Minnesota Legislature
House passes Blue Alert apprehension assistance proposal
Instead of just relying on the traditional news sources and social media to get out information in future incidents, supporters of a bill passed 129-0 Monday by the House would like to piggyback on the successful Amber Alert system that is used to locate missing children whose lives may be in danger.
Sponsored by Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center), HF12 would create a Blue Alert system to disseminate urgent information to the public to help identify, locate and apprehend someone suspected of killing or seriously injuring a law enforcement officer. Such a system is already in use in 20 states.
The bill now goes to the Senate where it is sponsored by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria).
“It would give some extra eyes and ears to watch out for these folks,” Cornish said.
When an Amber Alert is activated, information is sent out via text, email or fax through various means, including the Minnesota Crime Alert Network, the emergency alert system, social media and Department of Transportation road signs. There have been 28 Amber Alerts issued in Minnesota since 2001, with all children recovered.
Because it would use the existing Amber Alert system network, the Blue Alert proposal is projected to have no cost to the state.
Related Articles
Search Session Daily
Advanced Search OptionsPriority Dailies
Ways and Means Committee OKs proposed $512 million supplemental budget on party-line vote
By Mike Cook
Meeting more needs or fiscal irresponsibility is one way to sum up the differences among the two parties on a supplemental spending package a year after a $72 billion state budg...
Minnesota’s projected budget surplus balloons to $3.7 billion, but fiscal pressure still looms
By Rob Hubbard
Just as Minnesota has experienced a warmer winter than usual, so has the state’s budget outlook warmed over the past few months.
On Thursday, Minnesota Management and Budget...
