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Alert system would help find suspects
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Ohio would create a new statewide alert system to spread information about individuals who harm or kill officers, under legislation approved in the Ohio Senate on Wednesday.
The new Statewide Blue Alert Program would broadcast descriptions of alleged perpetrators of such crimes to aid in their arrest.
“It is important to note that these are the violent criminals, the worst kind,” said Sen. Tom Patton, a Republican from Cleveland and co-sponsor of the legislation. “If a violent criminal does not hesitate in not harming a law-enforcement officer, surely he would not delay in doing the same to an [average citizen].”
Senate Bill 258 passed on a unanimous vote of 33-0 and heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.
Sen. Gayle Manning, a Republican from North Ridgeville and the other co-sponsor of the bill, said the system would be activated whenever a local, state or federal law enforcement officer is injured or killed or if an officer were missing.
The system would be similar to Amber Alerts, which rapidly disseminate information about missing and/or abducted children.
Other states, including Alabama, Florida, California and Virginia, have implemented comparable alert systems, and the U.S. Congress is considering adopting a nationwide Blue Alert system.