(03/13/07) HARTFORD ? State lawmakers announced a deal with a private advertising company Tuesday to expand the reach of AMBER alerts.

The new deal, reached with Lamar Advertising, will broadcast AMBER alert information to the company?s five privately owned electronic billboards in Connecticut. Currently, all AMBER alert information goes to media outlets and Department of Transportation electronic highway signs. House Speaker Jim Amman (D-118th District) says the agreement represents another way technology can be used to fight crime. According to Amman, ?it just makes sense.?

The AMBER alert system was adopted in Connecticut in 2003. It has not been used since 2005.