I read recently that the Clear Channel Outdoor digital billboard played a crucial role in the capture of the Gambino crime family boss, Steve Maiurro. Two days after being placed on the FBI’s featured fugitive list in conjunction with the Clear Channel Outdoor billboard program, Maiurro himself contacted the FBI. He faces charges in a Gambino crime family sex-trafficking scheme in Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York. In fact, I was surprised to learn that Clear Channel digital billboards have been credited with the apprehension of more than 25 criminals!
The FBI and Clear Channel began the program three years ago but it now runs in more than 40 states and involves other digital-billboard providers who offer easily changeable content and content management systems. The messages draw attention to kidnap victims, missing children, violent criminals and bank robbers.