KECT TV Report On Illegal Billboards in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is what happens when billboards become completely out of control. We’ve discussed the issue previously in:
Fuel Outdoor Suffers Huge Defeat as US Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Metro Lights Decision
And recently we noted that Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight launched this blog to track illegal billboards and tell the public about them. An LA resident named David Allan even launched this blog to fight one particular sign at 10801 National Blvd.
The billboard situation in LA was exacerbated when LA City Solicitor Rocky Delgadillo (photo above) signed a disastrous agreement with Clear Channel and CBS allowing them to keep their illegal billboards and convert their existing signs into digital screens without having to comply with the LA sign codes.
Meanwhile, KECT TV, the most-watched public television station in the US, has just produced part three in its fascinating investigation of billboards in Los Angeles:
We sometimes get the feeling that Los Angeles is where Toronto would be in twenty years if nobody keeps tabs on things.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Before you erase my comment Rami… take a deep breath.
The city of LA has dug itself into a deep hole since they have that deal with ClearChannel and CBS.
You can not have selective enforcement in the US.
So, good luck to the city of LA.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
The city of L.A. has brought grief upon itself, but much of the problem has been rogue companies like Fuel Outdoor, nee Metrolights, World Wide Rush, Sky Tag, et al, that have pursued a strategy of putting up signs wherever they want without permits, then suing the city to block enforcement, throwing up a potpourri of constitutional claims in hopes that one will stick, or, that the city will become exhausted and make a favorable settlement. Fuel Outdoor lost in the 9th circuit, and should be forced to bankrupt itself disgorging the millions it made in its unsuccessful gamble. Which would send a message to other companies thinking of doing the same.