Sign Up LA Announces FBI Used Digital Signs in Hunt for Boston Bombing Suspects

LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The FBI and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) requested the assistance of sign companies and used digital signs throughout the Boston area to display emergency messages during the hunt for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects last week. The signs also displayed images earlier this week honoring the bombing victims during a city-wide moment of silence.

The digital signs, which were called into action after the bombings occurred last Monday, displayed information on boards throughout the city and were updated as new information developed. The digital signs made it possible for the FBI and MEMA to display real-time information during the rapidly-evolving emergency situation. The signs were used to display 'wanted' ads for both suspects, inform Bostonians of the city-wide lockdown and spread news of events as they occurred.

The use of the digital signs by the public safety agencies was featured in articles in ABC News, the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

Unfortunately, digital signs in the City of Los Angeles were recently turned off, with a court determining the signs' permits were not valid. Unless a legislative solution can be reached, these unique public safety resources will be unavailable to Los Angeles law enforcement and emergency management agencies.

Each year, $450 million worth of media space is donated by the sign industry to support law enforcement and provide various other public services. The FBI, and other public safety agencies, use digital signs to display important and time-sensitive information critical to the continued safety of local communities. Digital sign companies are proud to partner with the FBI and other public safety agencies to help in cases such as these, through the donation of sign space to display 'wanted' ads. Digital signs have been directly responsible for the apprehension of more than 50 violent criminals.

In Southern California, the FBI, Los Angeles Police Department, City of Los Angeles, U.S. Marshals Service, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Services have all turned to digital signs to enhance efforts to protect public safety.

Sign Up LA

Sign Up LA is a coalition of business groups, nonprofit organizations, community groups and sign companies supporting the reasonable use and location of digital signs in Los Angeles to ensure the Los Angeles community continues to receive the critical public safety benefits they provide. 

For more information, please visit the Sign Up LA website at www.SignUpLA.com or Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SignUpLA. You can also follow the coalition on twitter @signupla.

SOURCE Sign Up LA