rat your neighbor mentality. I thought they had a TV show for this? What are they going to do? Continually cycle the people on the list. 150 of these screens??, with more on the way I'm sure. One will be coming to a town near you very soon it seems. This is the last type of thing I want to see in my town. And trust me, I'm not some anti-American non military type. I've served my time, and I have the belief that the FBI/CIA/Homeland Security is for the most part up to NO GOOD. Granted this is just a billboard and doesn't seem like much in and of it's self. But not a week goes by that something of this type isn't being employed somewhere.

There is absolutely nothing to stop the government from slapping "your" face up on that billboard. You actually think you will get a fair trial? Good Luck with that. Habeus Corpus is toast. Oh, and the fed can name anyone an enemy combatant for any reason and at that point you might as well kiss your ass goodbye. And this is just the tip of the iceberg concerning our governments unchecked and criminal powers. Our privacies are being stripped as you read this and they will not stop until they are completely gone.

Missing persons possibly, known guilty escapees sure, persons wanted for allegedly committing a crime probably not, their most wanted terrorist: Osama Bin Laden? Give me a break, they could have had him any time they wish. The last thing I want to see is that idiot on the big screen as I commute to work in the morning.

So yes, if law enforcement did their job, as AMERICANS of this Republic, perhaps these criminal elements would not have expanded their powers as much as they have. And your right Camaro, the government hasn't done much of anything right in the last 7 years and I'm a diehard Republican. So stow your labels. I am not blaming any law enforcement personnel, I am just stating that "all" Americans need to be completely aware of what is happening. I am confident that many are. It is evident that patriots will be need to defend this country soon. So yes, you had better hope that there are going to be a hell of alot more than "one" of me.
Peace

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RE: Great billboard usage

By wonderhat7 on 1/17/2008 7:05:26 PM , Rating: 2

am i the only one who thinks its racist that the person they picked randomly to display for having done a crime for that picture happens to be BLACK>?!!?

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Tourists Beware!

By Inkjammer on 12/28/2007 1:10:17 PM , Rating: 2

I'm a Philadelphia resident when I'm not traveling abroad, and I'm for it to some degree. But I still have to wonder what impact (if any) this will have on tourism. America is known as a strangely violent place, and having giant billboards for serial killers flashing "have you seen me?" may not sit well with some.

I mean, really, what other country would put out giant external TV billboards that essentially advertises murderers, rapists and terrorists? $10 says driving down the road in Philly you'll see the following: beer ad, beer ad, beer ad, FBI ad, beer ad, hair replacement ad.

If it stops crime I'm for it, but it seems unnecessarily grim.

RE: Tourists Beware!

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 1:20:28 PM , Rating: 3

Well, no offense man, but I'm more concerned with my own safety & other American's safety in the cities that we live in, rather than what a tourist thinks of downtown Cleveland, or Philadephia, or any other city because of billboards.

My motto to tourists: If you dont like it, then leave. And don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By rushfan2006 on 12/28/2007 2:21:26 PM , Rating: 2

I agree. Sadly this is the times we live in, this is reality. People can't be rebellious, do whatever they want, be disrespectful, etc. etc. and then not expect eventually changes to happen because of that. "Consequence" and "Responsibility" two words Americans, particularly younger Americans - don't understand at all.

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By Christopher1 on 12/28/07, Rating: 0

RE: Tourists Beware!

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 5:47:40 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Wrong. Younger Americans do understand those words, just people like me do not believe in the 'old person's' definition of that.

No, the younger society does understand it, they just think it doesn't apply to them....which is what you are saying somewhat. Basically, they think everything should be handed down to them, and there should be no consequences for their actions. Hell, in your opinion, we may as well not have laws at all and just everyone do whatever they want.

quote:
In 99 out of 100 cases, when someone is saying that someone should 'face the consequences' or 'doesn't act responsibly'.... they are just spouting out THEIR views on what a person does, and they really need to STFU.

No, they are speaking from logical thoughts & examples. Taking responsibility for your actions is one of the biggest things that good parents try to teach their children.

quote:
Secondly, you CAN do anything you want as long as you are not killing someone, forcibly raping someone or threatening them into sex, or stealing from someone.

Wrong...and just a flat out stupid comment.

quote:
Anything else.... I say, "Go ahead and do it! It's only hurting you in the short and long run!"

And how about it hurting those 7 yr olds in the long run that you believe is ok to convince them that having sex with you is ok.

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By jamdunc on 12/28/2007 1:37:17 PM , Rating: 2

You have to remember a lot of tourists are put off by the stupidly long time it takes to get in to the US, so a silly billboard isn't really going to matter.

I know that for myself it doesn't but waiting to get through Homeland Security points and having to answer about 3 billion questions on my visit is the reason i don't now holiday in the states. Not that I have anything to hide but I want to enjoy my holiday, not wait in a queue and then be 'interrogated' to get in.

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By onwisconsin on 12/28/2007 2:19:17 PM , Rating: 2

People should *already* be aware that in large cities you will have poverty (which [of course] is associated with crime). If you're visiting Milwaukee you would already know from living in Philly that there are problems in any big city. However, you would know if you stayed out of troublesome neighborhoods, especially at night, you will be (more than likely) safe.

If it does get help capturing people that have tried to dodge the police and/or their court date, it's not a bad idea. If a tourist thinks big cities are perfect, he/she is very oblivious to reality...

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By Christopher1 on 12/28/2007 5:34:42 PM , Rating: 2

Bigger thing that would get help is also offering a monetary reward for information that leads to the capture of these people, which I didn't see if they were also offering that or not.

The money incentive leads people to turn in a lot of people and to complain about things that they normally wouldn't complain about.

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By rudy on 12/28/2007 4:38:48 PM , Rating: 2

They already have these signs around they just are not electronic so they need to paste new ones up as information changes. This is just a really effective use of the technology and obviously they won't be putting them up outside of sea world. I would not worry. Also I do not think America is a violent place I have traveled abroad and in other places Tourist are major targets of crime. Yet it does not stop people from traveling to all of these places by the millions even when the US embassy advises against it.

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RE: Tourists Beware!

By wordsworm on 12/29/2007 8:01:22 AM , Rating: 1

When I visited El Paso Texas years back, I was struck by how all the houses had bars on the windows, doors, high brick or wire fences, often with barbed wire at the top. Also, when I was on the bus heading back to O-Canada, I was struck by how the bus got stopped by some super cops with semi-automatic rifles looking for Mexicans.

I think you hit the motherload on this: the fact is that it does scare Americans. Scared Americans are easily controlled. Furthermore, it's easier to get more taxes to 'fight crime.' Good comment Inkjammer.

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How do people do it?

By Sylar on 12/28/2007 2:10:02 PM , Rating: 2

Anyone got statistics on how many criminals have been caught due recognition of wanted posters? Seriously, I would not recognize a criminal from a billboard I saw briefly as I drove by. And since I live in NY, I pass by thousands of people on the streets, I don't necessarily look at each one and consciously think if they're criminals so if one were to walk past me, I would probably not even realize it even if I did take a good look at him. On top of that, I suspect criminals would have made slight changes to appearances(shaved, bald, glasses, etc) that would make it even more difficult.

RE: How do people do it?

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 2:21:07 PM , Rating: 3

I'm not sure really. That would take some investigation. However, I did find this intersting article on CCN's website about the FBI Most Wanted Top 10 list and its figures: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/08/14/fbi.mostwant...

"464 candidates on the list, 435 have either been arrested or located as a result of various types of enforcement activity and information generated from the American public as a result of the publicity from the list."

Sounds like a good trade off to me!

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RE: How do people do it?

By rudy on 12/28/2007 5:24:57 PM , Rating: 2

I don't think I would either if the guy just walked by me in the street. Rather I think these signs work when you come in contact with these people multiple times, think about it the opposite way. This guy comes into your store a couple times a week or lives near you. Then you see the sign and you say hmm looks similar so you double check and finally call the police. The other option is no info out at all and he lives near you for years and finally when he commits another major crime he is connected to his previous crimes.

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RE: How do people do it?

By Christopher1 on 12/28/2007 5:32:43 PM , Rating: 1

You have a good point about that 'people would change their appearance thing'. Personally, when I let my beard grow out and don't shave for a few days and don't wear my glasses or take them off.... even some people who I see EVERY DAY cannot recognize me or have a hard time of it, unless they have seen me like that before.

Heck, even washing my hair (which changes it from a dark brown to very light orange) changes my appearance so much that some people cannot believe it is me.

Now, in some cases these images do help to catch criminals (real criminals, like forcible rapists, murderers, etc.) but in most cases, like back in the Old West..... they don't work very well.

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RE: How do people do it?

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 5:50:22 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
(real criminals, like forcible rapists, murderers, etc.)

Stop with your whole "forcible rapists" crap - no one buys it. You believe statuatory rape is ok and acceptable, and its not. Sexual predators are just as bad as rapist, child abusers, etc.

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RE: How do people do it?

By FITCamaro on 12/28/2007 10:10:33 PM , Rating: 1

I would love to have a picture of you. That way when I see your ass up on the billboard, I'll give the cops a call. Will ask them if I can join in on the bust and be there for your accident when you trip over something sharp.

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Missing persons

By bighairycamel on 12/28/07, Rating: 0

RE: Missing persons

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 2:07:06 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
I wonder what the criteria are to be considered an "important" missing person

I'm sure it will have to be in response to an Amber Alert or something similar.

quote:
you don't earn at least $200k per year so your daughter is not considered an important missing person

Why does this great new piece of communication to help fight crime & find missing people have to turn into a "Class Warfare" debate?

quote:
Hopefully, that's a stretch to the truth but unfortunately it seems the news media likes to follow those guidelines

Because majority of the news media is "drive by" and broadcasted from a left wing point of view - which they already blame the rich for almost all problems in todays society - including that them paying 90% of the taxes just isn't enough!

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RE: Missing persons

By bighairycamel on 12/28/2007 2:21:43 PM , Rating: 1

quote:
Why does this great new piece of communication to help fight crime & find missing people have to turn into a "Class Warfare" debate?

My post was purely a "I hope this doesn't happen" post. I would just like to see what type of criteria they are using, and unfortunately in this society the first "important" piece that comes to mind is social stance. What else could the criteria be? Race? Hope not. Age? Still seems discriminatory. Media hype? Unfortunately another likely source, but again lets hope not. In order to classify something as "important" there HAS to be criteria. I would just love to know what it is.

Amber alerts are usually like breaking news... they send out the alert as soon as possible, so changing a bilboard because of an amber alert wouldn't be very time effective. Maybe after the fact, if the amber alert didn't help they could post it to the billboard.

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RE: Missing persons

By mdogs444 on 12/28/2007 2:27:15 PM , Rating: 2

Well i think we see eye to eye, but i for one refuse to accuse the FBI & local police of being biased when trying to capture wanted criminals and find missing persons. Its a hard job, and who am I to criticize.

I have a feeling the billboard will be some sort of screen that changes randomly throughout the day, so I'm sure they will have it setup to display multiple wanted people as well as missing persons.

So I highly doubt there is room for any kind of discrimination or bias.

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RE: Missing persons

By FITCamaro on 12/28/2007 10:15:28 PM , Rating: 1

I wouldn't say that man. In Orlando some hot, blonde 20 something daughter of a wealthy family went missing and she was on the news for a month. Big search parties and shit trying to find her. The parents were interviewed and talking about how wonderful their daughter was and "please, whoever has her please let her go."

That doesn't happen when some black girl goes missing because its a more common occurrence. Personally I think their picture should be flashed on the news, then let the authorities do their job.

I think the media definitely makes a lot bigger deal of hot, white chicks going missing than they do anyone else. Same with like those teacher sex scandals. If the chick is hot, she gets a lot more attention and a better deal than if she's not.

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