Wanted billboards catch criminals
Photo
The wanted posters that appear on electronic billboards around Janesville have proven to be highly successful at catching criminals.
BILLBOARD SUCCESS
People located after getting placed on digital billboards:
-- Brett Bertrand, 28, De Pere, on suspicion of intimidation.
-- Brian Fulwiley, 32, Chicago Heights, Ill., on suspicion of delivery of cocaine.
-- Jerome Eddings, 23, Tempe, Ariz., on suspicion of stalking and bail jumping.
-- Michael Coleman, 21, of 423 Williams St., Janesville, on suspicion of armed robbery and delivery of cocaine.
-- Megan Jensen, 17, of 1536 Barberry Drive, Janesville, on suspicion of running away.
-- Matthew L. Kirt, 17, of 2302 Liberty Lane, Janesville, on suspicion of possession of marijuana.
-- Brittany L. Barritt, 20, of 2601 Meadow Lane, Janesville, on suspicion of felony bail jumping.
-- Joshua Nobs, 22, of Titusville, Fla., on suspicion of felony forgery.
-- Gary E. McCarty Jr., 43, of 275 Rockport Road, Janesville, on suspicion of escape.
-- Ryan C. Montcalm, 21, of 418 Harding St., Janesville, on suspicion of felony fleeing.
-- Kevin Darden, 38, found in a Kansas prison, on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.
-- Peter Smith, 25, of 219 Valley Drive, Janesville, on suspicion of felony bail jumping.
-- Troy Brown, 23, of 121 E. Court St., Janesville, on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.
-- Scott Sperb, 23, of 432½ N. Parker Drive, Janesville, on suspicion of burglary.
-- Sanford L. Nickles, 25, of 2016 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, on suspicion of drunken driving and hit-and-run.
-- Steven R. Salinas, 20, of 4409 Fairfield Drive, Janesville, on suspicion of forgery.
-- David Riggs, 33, of 1511 Ravine St., Janesville, on suspicion of felony bail jumping.
-- Javier Armas, 37, found in a Wisconsin prison, on suspicion of delivery of marijuana.
-- Bradley C. O’Brien, 21, of 2506 E. Racine St., Janesville, on suspicion of delivery of heroin.
-- Roshanda Ellison, 29, Beloit, on suspicion of obstructing an officer.
-- Terry Mosley, 44, of 1223 Ravine St., Janesville, on suspicion of delivery of heroin.
-- David McGuire, 27, of 1836 Garden Drive, Janesville, on suspicion of disarming a police officer.
-- A 14-year-old Janesville juvenile on suspicion of running away.
-- A 16-year-old Janesville juvenile on suspicion of running away.
-- An elderly woman found after missing for several hours.
JANESVILLE — Brett Bertrand was hard to catch.
The 28-year-old former Janesville resident was wanted on intimidation, false imprisonment and battery charges. But police couldn’t find him, and his family wasn’t cooperating.
But after Bertrand’s face was plastered on six digital billboards in the area, tipsters immediately told police Bertrand was in De Pere. He was arrested days later.
Police didn’t know it then, but Bertrand would be the first of 25 consecutive people found after their faces lit up the billboards. The program has a 100 percent success rate.
“We put up three people right away, and when we caught all three people in the first week, I knew this was going to work,” officer Chad Sullivan said.
Janesville Area CrimeStoppers and area law enforcement agencies began using the digital billboards in January 2008 after Lamar Outdoor Advertising offered the advertising space.
Wanted criminals, runaways and lost elderly residents have been found after their pictures were put on the billboards.
“It really fits the CrimeStoppers mission of prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals,” said Christine Rebout, president of Janesville Area CrimeStoppers. “There really is nowhere to hide in Janesville now.”
Capturing offenders
More than 1,300 people have active warrants in Janesville, Sullivan said.
But only a small percentage of suspects make the billboards.
People suspected of drug or violent offenses get put on the billboards, Sullivan said. Suspects who live in the area or who might bring in tips also get placed.
A suspect usually is on the signs for a week to a month.
“We try to get the most dangerous, but also people we really want to catch,” Sullivan said. “The goal of the wanted program is to get a wanted person in custody as soon as possible.”
Police hope wanted people turn themselves in, Sullivan said. They often do because they’re embarrassed about their picture on the billboards.
One mom even called police to complain about her son’s display.
“Mom didn’t want him on the boards,” Sullivan said. “We said, ‘Well, you have him turn himself in, and we’ll take it off.’ He turned himself in and took care of the warrant.”
Tipsters also help police find their suspects, he said.
“We’re looking for information,” Sullivan said. “People know where they are.”
Highly visible
Lamar placed six digital billboards in the Janesville area in July 2007.
The signs are located at the Center Avenue Bridge, Memorial Drive Bridge, Milton Avenue and West Court Street. Two signs are on Highway 14.
“People are driving and looking at these billboards,” Sullivan said. “These billboards are all in highly visible areas.”
About 98,000 people are exposed to the six billboards every day, said Brad Yarmark, general manager for Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
When advertising space is available, CrimeStoppers can display free messages picturing wanted offenders, Yarmark said.
CrimeStoppers never advertised on regular billboards because it wasn’t worth the time and money, Rebout said. But digital billboards are practical.
And they feature CrimeStoppers messages about 60 percent of the time, Yarmark said.
“Our ability to assist and partner with law enforcement agencies in the cities we serve is really a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “I’m just happy that we can provide a valuable service like this and it seems to be working really well.”
And the billboards draw eyes.
Rebout’s friend put her picture on one billboard to announce her 40th birthday. She received 10 calls.
“I was amazed at the response,” she said. “People really do see them.”
Sep 19, 2009 at 9:24 a.m.
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there is someone breaking into cars on barberry. we found a picture of him today. so if you want to help us find him then look for a white pick up tuck or some one breaking into a car!!!
good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 19, 2009 at 2:59 p.m.
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Thank you..
Mar 19, 2009 at 8:07 a.m.
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nurse4u--You really are in a tough position. But you're right, your daughter is your number 1 priority. It's his loss not to spend time with her. I will put your little girl in my prayers.
Mar 18, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.
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davvic-BTW- He is not on myspace but his girlfriend and friends are.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.
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No, I am not going to stoop to his level. Even if I did he probably would not even blink. He is still married but getting a divorce, living with another girl with her three sons. He has a son that is 5 months younger than our youngest daughter, with his current wife. He has been charged four times with domestic battery, twice with me and once each with two other women (including his wife). As much as a dead beat that he is, I do have my two beautiful little girls that my husband treats as his own.
No matter what, I will ALWAYS be there with my daughter. Right now, she is sick but not hospitalized as yet. It helps being an RN cuz I can monitor her health.. Actually, my daughter was/is my inspiration to be a nurse.
Thank you for all your thoughtful comments. Sometimes it just helps to vent. It just gets frustrating. Even with all the new medical advances, we are not sure about her quantity of life, but I am sure gonna make sure her QUALITY of life is the best she can have. We just got her paperwork from Make a Wish foundation. She was approved for her wish. She can't decide yet if she wants to meet Brett Favre at the Ronald McDonald House or the crew from ICarly or spend the night at Cinderella's Castle...I just hope her "father" signs the paperwork...We need both signatures.. That is why I am nervous about taking him back into court. If he gets mad at me he may be vindictive to her.
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:41 a.m.
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NURSE4U-Unfortunately, even if you could afford a lawyer the case could still drag on for years. I know, my niece has been dealing with a similar situation. Is there a way you could humiliate him on MySpace? If he's on there he must care somewhat about what people think of him even if he thinks being trashed is a way to impress them. There's alot of people out there who wouldn't be so impressed if they knew what a deadbeat he was. Get creative!
Mar 17, 2009 at 5:59 p.m.
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well i do agree he needs to be up there too. i think that would be great if they did put all dead beat parents up there then whenever they walk around in public someone will notice who they are and what kind of parent they are again i am sorry about your daughter, i have two small children i don't don't even pretend to know what it is like to be in your shoes and do commend you for sticking by your daughter side and taking great care of her.
Mar 17, 2009 at 5:21 p.m.
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Lawyers cost money. I don't have anymore to spare. I have to pay $600 a month for one medication (Sildenafil) that keeps my daughter's lung pressure from becoming higher, they are already supersystemic (she has pulmonary hypertension). I also have to pay 50% towards her cataract surgeries and her cardiac catherization. I also pay health insurance.
She has had five open heart surgeries. Do you know how often her father was there?? IF he even showed up. I wish he would just sign his rights away & let my husband adopt them. He messes with their heads too much. Like they NEED that...
She had septicemia once had to be med flighted to Children's..I called her dad. He told me, "What do you want me to do about it? I am on vacation."
Mar 17, 2009 at 4:52 p.m.
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nurse4u- sounds like it is time to get a lawyer to fight for your kids what a jerk sorry to hear about your daughter
Mar 17, 2009 at 4:37 p.m.
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I find it ironic that (in regards to deadbeat parents) when you have been court ordered to pay something or do something (such as pay for health insurance or 1/2 of unisured medical costs) that you have to go back to court to enforce the order that was already in place. I am a mother of four with a daughter who is terminally ill. My husband and I both work full time positions. I am always with my daughter for surgeries and tests and treatments, traveling constantly to Milwaukee from here in Janesville. I do not have TIME to go back to court. So I am the one who gets screwed. On top of all that, I repeatedly see my daughters' dad's pics on myspace trashed at bars. He has money for drinks & to do keg stands. I have asked to just sign his rights to my husband over..He sees my girls maybe three hours a month.. Can I pay to have him on a BILLBOARD??
Mar 17, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.
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THEKID3477- But of course!
Mar 17, 2009 at 8:28 a.m.
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dead beat moms too of course
Mar 17, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.
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latinmami2- Interesting about the snafu in Oklahoma. Here's a link to the story for anyone interested in reading about some of the prison system's shortcomings: http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=...
Mar 17, 2009 at 7:36 a.m.
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SPARK-Great idea to put deadbeat dads up there. I think that would be very effective because there are alot of "law-abiding, respectable members of the community" that refuse to pay child support and I think they are one of the few criminals you might be able to shame into making them pay.
Mar 17, 2009 at 2:33 a.m.
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To my knowledge-David McGuire was put on a billboard for suspicion of disarming a police officer & for violation of felony probation/parole when in fact that sentence had already been completed. At the time he was only wanted for a misdemeanor violation for misdeamonor probation. His attorney found the mistake and David had those charges dropped. It was very embarrassing for himself and his family.
IMO-David was being repeatedly tazzed by a police officer and it did not affect David the way it normally does most indivduals, and the police officer just kept doing it. David just wanted it to stop and took it off the police officer.
FYI-I have the utmost respect for the law but just like anywhere there are always a few bad apples.
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:31 p.m.
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I don't get it. Why do cops search for people who are in custody somewhere else. Can't they find them in their computers? I think they just wasted a bunch of time and money. How many other people are already in custody?
And how did that poor person end up in a cell with someone who was also in the same crime. Again, no one using the computer? odd to me.
Mar 16, 2009 at 4:21 p.m.
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for the runaways though it would be good if someone found them and then could help remove them from the bad situation they are in
Mar 16, 2009 at 4:21 p.m.
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it was in oklahoma that it happened
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
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sorry didnt mean to copy the suggest removal
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
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Suggest removal 2 found in prison; that's funny! I didn't know you could get lost in prison
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i just read this article where an inmate got placed into the same cell as the person he testified against and they found him dead 15 minutes later. talk about messing up the paperwork
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
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2 found in prison; that's funny! I didn't know you could get lost in prison.
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
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How about free advertising for small businesses that are locally owned instead of cluttering those billboards up with stupid crap. They are the ones who need help the most right now.
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everyone is hurting right now not just the small businesses. and i think that this helps take crime off the street especially if people are going to turn themselves in or people who know them are turning them in then it is becoming a community effort to keep the streets clean
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.
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How about free advertising for small businesses that are locally owned instead of cluttering those billboards up with stupid crap. They are the ones who need help the most right now.
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:13 p.m.
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agree dead beat parents should be up there, we could avoid wasting money putting up traffic offenders though that is sort of a waste. but everything else i think is fair game
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:05 p.m.
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People that owe child support should also be on these.
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:46 p.m.
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I have mixed feelings about putting minors on these boards"
So do I but then they aren't above the law just like all the others who make it on to the wanted boards. It's a tricky situation.
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post kids who are 16 and above think they are adults and try to do adult things like drinking and staying out late and all that stuff they should be put up there if the crime fits maybe that will make them think twice
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:43 p.m.
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i think this is a great idea, i also think they should do this with newly released sex offenders
Mar 16, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
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davvic- I totally agree with you. This person made a mistake. He/she was not innocent, in fact it was a guilty plea that got the written agreement set up. My point is that they need to better control who is up there. And more so, when we called that Friday night when it was posted all the police said was that it will have to wait til Monday for anything to be done. This person admitted guilt, started receiving treatment, then had to deal with tons of calls pointing out the billboard. Mistakes happen, I get that, hell the person in question made a few and that is how we got here, but why when they realized it was a mistake did they not pull it down and take the name off the list. This person has been clean for over a year now, yet she is being harrased again.
Mar 16, 2009 at 12:46 p.m.
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GOBADGERS-you said "That person had a written agreement with the courts to seek help for the addiction issues they had." Well he may well have beat the rap but he clearly wasn't "innocent" if he had an agreement with the courts. Granted a mistake was made and his face was put up there when it shouldn't have, but everytime you do something that warrants you being run through the system then you take that chance. Which brings me to another point. I would love to see them running pictures of convicted local sex offenders up there so kids could learn to recognize them. And don't bombard me with "they did their time they should be left alone" messages. We all know there is no cure for a pedophile.
Mar 16, 2009 at 12:02 p.m.
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This is great in theory. But you have to look at the wording in some of the charges. Suspicion of ..... I know for a fact that one of the people listed in this article was innocent of the charge. That person had a written agreement with the courts to seek help for the addiction issues they had. The court filed the document wrong and that person got embarrassing call after call saying that they had been seen on the board. And now our wonderful paper drags their name in the mud again. Thanks City of Janesville and Janesville Gazette. I can no longer see my friend because they moved away to avoid the harrassing calls all because of these boards.
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:32 a.m.
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biggirl-
umm.. not tryin to start an arguement but if thats what u have to do then fine by me..
soo ure basically sayin that it is okay..?
it's not, people are way better off the drugs then they are on..
GET IT GOT IT ..
GOOD..
thanks,
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:38 a.m.
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biggirl-It is very obvious who's side you're on after reading all your posts to practically any article on here...the criminals. Maybe you should take some of your hate for law enforcement and anything related to that topic and channel it into something positive that would actually do some good.
Mar 16, 2009 at 7:39 a.m.
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I like the idea of these signs, but I agree with the posters who said it would be nice if the pictures stayed up there a few seconds longer each time.
Mar 16, 2009 at 5:17 a.m.
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I also think it is a good idea. Not much to complain about from me today....
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:02 a.m.
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Why is it in Wisconsin that a 17 year old can be charged criminally as an adult for a crime, but is considered a minor if they have consensual relations with a legal adult?
IMO- I agree the billboards are a great idea, but some of the individuals featured are only wanted for petty crimes such as Operating after revocation. I am sure we have violent offenders that the space could be used for instead.
Mar 15, 2009 at 11:05 p.m.
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just for the record peter c smith turned himself in because he was going away anyways!!
Mar 15, 2009 at 7:03 p.m.
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SarahB- good point. Yet I feel the ones placed on there are/would be repeat offenders. So I think some privacy rights should be lost..
Mar 15, 2009 at 2:59 p.m.
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SarahB1 said: "I have mixed feelings about putting minors on these boards"
So do I but then they aren't above the law just like all the others who make it on to the wanted boards. It's a tricky situation.
Lots of kids nowadays have huge egos and an overinflated sense of entitlement and need a wake up call. Maybe these boards can give potential troublemakers the jolt they need to make them think twice before breaking the law.
Being a teen is mortifying enough sometimes without the possibility of having criminal charges posted for the world to see.
I also agree that the rotation time on the boards could be slowed a bit.
Mar 15, 2009 at 2:20 p.m.
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i do wish they would slow down the cycle rate of the ads. by the time i get close enough to read who it is or what the ad is it changes. keep each ad up for a few more seconds each time.
Mar 15, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
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Actually it's 2 in every hundred (1% of 60,000 is 600). But a good chunk of those are warrants because it's someone who is transient or doesn't actually live here. As it says, "suspects who live in the area" are given priority for the billboards. In fact a lot of the warrants that are outstanding are precisely because it's someone that JPD can't just go arrest.
Mar 15, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.
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This is one of the best ideas they came up with.
Mar 15, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.
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Is it just me or is it especially sad to know almost 1 in every hundred residence in our city have outstanding warrants? Laws aren't that difficult to follow, are they?!
Mar 15, 2009 at 12:07 p.m.
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This does open up a lot of ideas for these signs doesn't it. I especially like how these 'wanted criminals' are not only being looked for after being displayed, but just being displayed on the sign in the first place is sort of a second punishment!
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Just think if the crazed drunk person who goes to jail and acts like a complete monster before and after the arrest.....got their face on the billboard (drunk face). This would help curtail a few of the repeat drunks possibly. Sort of like, the local news station shows each previous days OWI arrests, domestics etc. Wish they would!
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ONE COMPLAINT about these billboards. The local tanning salon on the west side is now advertising their business by maikng it similar to the "wanted" signs. I think this assimilation should stop immediately.
Mar 15, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
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beeferer, those are good concerns, and I especially like the idea of occasionally throwing in a "100% captured" rate (I don't know how much that would cost, though). On the other hand you also have the prospect of people living and coming here who will see the billboards and perhaps think twice about how soft Janesville is. (As it is, a lot of the juveniles and young adults who come here during the summer, sent from one of the nearby big cities to "get them away from the gangs" or whatever, have a sense of impunity about Janesville lawmen.) And the business owner might think this is a place that has good, effective policing.
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I do think it would be great if biggirl's idea was put together by a community organization. "Person of the Month", say. Get a business to sponsor it (maybe not in this economy, though -- on the other hand maybe the sign space is going for pretty cheap).
Mar 15, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
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biggirl- not to point you out to start an argument. But your kidding right? I mean some of the most violent people around are drug pushers/users.. These offenders that are being posted on the boards are "bigger criminals" in some way. Dont you think they should be taken off the streets regardless of how that is acheived? I do.
Mar 15, 2009 at 11:10 a.m.
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This concept started years ago with the "dead beat dad" posters. Fathers/mothers who were not paying child support.. I think they should toss a few of these up on the billboards as well.
Mar 15, 2009 at 10:49 a.m.
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Yea, I thought maybe it'd be embarrassing! That's awesome, embarrass the criminal to turn themselves in!
Mar 15, 2009 at 10:18 a.m.
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"People suspected of drug or violent offenders," you write. Most drug offenses are non-violent, and I don't see why we need to lump them in with the worst of the worst. Is there no concern, as well, for what such boards do for our sense of community? Can we never have feel-good billboards about people who do good things?
Mar 15, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
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It is a wonderful tool. And the fact it's successful is icing on the cake. Now the Cops theme is running in my head....
Mar 15, 2009 at 9:05 a.m.
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I LOVE this idea! It is a no-brainer utilizing these billboards for effectively getting exposure about these suspicious characters and putting them where they belong. Great job to the police department. However- let's look at a hypothetical situation. Now let's say you are a business owner looking for a place to expand in south-central Wisconsin. You take a ride through Janesville because you've heard of the incredibly high work ethics of people in this area who have earned numerous nationally recognized awards for their efforts. Now as you are driving through town, you can't help but notice the ever-changing digital billboards and about 60% of the time they are displaying pictures of wanted criminals. Would you get the impression that crime is rampant in this city? The good outweighs the bad in this situation and I say keep using them for this purpose but- how about throwing into the mix a display showing the success rate statistics from using them this way? I'm sure that would go far in quelling their chariness about locating here in town. Just my opinion.
Mar 15, 2009 at 8:51 a.m.
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I think this is great! Since it seems to have worked so well maybe other nearby communities should follow suit.
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