Governor Hochul Signs Blue Alert Legislation
Governor Hochul, on Friday, December 16th, 2022, signed legislation to crack down on violent crimes against police officers. Legislation (S.772A/A.6318B) establishes a Blue Alert System to aid in the identification, location, and apprehension of individuals suspected of killing or seriously wounding a police officer. This new law will reportedly help catch perpetrators, and improve public safety across the state by creating a better way to disseminate information.
Governor Huchul said in a press release: “We are taking a comprehensive approach towards protecting the individuals who serve and protect us, taking every measure we can to crack down on violent crime against law enforcement. New York is wholly committed to safeguarding our brothers and sisters in law enforcement and this new law will be crucial to creating safer communities and apprehending those who commit violent crimes against police officers.”
A Blue Alert is issued to notify law enforcement agencies, media, and the public about suspects who have killed, seriously injured, or pose an imminent threat to police. This system will help catch perpetrators that threaten public safety by establishing a better way to disseminate information on crime against police officers to the public.
New York Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli said, “Law enforcement is known for being a dangerous profession. However, officers choose this profession because they believe in public service, helping others and putting the public ahead of themselves. Each call to service brings its own set of challenges and officers never know for certain what they will face. By establishing a Blue Alert System, we can better protect law enforcement from individuals who are looking to inflict harm on officers who have committed their lives to protecting others.”
Assembly member Steven Stern said, “I was proud to sponsor and pass this critically important legislation in support of the brave men and women of law enforcement, who sacrifice so much to keep all of us safe. The Blue Alert System has a proven track record of success nationwide and its implementation is long overdue in New York State.”
In 2015, Congress passed the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act; named in honor of two New York City police officers killed in an ambush attack on December 20, 2014. Blue Alerts can be transmitted via wireless devices and through the emergency alert system, and can also be transmitted to televisions & radio stations, cellphone & wireless devices, overhead highway signs, and other secondary alerting mechanisms in the same way that Amber Alerts are commonly issued. This bill was unanimously passed and signed into law by Governor Hochul.