The trucks bearing Madison Scott's missing posters may have been banned from a provincial government display area, but they can still be seen at prominent business locations all over Prince George.
A vehicle emblazoned with the information of the missing Vanderhoof youth had been parked, with Ministry of Transportation approval, at the corner of Highway 16 and 97 until someone from within the local car sales industry (identity not disclosed) complained that it was too much of an advertisement for the car company involved. The vehicle was owned by the Northland group operated by Brent Marshall.
Marshall turned instead to the local business community to help get the message of the missing girl out. Now, a number of vehicles have been decalled with the Madison Scott disappearance message and are being parked at high-visibility spots across the city.
The vehicle at the highway junction was emblazoned with
"Northland Dodge"; the latest trucks are not.
"I think anybody would want to help, and Brent comes through our stores quite frequently, so we got talking, and we saw that yeah, this is a way we can help," said Carol Beebe, proprietor of five Tim Horton's locations accepting vehicles on a rotational basis.
"Just as a parent, I couldn't not do it. I feel for the family. I hope it works to generate some tips. We have had posters up in our locations for quite a while and we just really hope information comes in."
McDonald's Restaurants, Earl's Restaurant, Dairy Queen and others have joined the effort.
"Great to see the support of this community," said Marshall. "It's what makes PG great."
Scott, 20, went missing on May 28 from a campsite at Hogsback Lake were she was attending a party.
Anyone with information about Scott's disappearance is asked to call the Vanderhoof RCMP at (250) 567-2222. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Crime Stoppers offers additional rewards for helpful information.
