[EAS] BLU Alert Comments.

[Phil Johnson]

I believe the two sides to this discussion are (1) facts and (2) politics.

FACTS:

1. LE agencies nationwide have quick and effective methods to inform each
other of actual and potential attacks on officers.  All-points bulletins
have been around since Dragnet and Teletype machines.  Technology and speed
have improved dramatically since then, and EAS has nothing to offer in
police interagency communication.

2. The existing "LEW" Alert Code (Law Enforcement Warning) is well-suited to
the proposed purpose and signals high urgency.  It can be used to warn the
public about someone who has attacked or plans to attack police, and to
advise citizens to "report sighting but do not approach" a subject
individual, all at the LE agency's discretion.

3. Police departments also have the means to separately inform other
agencies and the public -- short of EAS -- as they deem appropriate.

4. Despite comments by the FCC Chairman, an EAS "BLU" Alert Code would not
have saved the lives of police officers tragically killed during recent
years in New York, Seattle, or elsewhere.  If an LE agency doesn't know
about the danger of an attack, it can't decide to activate EAS.

POLITICS:

1. This proposal is simply an attempt by elected and appointed politicians
to con the public into believing they're "doing something" about attacks on
police officers.  It's a BS political feel-good measure that will do nothing
to solve the problem.  More charitably, some of these officials may be
unaware of the facts (or don't want to acknowledge them). 

2. The FCC will adopt this proposal -- but shouldn't.

Phil Johnson, Chair
Central Puget Sound (WA) LECC