COLUMBIA (WACH) - Beginning Monday the Richland County Sheriff’s Department launched its latest campaign to catch wanted suspects by plastering their photos all across the Midlands.
“It’s a great way to get information out in a very effective and efficient manner,” said Captain Chris Cowan with RCSD.
According to officials the nine billboards will feature the faces of those who failed to register as sex offenders, which is require by law in South Carolina.
“It’s a great way for us to get it out there on these digital billboards that are placed all over the community and for people to see them and say hey I know where that individual is,” said Cowan.
The technique has been a huge success with RCSD in capturing other wanted individuals and is made possible by a partnership with CRIMESTOPPERS and Lamar Advertising.
“Here and in various places across the country it’s proven to be a very useful tool for law enforcement,” said Scott Shockley, General Manager of Lamar Advertising.
Lamar said the company has been doing digital ads like the ones across the Midlands for the past four years. He said it’s the easiest and fastest way to spread information to the public.
"It's very nimble it's something that can be put out there very quickly so there's be case after case across the country where people have turned themselves in family members have turned in someone they know that has been showcase on the billboard," said Shockley.
The first billboards feature Brandon Brooks (DOB 7-28-86) and Donald E. Taft (DOB 8-26-86).
As the offenders are captured, new fugitives will replace the old ones.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of these fugitives should contact 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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