[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15695-15696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        AN EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, in 2006 and again in 2009, I brought to 
the attention of the House of Representatives law enforcement's new 
tactic of using billboards to deliver information to the public about 
wanted fugitives. Today, I will provide an update on progress regarding 
this effective partnership.
  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) now has the capability to 
send alerts nationwide via more than 2,000 high-tech electronic 
(digital) billboards. The first such nationwide alert posted on digital 
billboards was activated on August 2, 2010, as part of the FBI's 
manhunt in a serial bank-robbery case.
  The results, according to federal officials, were impressive. Soon 
after the suspect's photo was displayed on digital billboards, an FBI 
field office in Virginia received information from a tipster 
identifying the fugitive and providing, among other things, 
photographs. The suspect, dubbed the ``Granddad Bandit,'' was 
apprehended on August 11 in Baton Rouge, LA.
  Authorities had been chasing the ``Granddad Bandit'' for nearly two 
years. Based on bank videotapes and other evidence, he is suspected of 
robbing at least 25 banks in 13 states starting in 2008.
  ``A tip to the FBI made today's arrest possible,'' said US Attorney 
Neil H. MacBride in the Eastern District of Virginia. ``This is a great 
example of how the public and law enforcement must work together to 
keep our communities safe.''
  Michael Morehart, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richmond 
Division, thanked the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) 
for coordination of digital billboards, and also publicity on radio and 
in print.
  We hear the term ``partnership'' used frequently. I would like to 
explain to my colleagues what partnership means in this instance.
  The space and time on digital billboards are donated. The FBI worked 
closely with the outdoor advertising industry to develop computer 
software to facilitate the transfer images and text to digital 
billboards. Specifically, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) based in 
Utah built the computer software.
  At the FBI, management has shown a willingness to innovate. In 2007, 
the FBI--working with a fugitive task force--posted images of wanted 
fugitives in the Philadelphia area. Based on success there, the agency 
and the outdoor advertising industry expanded this tactic to other 
areas.
  On March 20, 2009, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller presented a 
Director's Community Leadership Award to outdoor advertising companies 
participating in the partnership.
  This month, Mr. Mueller presented a Director's Award of Excellence to 
Harry Coghlan of Clear Channel Outdoor's Spectacolor for his

[[Page 15696]]

role in assisting the FBI in Times Square. As an example, the FBI 
announced on September 12, 2010, that an alleged mobster who was 
featured on a large high-tech billboard in Times Square was arrested in 
Yonkers, NY.
  Meanwhile, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an 
arm of the Justice Department, has distributed more than 400 AMBER 
Alerts to digital billboards since June of 2008.
  I commend the partners in this effective use of technology to deliver 
information quickly in a mobile society on behalf of public safety.

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