A Blue Alert is an emergency notification system created by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). It activates when a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, or is missing in the line of duty, and the suspect is still at large.
The goal of a Blue Alert is to quickly spread information to the public to help locate the suspect before they can escape or harm more people.
When a Blue Alert is issued, the suspect’s information and any relevant details of the crime are sent in a statewide broadcast through radio, TV, cell phones, and electronic road signs. It is important to note that the Blue Alert is not an Amber Alert, which is used to locate abducted children.
In addition to its use for officers in the line of duty, a Blue Alert can also be issued for an officer who has become the victim of an aggravated assault or serious felony. The Texas Blue Alert Plan was enacted in 2008, and since then has been successful in helping to notify the public and apprehend suspects of violent crimes against law enforcement officers.
What are the different Texas alerts?
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) offers emergency alerts for various situations. These alerts are designed to keep citizens informed of any changes to their safety or the safety of their property in accordance with the Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) mission.
The various emergency alerts are:
• Wall-to-Wall Emergency Alert: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of a rapidly changing situation, such as a tornado.
• Weather Alert: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of an imminent adverse weather condition such as a hurricane, winter storm, or flooding event.
• Civil Emergency Message: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of a potential threat to public health, such as an oil spill or hazardous material leak.
• Amber Alert: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of the abduction or possible abduction of a child. Amber Alerts are issued when law enforcement believes the child is in imminent danger.
• Natural Disaster Alert: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of a natural disaster such as e earthquakes, wildfires, or floods.
• Suspicious Activity Alert: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of suspicious activity within their community that could pose a threat to their physical or financial security. This alert may include reports of suspicious packages, suspicious people, or suspicious vehicles.
• Missing Senior Alert: This type of emergency alert is used to warn the public of a missing senior citizen. This alert is issued when a law enforcement agency believes the missing senior citizen is in imminent danger.
What is an FBI Blue Alert?
An FBI Blue Alert is a nationwide public alert system launched in 2015 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to quickly locate and apprehend violent criminals who have killed or seriously injured a law enforcement officer, or pose an imminent threat to cause death or serious harm to another law enforcement officer.
The alert system is similar to other nationwide alerts such as the Amber alert or the Silver alert and uses the same media and alerting protocols. The FBI Blue Alert also supports alerts from state and local agencies.
When the alert is activated, it immediately notifies law enforcement in the surrounding area, as well as the public through media outlets, social media and press releases. The Blue Alert also provides information to the public regarding the suspect, vehicle and any other information that could help to apprehend the suspect.
Additionally, the FBI Blue Alert helps to rally support and solicit tips from the public.
What is a GREY alert?
A GREY alert is an emergency notification system for missing adult endangered individuals. It is specifically reserved for issuing an alert for an individual 18 years of age or older who is missing and believed to be in danger due to age, health, or a threatening circumstance and may require immediate medical attention.
This alert is activated when someone that fits this criteria is reported missing and local law enforcement have exhausted all leads and are uncertain of the individual’s whereabouts. The alert is then issued to the public in the hopes that someone will be able to provide information to either help locate the individual or provide new leads for the investigation.
Information on the individual can include a physical description, any known medical issues, and the circumstances in which they were last seen.
Why did I get an emergency alert on my phone today?
Emergency alerts are notifications sent out by public safety officials in order to quickly inform citizens of local emergencies such as extreme weather events, Amber alerts, or natural disasters. If you received an alert on your phone today, it is likely that there is an emergency situation in your area and public safety officials are asking you to take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety.
It is important to take these alerts seriously and take the necessary steps to safeguard yourself and your family. It is also important to stay up to date with the emergency by monitoring local news sources.
Additionally, it is important to follow whatever instructions are given in the emergency alert if necessary.
What is a local law enforcement blue alert?
A local law enforcement blue alert is an emergency notification system that provides immediate information to the public when a law enforcement officer is injured or killed in the line of duty, or when a suspect or suspects responsible for the crime are considered to be a threat to public safety.
Blue alerts, sometimes referred to as “be on the lookout,” or BOLL alerts, are typically used by local police departments and law enforcement agencies, while higher-level blue alert systems are coordinated and operated by state, regional, and national governments.
The purpose of blue alerts is to quickly and accurately disseminate vital information to the public in order to help locate or capture dangerous suspects or warn the public of potential threats. Blue alerts consist of any text-based or digital message distributed through newspapers, television, websites, digital billboards, email, or other forms of communication.
These messages typically provide a description of the suspect, their location, and any danger they may present, as well as other relevant information.