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Digital Billboards Fighting Crime 451-Style
The FBI has decided to tear a page from Ray Bradbury's book by using enormous video billboards to get the public - the entire public - to fight crime.
(Digital Billboards with FBI wanted posters)
The FBI is working with Clear Channel Outdoor to begin showing mug shots to millions via electronic billboards along major highways. The company is donating the time (consisting of eight second spots).
Clear Channel Outdoor will preempt paid advertising if the FBI needs to broadcast an urgent message, according to company president Paul Meyer.
According to an AP report, criminals have been known to turn themselves in after seeing their photos.
I'm strongly reminded of the scene in Fahrenheit 451 when the police interrupt the White Clown and Mr. Gimmick on the parlor walls (predecessor of today's big screen TVs) with a special request.
"Police suggest entire population in the Elm Terrace area do as follows: Everyone in every house in every street open a front or rear door or look from the windows. The fugitive cannot escape if everyone in the next minute looks from his house. Ready!"Of course! Why hadn't they done it before! Why, in all the years, hadn't this game been tried! Everyone up, everyone out...
He imagined thousands on thousands of faces peering...
(Read more about Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451)
Via FBI Mug Shots to Hit Digital Billboards.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 12/24/2007)
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