Sexual Predator Gets Priceless PR With U-Haul Message

9-14-2011 Florida:

Registered As Homeless, Man Uses Resources On Publicity Stunt

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A U-Haul truck with the attention-grabbing writing that prompted an evacuation of several downtown buildings Monday morning was recently purchased by Edgar Bushey, West Palm Beach police said.

Bushey is a registered sexual predator who is listed as homeless with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

While Bushey can't give deputies a physical address, he can buy a truck, the banner and pay $500 in a monthly parking fee, police said.

This is a classic statement by someone who believes that, income dictates whether or not a person can have a physical residence, and ignores that, registrants are denied renting places because of the registry. This person wants folks to believe that Bushey is purposely misusing his income!

Written on the side of the U-Haul truck was, "Google: EDGAR BUSHEY. FRANK BAKER, PBSO LIED AND DID NO INVESTIGATION. I WOULD LIKE A REAL INVESTIGATION! SHEA CHARLES SAID NO. WHAT PART OF NO DON'T I UNDERSTAND?"

The message implies that a jury was wrong in 1996 when Bushey was convicted of sexual battery on a girl under 12.

Bushey's message made it on all the local television newscasts.

"He got all the networks to cover it and do the story on a couple of news cycles," said Rebecca Seelig, who runs her own public relations firm, PBPR. She represents events, schools, country clubs and charities.

"I don't think he thought it was going to go to the extent that it did," said Seelig of Bushey’s truck.

She said what he did get was priceless television coverage.

"This type of guerilla marketing sometimes does work," said Seelig. "Because people will take notice. Because people want to know what is going on and what his cause is and why does he think the police didn't do the proper action."

But, as far as the stunt, it’s one she would never advise for a client as it brought a costly investigation, inconvenience and fear.

"You want to bring awareness. But harmful disruption I don't think serves the purpose," Seelig said. ..Source.. by Cathleen O'Toole, Reporter