Council supports “Blue Alert” for law enforcement

February 27, 2012

Summary

Encouraging state Legislature to create public alert system for incidents regarding law enforcement officers

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today gave its unanimous support in urging the Washington State Legislature to act on a bill creating a “Blue Alert” system for law enforcement officers.

“Passing Blue Alert this year should be a priority for the Legislature,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, the sponsor of the motion. “These past few years have been especially dangerous for law enforcement, and a Blue Alert system will go a long way in helping to protect first responders and the public at large.”

The motion urges the Legislation to adopt HB 1820 and establish a “Blue Alert” notification system. Modeled after AMBER alerts, Blue alerts would use media resources to inform the public about crucial information regarding suspects who have seriously injured or killed law enforcement officers. If adopted, Washington would join seven other states that have created their own law enforcement notification system.

“I offer my thanks to Councilmember Reagan Dunn and the King County Council for supporting Blue Alert,” said State Representative Mike Hope, prime sponsor of HB 1820. “King County’s motion is adding to the momentum we need to pass HB 1820 this year.”

“Passage of HB 1820 would join Washington with eleven other states across the nation that have implemented Blue Alert,” said Troy Meyers, President of the Washington chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (WAStateC.O.P.S.). “By passing this motion, King County is showing its support for the brave men and women who protect the public and ensure those that do harm to our protectors are quickly captured.”

In 2010, Dunn sponsored a Council motion urging the Legislature to pass the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act which placed on the ballot a constitutional amendment giving judges the ability to deny bail to those facing a life sentence. The constitutional amendment passed with 85 percent of the vote.