During the past two months, zoning inspectors have issued dozens of citations to owners of illegal billboards. Among the most prominent are the signs that spoil the skies in Overtown and Wynwood, east of I-95. Following this newspaper's inquiries, the city manager's office responded by instructing code enforcers to launch a widespread reconnaissance operation. So far the city has issued violation notices to owners of at least 30 outlaw signs. But these reinvigorated troops need help.
Billboard companies are likely to resort to lawsuits and other tactics to thwart the assault.
A mobilized citizenry armed with telephones and e-mail could perhaps provide valuable reinforcement with, say, barrages of phone calls and letters to CEOs of those who would pollute the Miami panorama. It is no secret that the outdoor advertising industry views your cityscape as nothing more than a vast billboard-delivery system. 80,000 eyeballs visit this site daily. It is an uncomfortable reminder that the most valuable product firms like Eller Media, Infinity Outdoor, and others are selling is you. But you probably think of yourself as more than a pair of ojos .