FBI Debuts Digital Billboards

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The FBI is rolling out 150 digital billboards in twenty cities across the country. While this seems pretty cool, it makes you wonder how long it will take for someone to hack one or worse, shoot at it like so many signs you see on the roadside already.

Some 150 digital billboards -- capable of displaying fugitives, missing children, or public safety info in real-time -- to 20 major cities around the country, following a successful trial launched in Philadelphia in September. So if you're planning on committing a felony in Des Moines, Iowa or Akron, Ohio soon, better get it done quick, lest your ugly mug become the talk of the car pool during your morning commute.
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don't worry, it probably only cost about $8 billion or so. Nothing too much.
 
The is by far one of the dumbest ideas ever....

WTF are bolded

* Akron-Why ohio? Population 700,000
* Albuquerque- New mexico makes some kind of sense but seems more of an illegal immigrant idea rather than to combat and find criminals... Population 500,000
* Atlanta- This one makes sense, big city with alot of crime
* Chicago-This one makes sense, big city with alot of crime
* Cleveland
* Columbus
* Des Moines
* El Paso
* Indianapolis-
* Las Vegas
* Los Angeles
* Memphis
* Miami- This one makes sense, big city with alot of crime
* Milwaukee
* Minneapolis
* Newark-Makes sense
* Orlando-sorta makes sense
* Philadelphia- This one makes sense, big city with alot of crime
* Tampa
* Wichita

If this list is true... then where the hell are New York and San Diego? What about Boston? The placement of these billboards makes no sense to me. You want maximum exposure in places where they are most likely to hide... From what i remember the majority of 9/11 hijackers lived in big cities.:rolleyes:
 
I'm sure it's well spent. It's public information. Things we never otherwise see. How many people actually take the time to log into fbi.gov and see who's missing or who's America's Most Wanted? How many children come home from school and tell their mommies who's currently on their lunch's milk carton? Now THAT'S a waste of taxpayer's money if you ask me.

Instead of paying billboard artists thousands everytime FBI updates their information, they can do it themselves digitally.
 
missing from that list RussianHAXOR posted is St. Louis, MO.... correct me if I'm wrong...but St. Louis took the #1 spot in the nation for violent crime last year.

As for bullet holes...that's a redneck thing I think. Where I grew up...darn near every sign had at least 1 bullet hole in it. Where I live now I haven't seen any unless you go out into the country. Must be something to do with not having something else to do :p
 
They have some of they type billboards down I-275 and I-75 here in Michigan. It is like watching a giant HDTV as you drive down the road. They're super bright at night and very distracting.
 
yeah, we dont really have any of them in southern california... but i bet they waste alot of electricity as well as taxpayer money along side that. Seriously, these things are in some of the most illogical places ever.:rolleyes:
 
RussianHAXOR said:
yeah, we dont really have any of them in southern california... but i bet they waste alot of electricity as well as taxpayer money along side that. Seriously, these things are in some of the most illogical places ever.:rolleyes:
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Not as much electricity as running those huge mercury vapor lights that light up conventional billboards.
 
i am not sure what to think about these. i mean if they become common, does one become trained to fear or hunt down those posted on these? what if a person is put up by accident? or for more nefarious purposes
 
major WTF on akron, I live in akron and see those signs, I guess they are really trying to revamp the place or something, they just expanded the highway to a 3 lane, when the old 2 lane never had problems. eitherway Ak-rowdy lives on
 
This is nothing but a waste of taxpayer money. My god, we're turning into a society straight out of Blade Runner or even Minority Report. The effect is everyone watching everyone else for the one person that might or might not actually be guilty or suspected of something. I can just see it now:

"911, please state your emergency..."

"I'm calling about a billboard I just saw on the I-15. The guy's face, he's in the car next to me, we're rolling into downtown, lemme slow down so I can get his plate."

Or something to that effect. I wonder if someone that kills another driver because they were so busy dialing a cell phone in a high speed moving automobile can get out of a life sentence in prison by making such a claim in court after the fact.

"But your Honor, I was trying to call and report a wanted felon I saw on the billboard on the I-15, I didn't mean to kill that entire family and the 3 kids they were taking to a soccer game, really."

Yes it's extreme, but it more than likely will happen at some point.
 
The question is... Agh.. whats does it it to hack / crack it. Then take pictures, and spot on YouTube.

Thats what I'd be interested in.
 
The FBI said it tested its first billboard in the Philadelphia area in September, with crystal-clear images of 11 of its most violent fugitives on eight billboards and a 24-hour hotline for the public to call. The billboards paid quick public safety dividends. In October, two fugitives were captured as a direct result of the publicity, the FBI said.

Took one month to nab two guys in one city alone.

Cost to taxpayers is less than the heartache from having your child kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc.
 
himmy said:
The FBI said it tested its first billboard in the Philadelphia area in September, with crystal-clear images of 11 of its most violent fugitives on eight billboards and a 24-hour hotline for the public to call. The billboards paid quick public safety dividends. In October, two fugitives were captured as a direct result of the publicity, the FBI said.

Took one month to nab two guys in one city alone.

Cost to taxpayers is less than the heartache from having your child kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc.
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Exactly. People don't want to pay, and when something happens, they always wish they did. It's a vicious cycle.

My only problem is the FBI announcing where the signs are. Criminals will avoid these cities where they're likely to be recognized by people who seen the signs, and simply hide elsewhere.

On the other hand, these cities might become the safest city to live in lol
 
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/23351

Also says took 2 weeks to nab a guy in florida, he was at McD's, guy there saw the billboard earlier.

Or the bridge collapse in Minny, where the billboards almost immediately starting diverting traffic.

For those whining about Akron, it is not just the city you look at, it is the entire area. Article also says Cleveland is getting them. Cleveland and Akron are extremely close, 45 minute drive with moderate traffic on the highways. In between is nothing but suburb after suburb after suburb.

As tech advances, this is where we are going. More information, right in front of us. Just like those old signs that give up to date traffic delay info for highways in some cities(Chicago for one). This is just the next step.

As for total cost, this above article also mentions the number of existing billboards like this. These billboards already exist, and more are going up every single day. The FBI, just like anyone else, leases the billboard. They do not buy it, build it, etc. Just like your local BMV leases their space in the plaza where you go to renew your drivers license.
 
himmy said:
Cost to taxpayers is less than the heartache from having your child kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc.
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Yes, but the child gets kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc before they appear on the billboards.
 
RoBo said:
Yes, but the child gets kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc before they appear on the billboards.
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And? You seem to completely miss the point.

Kidnapping? It is about getting the kids face, and possibly the person who took him/her, out there ASAP before they leave the area. The first 24 or 48 hours are the most important in finding a missing person.

Rape/murder/anything else beyond taking the child can be prevented if found soon enough.
 
w1retap said:
Not as much electricity as running those huge mercury vapor lights that light up conventional billboards.
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The ones around here in PA have a few solar panels mounted on the top. I doubt it's enough juice to completly power them, but hey, every little bit helps.
 
I don't really see the vandalism issue being that big. We have these all over Las Vegas (they've replaced a good percentage of our paper-boards with digital boards). They're owned by the media companies, but Metro Police and company always use them for fugitive issues (they have a contract to post instantly to the board, if I remember). Pretty good. Although they always use bright fricken yellow for the fugitives, gah :)
 
himmy said:
The FBI said it tested its first billboard in the Philadelphia area in September, with crystal-clear images of 11 of its most violent fugitives on eight billboards and a 24-hour hotline for the public to call. The billboards paid quick public safety dividends. In October, two fugitives were captured as a direct result of the publicity, the FBI said.

Took one month to nab two guys in one city alone.

Cost to taxpayers is less than the heartache from having your child kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc.
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QFT.

If it's already proving to have some effects in the capturing of criminals, then more power to 'em.

RoBo said:
Yes, but the child gets kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc before they appear on the billboards.
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Wrong attitude to have. It's about preventing another child or woman being kidnapped, raped and/or murdered, by stopping the scumbag criminals before they can do it again. You cant stop someone from doing something before they've done it, unless the billboard can also see into the future :rolleyes:

In my family's history (I'm originally from urban cities on the East Coast, as is my entire family off the boat from Italy) there have been three rapes and two murders, one being an extremely brutal rape and murder of my Aunt, so I'm not going to debate the issue any further. Especially considering I now have a daughter. So if these billboards help capture possible repeat offenders, then they should use them as much as possible. Money is nothing compared to having to go the funeral of a family member taken from you by some strunzo coward who commits such abhorrent crimes.

ir0nw0lf said:
I'd die if one BSOD'ed! :p
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On a "lighter" note, that would be hysterical. I'd probably wreck my car laughing if I saw something like that happen.
 
i don't get why people always have to make fun of the places that are chosen for these types of things. crime happens everywhere.

Random Dumbass said:
Why Des Moines? WTF LOL!! Des Moines isn't as cool as my town, and i know ALL about every town ever. stupid Des Moines, LOL WTF!!
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you sound ridiculous criticizing the cities that were chosen. they were obviously researched and/or could provide the proper funding and test bed that the FBI needs. putting these billboards in every town is probably the end-goal, but they need to see where it's most effective first, and obviously they thought des moines might be a good place for these billboards. (can you tell that i have an attachment to des moines yet?)

RoBo said:
Yes, but the child gets kidnapped, raped, murdered, etc before they appear on the billboards.
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a lot of the people that make it to these lists are repeat offenders. getting them off the street makes it so that they won't rape, kill, maim another victim. that's the point someone was trying to make earlier.
 
bbz_Ghost said:
This is nothing but a waste of taxpayer money. My god, we're turning into a society straight out of Blade Runner or even Minority Report. The effect is everyone watching everyone else for the one person that might or might not actually be guilty or suspected of something. I can just see it now:

"911, please state your emergency..."

"I'm calling about a billboard I just saw on the I-15. The guy's face, he's in the car next to me, we're rolling into downtown, lemme slow down so I can get his plate."

Or something to that effect. I wonder if someone that kills another driver because they were so busy dialing a cell phone in a high speed moving automobile can get out of a life sentence in prison by making such a claim in court after the fact.

"But your Honor, I was trying to call and report a wanted felon I saw on the billboard on the I-15, I didn't mean to kill that entire family and the 3 kids they were taking to a soccer game, really."

Yes it's extreme, but it more than likely will happen at some point.
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I didnt think about that, i just thought about the fact that Los Angeles is the only City in California getting one when we are the most populous state in america... :rolleyes:
 
Spidey329 said:
I don't really see the vandalism issue being that big. We have these all over Las Vegas (they've replaced a good percentage of our paper-boards with digital boards).
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I was born, raised and educated in Vegas. I lived there my whole life before moving here....and that is EXACTLY why I brought up the vandalism aspect. I actually remember when a sign was shot up WHILE a local camera crew from KTNV was on-site doing a vandalism story...now that was funny. :D
 
Nemesis999 said:
Ya... guess that's an American thing, I don't think I've ever seen a roadsign with bullet holes...
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Same here.

While I'm sure they can break down, crack, etc. they should still help a lot; not only to catch people but also to scare criminals from doing anything bad. I think they're great as long as they don't end up being insanely overpriced like most government work. (They'll usually come up with excuses and spend 50 million on something that should only cost one)

Overall, this isn't something I'd mind my taxes going towards. I just hope they're used by the FBI ONLY because where I live, they've put projectors in metro stations a few years ago and claimed they'd be 80% informative (news, missing people info, etc.) and now it's 90% commercials and 10% anything else. The only information we get is on the weather, the time and on what products to buy. And it doesn't help that the walls, FLOORS and entire metros are covered in giant ads...yet the transit pass price keeps going up. /rante
 
Big D. said:
Same here.

While I'm sure they can break down, crack, etc. they should still help a lot; not only to catch people but also to scare criminals from doing anything bad. I think they're great as long as they don't end up being insanely overpriced like most government work. (They'll usually come up with excuses and spend 50 million on something that should only cost one)

Overall, this isn't something I'd mind my taxes going towards. I just hope they're used by the FBI ONLY because where I live, they've put projectors in metro stations a few years ago and claimed they'd be 80% informative (news, missing people info, etc.) and now it's 90% commercials and 10% anything else. The only information we get is on the weather, the time and on what products to buy. And it doesn't help that the walls, FLOORS and entire metros are covered in giant ads...yet the transit pass price keeps going up. /rante
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unfortunately...commercials pay better than the news and weather :(
 
Well yeah over in Los Angeles some people tag (do graffiti) on billboards... some of these billboards being on a pole 20 feet high on the roof of a building. I always wondered how they reached them and when they did it. Muchos juevos
 
-O-rigin said:
On a "lighter" note, that would be hysterical. I'd probably wreck my car laughing if I saw something like that happen.
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Apple should just buy advertisement time on a whole series of billboards. And just have them ALL show BSODs! :D
 
I've driven past the one in Orlando, you wouldn't know it's provided by the FBI, because all I ever see displayed is advertisements. Well, one "ad" shows the time and temperature.

Placement was pretty good though, it's on the 528 going from the Airport to International Drive, the tourist hotspot.
 
[UPS] Sorce;1031858098 said:
I've driven past the one in Orlando, you wouldn't know it's provided by the FBI, because all I ever see displayed is advertisements. Well, one "ad" shows the time and temperature.

Placement was pretty good though, it's on the 528 going from the Airport to International Drive, the tourist hotspot.
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Because it is NOT provided by the FBI. Never has been, never will be, never was intended to be.

The FBI leases the add space, just like McD's would, or Wendy's would. When you lease the ad space, it is part of a rotation of ads.
 
Steve said:
The FBI is rolling out 150 digital billboards in twenty cities across the country. While this seems pretty cool, it makes you wonder how long it will take for someone to hack one or worse, shoot at it like so many signs you see on the roadside already.
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Im sure they where be surronded by like bullet proof glass or something, they will be expecting shit like that, specially if it is displaying the pic of a fugitive and that fugitive sees it lol.

now hacking it, that could lead to some funny shit. Big billboards displaying porn to thousands of people in the city.
 
This looks like a really great system.

It also looks as if it will be really expensive for taxpayers.
 
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