Digital wanted posters up and running on billboards

On Monday, the signs began flashing the faces of fugitives and other sensitive information.

Star Tribune

Last update: February 4, 2008 - 11:28 PM

THE LATEST: Electronic billboards in the Twin Cities advertise everything from television programs to deals on cars, but on Monday, they began flashing the faces of fugitives and other sensitive information.

WHY: The FBI and Clear Channel Outdoor announced a new partnership in which the FBI will use digital billboards to post information about wanted suspects and people of interest, and to ask the public for help in finding criminals. The billboards also will be used to alert the public regarding crises and homeland security.

"This partnership provides the FBI with an opportunity to rapidly communicate with the public," said Ralph Boelter, special agent in charge of the FBI's Minneapolis office.

WHEN: The digital billboard network was introduced to Minnesota just over a year ago. Since its inception, the network of 16 digital billboards in the Twin Cities area has been used to publicize information about missing children, weather, traffic and other urgent messages such as bank robberies, along with the signs' primary purpose -- advertising.

LEADING OFF: The first name and face to appear on the "digital wanted posters" is that of Robert Gaye, who is wanted for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for criminal sexual conduct. His mugshot and biographical information will begin appearing on signs today.

The partnership between the FBI and Clear Channel Outdoor comes after information broadcast over digital sign boards in Philadelphia led to the capture of three criminals there.

TIM HARLOW

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