If you see something on TV, say something

Everyone loves the MTA’s security campaigns. They’re great for everything from funny pictures of dogs and ad campaign knock-offs to cheesy MTA-related blog headlines to graffiti (such as the doctored poster I saw once that said “Bush is still president, say something”).

Now, the MTA is expanded the “see something, say something” ad campaign out of the subways and buses and on to your TV screens. With 1944 tips last year, the MTA is hoping to expand the program, and beginning this month, 10-second TV spots will hit the airwaves over 4000 times until November. The ads (which you can view here) urge citizens to keep up the good work reporting abandoned backpacks and suspicious packages.

The MTA’s press releases tells us that this campaign will cost approximately $3 million. The 10,000 posters in the MTA’s system will be joined with 84 ads in 11 regional newspapers and the TV spots on New York’s major English and Spanish-language TV networks.

“As recent incidents from around the world have taught us, the public can play a vital role in helping to identify a threat. Engaging the eyes and ears of the ridership continues to be essential in developing a true security partnership,” Michael Balboni, deputy secretary for public safety for New York State, said in the MTA’s statement.

So there you have it, folks. Three-million dollars spent on TV ads while the subways themselves remain insecure. I’m all for educating the public about proper anti-terrorism messages, but at one point do we say, “Enough is enough” and invest the money spent on public awareness campaigns back into protecting the system?