Taxi Driver Online

Evening Times (Glasgow)

December 20, 2007 Thursday
Final Edition

New screen bid to boost city safety

POLICE are wheeling out the latest technology to help shoppers and revellers get home safely from the centre of Glasgow.

Agiant mobile screen is being used to flash safety messages to the public and it is hoped it will become a permanent city feature.

Police had wanted to launch a pilot project involving the LED screen - it measures 12ft by seven feet - but couldn't afford the rental costs.

So senior officers approached ScottishPower which has agreed to sponsor the project for GBP10,000.

The utility giant believes if adverts involving city firms can be agreed then enough cash can be raised to continue with the project indefinitely.

The screen is being used to remind shoppers - and particularly clubbers - to keep money aside to pay for a taxi or bus ride home.

Police are also displaying warnings when a taxi rank has a lengthy queue and giving directions to another nearby.

Police Commander David Christie said: "We welcome the opportunity from ScottishPower to trial this mobile LED screen."

The Glasgow utility giant's corporate services director Stephen Dunn said: "ScottishPower is happy to cover the initial monthly cost of the screen - roughly GBP10,000.

"If the trial is successful we will look at facilitating covering the ongoing costs with advertising revenue."
____________________