[EAS] Blue Alerts

[Phil Johnson]

The stated purpose of Blue Alerts is to "help [provide] Law Enforcement the means to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers."

Blue Alerts do not warn of imminent danger to the public.  Therefore, they have no place in the Emergency Alert System.  They do not merit an EAS Alert event code - LEW or anything else.  And I say this is as the father of a 15-year Seattle Police Officer.

Washington State publicizes Blue Alerts through the news media and other means, but without using EAS (anybody out there believe the media won't immediately be all over an attack on a cop?).  And that's the way it should be.  EAS is a warning system, not a public information vehicle.

Phil Johnson
Chair, Central Puget Sound LECC
Member, Washington SECC