The billboard asking for help in the search for Susan Cox Powell is finally up in the Salt Lake Valley.
The billboard can be found along the 201 Highway in Magna. If it’s not near you, don’t despair. Reagan Outdoor Advertising, which donated the billboard, will move the message every couple months to a new location (mostly on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley). Odds are you’ll see it at some point in its “tour” during the year.
In fact, a lot of people should see it. That’s the point.
Some have said the billboard is too little, too late. Their theory is that it might have done some good in the first days or even weeks of Susan’s disappearance, but now we’re just too far removed from the event (six months and counting) and memories have faded.
Two counterpoints:
- When it comes to a disappearance, certainly sooner is better in everything. But both the West Valley Police Department and the Susan Cox Powell Foundation are to be commended for their working hard in to get this billboard deal done. It is never too late unless the case has already been solved.
- The billboard is needed now more than ever so people will not forget. There are so many positive things that can happen when the public remains engaged in an issue. This helps.
As much as I hate to admit it, not everyone has seen my stories on Susan over the past few months. Nor have they read all that’s been printed in newspapers or all that’s been spoken on radio. The billboard will extend the reach of the message: “This young mother is still missing. Please help.”
You never know what will be the “one thing” that breaks this case wide open, so you try everything.
Six months later is not “too late.”
